I spent most my life as a Penn and ABU guy and tended to just follow the crowd when it came to equipment. Growing up on South Texas piers and jetties you would see mostly Penn from 109 to 16/0. There would be a few of those white Garcias and this one guy who swore by Ocean City. He was kind of snooty about it too and would take every opportunity to tell you in exhaustive detail why his Ocean Citys are better than your Penns. Despite all his preaching, there were few, if any, deciples.
Part of it was probably just availability. In our town there was one hardware store and one tackle shop that carried a lot of fishing equipment and reels. Both had the full line of Penn but no Ocean City. It was a situation that fed on itself because if everybody had or wanted Ocean City then that is what the stores would have on the shelf. If you wanted an Ocean City you had to cut the coupon out of a magazine and mail it in to receive a catalog. When the catalog arrived you would fill out the order form and mail it in with a money order or cashiers check. All told, it would be a month or more before you had the reel in hand.
Fast forward to here and now. Here on AT, Mike C. (aka Penn Chronology) has been filling in the details of the Ocean City and Penn relationship. It is clear that Mike has spent a lot of time investigating and pondering this relationship and how the situation has unfolded. Always the follower, I began picking up and dissecting a few OC reels knowing that the history of each one would be described in detail once Mike's new Ocean City book came out. I was not disappointed either because the Ocean City book is every bit as informative as his earlier Penn books with the added bonus of a great mystery, Penn vs. Ocean City.
Much of the AT site is devoted to Penn reels; how to date, repair, modify, collect, etc. The cream-of-the-crop of Penn collectors and mechanics are right here among us. There are six different discussion areas devoted to Penn. By comparison, there is hardly a mention of Ocean City. In that respect, AT is a reflection of the history of the two companies and the great mystery of Penn vs. Ocean City.
Just to stir the pot, sink a spur into the side of Penn affectionados, and spark further discussion consider that:
- Ocean City reels are built better than Penn Reels. The genious of Otto Henze was not coming up with new concepts, but rather, how to take manufacturing short cuts and cheapen a product without the consumer knowing it.
- The Ocean City product line was much more diverse than Penn. Ocean City had a reel for every situation and occasion. All the effort to modify penn reels by widening or narrowing had already been done at the factory by Ocean City.
- Ocean City was a much more innovative company than Penn. Many things we take for granted today were invented at Ocean City.
- It was only happenstance and marketing that allowed Penn to survive long enough to send their production overseas while Ocean City perished.
-steve
The OC's are indeed excellent, historical, and durable reels, Steve --
Possibly the main problem has always been (like most other reel manufacturers that have left us) --
Is the non-availability of replacement parts.
Most of these OC reels are currently dirt cheap to purchase, IMO.
Penn had the marketing, and a mindset that would allow replacement parts to be both available for decades -- as well as interchange between models in many cases.
I might have 100 +/- in a few crates -- they make good lamps.
Others will have different and more interesting opinions.
Good subject, Steve!
Best,
Fred
Otto Henze did work at Ocean city for a few years, and may have used similar ideas in his early reels, but saying a Penn is a cheapened up ocean city is not backed up by any statistics. Penn found a market nitch in midst of the depression, and by simplifying design making Penns more affordable to the masses. It's no mistake that Penn holds more IFGA world records than any other reel. The same simple design is still used in many modern day Penns
I have worked on many of both makes. I find that while the earlier O.C.'s are of excellent quality, the later 600 series, to me, was very disappointing. I felt that the quality had suffered in a possible attempt to lower the price to compete with Penn. As for the number of models available, O.C. went crazy. Their number of model offerings was so numerous that it became confusing as to which model was needed for what kind of fishing! As for Penn, the smaller amount of choices with quality reels that could be used for a variety of fishing types and conditions made the choice much easier. Buying any Penn reel, for what ever kind of fishing you chose, you were assured of a quality product. It's true that Mr. Henze started off at the O.C. factory and then opened Penn, but I don't believe it was as a cheaper "knock-off" but an improved reel from what O.C. was producing at a more affordable price. Much like Henry Ford and the model "T". A good reliable car or reel, at an affordable price. In taking the two different reels apart, it's easy to see a few quick differences on the heads. The one thing that jumps out as time goes on is that the Penn reel stayed relatively the same from year to year and model to model with relatively few minor changes. O.C. kept changing things as if they just couldn't find the right combination. This information is of course ONLY my personal opinion. I am not saying that the earlier O.C.'s were not a fine quality reel, they were indeed. I believe that O.C. just didn't know how to compete with Penn and their efforts to do so we're not working for business.
We've all seen with many types of products that making a quality, well-built offering is no guarantee of long term success by the manufacturer without the necessary business skills to back it up.
Frank
Shoot. I was expecting more irate responses.
Anyway, here's a 150 yard OC Quaker City. I believe it to be from 1931 to 1935.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERa.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERa.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERb.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERb.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERc.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERc.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERd.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERd.jpg)
It has a Koph-type clutch similar to some early Penn reels. The eccentric lever rotates the entire bridge moving the main gear away from the pinion to disengage them. The yoke-type clutch had not yet appeared. Everything else you should recognize. Bakelite and plated brass.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERe.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERe.jpg)
I don't know what those drag washers are made of. It's not leather. More like some sort of early plastic.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERf.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERf.jpg)
This rendition of the Quaker City was advertised as a lite reel suitable for weakfish, bonefish and muskie. I've never caught a muskie but have caught plenty of weakfish and bonefish and cannot imagine going after them with a giant reel like this. The difference is not the reel capacity per se but the thick linen line that would have been put on it.
It is called a 150 yard reel without mention of the line size. 150 yards of 12-thread cuttyhunk linen seemed to fill it perfectly. Twelve thread linen is very roughly 36 pound test.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on February 24, 2020, 09:45:26 AM
This rendition of the Quaker City was advertised as a lite reel suitable for weakfish, bonefish and muskie. I've never caught a muskie but have caught plenty of weakfish and bonefish and cannot imagine going after them with a giant reel like this. The difference is not the reel capacity per se but the thick linen line that would have been put on it.
Everything in the known universe seems to start out big...and then get small. When I was a kid candy bars were a foot long. Now they are the size of a breath mint. Look at the transformation of a Cadillac. TV dinners started out a full size meal, and became tiny entrees. Even a dying red giant star becomes a tiny white dwarf. The only thing that actually gets bigger with time is my belly...now I'm rambling...and I've lost my beer...8)
Pour your coffee in the cup, add a little cream, or creamer, add a little sugar, or sweetener, and then, mix it all together with a "Steve Stick". :D
I like your style, Stevie! ;)
A long time client of mine fishes 2-3 day trips out of SoCal a few times a year.
80% of the time he primarily fishes Ocean City reels on these trips.
That is what his dad taught him on and used -- so it is kind of a sentimental deal.
He is no Pilgrim -- he is a very good & skilled fisherman -- and enjoys it when he out-fishes his buddies on trips.
Old school...
Everyone else makes fun of him when he pulls out the "Old Meat in the Pot" bumper-car A/R Ocean City reels.
They stop laughing when the fish start coming over the rail.
Of course, they are always serviced before each season and also have CF drags greased with Cal's.
I purposely keep a few extra reels for him to use for parts, if necessary. These reels are tough -- about all that ever wears out are the handle crank knobs and once a stand twisted. The older OC's are stronger than the later ones.
Best,
Fred
I got this ocean city,schullz,freeport it's a 150yd,,,,, :D I did come across a Schulz mia hardware store in freeport in 1922,,,,,, ??? Doesn't make sense,,,,, ;) but I like the reel and you never know ocean city might make a come back,,,,, :o just like Indian motorcycles,,,,,hehe,,,,,,,,,, ;D
Quote from: Benni3 on February 25, 2020, 01:03:55 AM
I got this ocean city,schullz,freeport it's a 150yd,,,,, :D I did come across a Schulz mia hardware store in freeport in 1922,,,,,, ??? Doesn't make sense,,,,, ;) but I like the reel and you never know ocean city might make a come back,,,,, :o just like Indian motorcycles,,,,,hehe,,,,,,,,,, ;D
Schultz Novelty & Sporting Goods Co. 122 Nassau St. New York City. They had what was called a "Branch:", 5 West Sunrise Highway, Freeport, L. I. Schultz also badged some Penn reels. Schultz didn't want the manufacturer's name on their badged reels.
Quote from: oc1 on February 24, 2020, 09:45:26 AM
Shoot. I was expecting more irate responses.
-steve
Steve, were all to old to get that excited and our blood pressure medication would go haywire.
i keep on looking back on these older reels and wonder what it would have been like if stainless steel had been the standard for these reels. it looks like stainless steel has been around since 1913 i'm certain some had done the math and figured out that it wasn't worth it, but imagine what it would be like if all the metal parts in an ocean city were stainless!
OC1 -- Ocean City #1? Have you been hiding it all these years?
The name has always been near and dear to me, having spent many summers as a kid in Ocean City, New Jersey. Ocean City Maryland isn't too bad either.
Here on top is a 100 yard Quaker City of the same vintage. Everything is the same except for width.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/QUAKERg.jpg)
I don't know why not stainless. Unless, it is just more difficult to work with than brass.
Here, an OC1 is a one-man outrigger canoe. My primary means of transport.
Philadelphia is known as Quaker City because they settled there first after fleeing religious persecution. "Quaker" was a originally a derogatory euphemism for the Religious Society of Friends because of their ecstatic fits. They would quake in their boots. Something like that wouldn't be politically correct today.
-steve
:o I grew up with ocean city . It was a time when reels were heavy and bullet proof as were the rods they sat on .
For me fishing came full circle , I am back to old heavy rigs , i like the way they feel balance while holding them.
This little reel is so cute that I had to get it. A 100 yard OC St. Lucie model 979b. Apparently, it was only made in 1950; the year I was born so, yeah.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979a.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979a.jpg)
As received:
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979b.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979b.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979c.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979c.jpg)
The rounded shoulders on the bakelite side plates was a 1950 thing and was only found on a few models. The double green handle knobs were only on a few models too.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979d.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979d.jpg)
You would never know it is in the St. Lucie series unless you see the box or read Mike's book. Instead of St. Lucie, the bottom is stamped "MOD B". Since they were only made for a year you have to wonder if there was a MOD A.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979e.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979e.jpg)
It has a yoke-and-jack-type clutch but it's so over-built you may not recognize it at first.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979f.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979f.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979g.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979g.jpg)
The guts. Instead of having a cut-out in the pinion gear to catch the spool, the pinion nests in a robust collar with four projections to catch the spool.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979h.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979h.jpg)
I couldn't get it back together with crumbled leather drag washers. The easy thing to do was make new ones.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979i.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979i.jpg)
This is handy. The journal bushings can be completely removed and replaced.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979j.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979j.jpg)
A size comparison of the 979 (on top) with a Penn No.9, 146 and 1/0
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979k.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979k.jpg)
This not my box. I stole the photo somewhere.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979l.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OC979l.jpg)
The older 100 yard Quaker City shown above is much larger than the 100 yard 979. The Quaker City was sized to accept 100 yards of linen line (roughly 36 lb test). The 979 is sized to accept braided nylon line. 100 yards of 27 lb test fit perfectly. You have to wonder exactly when they changed the standard sizes in response to improvements in the line. It may have changed again when braided nylon was being replaced by monofilament nylon. By the time braided spectra came along, they had given up and no longer used line capacity to describe reel sizes (100 yd., 200 yd., etc.)
-steve
Thanks for posting Steve, the dog spring under bridge is interesting - any chance you have a photo of the dog set up on the top side?
Mike
Nice small reel, looks stout. I like that Harnell in the picture, I'm rebuilding one for surf fishing now, first time I've seen one with the reel seat threads up
I'll have to take a photo Mike. The dog pivots on that sleeve that accepts the bridge screw. The sleeve makes things much more secure than just threating the bridge into the thin bridge plate. The dog is wider than what we're used to and has a post coming out of the side. That post extends through the bridge plate and attaches to the spring. I soaked and cleaned it without removing the dog so that spring would not fly away.
I don't think I'd seen one either Sheridan. If I'm going to use a reel seat I like the threads to be on top (down lock) so you are not holding the slippery threads when casting.
-steve
A similar dog from a different reel. If you've seen one you've seen them all. But I still didn't remove the spring.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline1.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline1.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline2.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline2.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline3.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline3.jpg)
The bridge came out of here:
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline4.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline4.jpg)
It's a two-hundred yard size Ocean City Monoline Model 949 with bluish grey colored side plates. Note the steel gears. Yeah, it's like deja vu all over again.
The Penn Monofil with colored side plates are from 1954-1955. The Ocean City Monoline with colored side plates came out in 1956. There were several sizes of each. Clearly, Ocean City followed Penn's success. The were both following the mid-century modern look and plastics technology.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline5.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline5.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline6.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/monoline6.jpg)
Mike C. says the Penn and OC colored side plates were all made with melamine resin. Melamine is naturally very light in color so it can be deeply pigmented. The Bakelite made with phenolic resin is naturally reddish brown in color (like tobacco rods). If phenolic resin is pigmented the resulting color will be muddy so the options are usually black and dark maroon.
Melamine was being used to make Formica countertops and dishes during this period too. There were five kids in our family so the new unbreakable dishes were a big deal.
-steve
http://whitefishpress.com/bookdetail/249 (http://whitefishpress.com/bookdetail/249)
Thanks for the detailed photos Steve, I've seen the dog design before - Sal's great post of his 'OC Inductor 250' break-down a couple of years back featured one but the dog 'in place' was partially hidden in the photos.
It looks like a compact set up that would suit double dogging small reels providing there is enough clearance between the bridge and spool for the spring arrangement - something to think about when I finish making sawdust ;D
Mike
Thanks for the pic Steve, nice detail, nice little reel, I have a Ocean city bay City, in my cabinet, cheers Don.
Quote from: mhc on February 28, 2020, 11:00:17 AM
Sal's great post of his 'OC Inductor 250' break-down a couple of years back featured one
Seen one you've seen them all. The Inductor is also early '50s and, to my mind, was revolutionary. Penn had no equal.
Don, I'm looking for it in your cabinet photo now.
-s
Good Steve, third shelf, third from the left, that is the reel Crow sent me along with the sears6 4376, the sears reel is not in the cabinet, cheers Don.
I have 3 OC reels that I have on at my office cabinet
112, 981 and a little 1600
One of the things I really like about the OC's are the handle lock-nut/wrench and the knock-down eccentric lever on some models.
Not too sure about the moveable bridge-plate (in liu of a yoke)system. Wouldn't that be weaker than a 4 screw secured bridge-plate like Penn's have and some OC's have?
As it arrived. The knob looks like wood but it is plastic.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962a.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962a.jpg)
Marked Montague. Ocean City owned Montague.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962b.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962b.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962c.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962c.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962d.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962d.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962e.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962e.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962g.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962g.jpg)
Ocean City supplied a little tube a Lubriplate grease with the reels. Lubriplate is a lithium grease that was very popular in the day. Old Lubriplate grease always looks like this stuff.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962h.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/962h.jpg)
That's a very cool looking color,,,,, :D
This one is my favorite. An OC 988. It's about the same size as the St. Lucie above but has an anodized aluminum spool.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988e.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988e.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988f.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988f.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988g.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988g.jpg)
This example was in fairly good condition. It's sort of a shame what I did to it:
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988h.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988h.jpg)
eight magnets 3/8 inch diameter, 1/8 inch thick, donut shape and countersunk for a 4-40 flathead screw.
I made a medium weight rod for it. One piece, 11 ft., the sweet spot is a two ounce lure.
The process as described here:
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=27258.0 (https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=27258.0)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988a.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988a.jpg)
I had a piece of this dense closed-cell form that is used to mill kayak and canoe seats.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988b.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988b.jpg)
It seemd like it might make good rod grips.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988c.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988c.jpg)
They turned out softer and more squishy than eva foam. Possible, but not my favorite.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988d.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988d.jpg)
The butt grip has a big piece of sheet lead to counterbalance the rod. The foam block is not thick enough to cover the ccunter weight so it had to be made with string.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988k.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988k.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988l.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988l.jpg)
-steve
Nice reel and rod!
Lots of skills right there, I would love to gang with you for a day.
Thanks for sharing, Steve.
Sal
Another great project, Steve !!
Love watching you work, Steve!
Ok, I'll bite. Inherited 2 (maybe 3) OC's - a 107, 993 and 1500/20 (??). I do mostly saltwater, so the last one is destined for the bookshelf or maybe for teaching the grandkids.
Thanks to you all, I dove into the 107 and 993 to get them cleaned up.
The 993 was no problem, just replaced the drag washers (only 2) with HT-100's & Cal's tan. (old on bottom; nu on top in pic)
The 107 was a bit messier - replaced the single thick drag and brass keyed washer sitting on top of the gear (middle pic) with 2 HT-100's and thinner keyed washers. Cleaned & kept the under gear washer. Got it back together, but at tighter star settings drag is slipping some and the retrieve binds. Could it be a spacing (3-stack maybe?) or washer/combo issue? It only has a single spring washer under the star where schematic shows another on top. My bigger problem was no AR dog to be found (bottom pic). I tried some Penn replacements but their mounting holes are all too small for the bridge screw. A dog without a tab on the butt end (for a JM?) looks like the most promising.
Suggestions?
below is a pic of the AR dog on the 993
Check how the dog meshes with the under-gear ratchet.
-steve
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OCdog.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/OCdog.jpg)
Quote from: oc1 on April 02, 2020, 09:20:37 AM
This one is my favorite. An OC 988. It's about the same size as the St. Lucie above but has an anodized aluminum spool.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/988e.jpg)
I have to make a confession... When I saw this post, I immediately went looking for a 988. Found one, made a best offer, and it is on its way.
Steve, I don't know if you answered this before, but your handle, "OC1," does it stand for Ocean City??
Thanks Steve. Looking for a replacement dog for my 107 if anyone can point me right direction. These green anodized spoils are growing on me!
Quote from: Decker on April 09, 2020, 01:30:17 PM
Steve, I don't know if you answered this before, but your handle, "OC1," does it stand for Ocean City??
With Steve being a stickler for the details...I always figured it stood for "obsessive compulsive one".
Or Oci Wan Kenobi?
Sciaenops, you can have the dog in the photo above if it will work. I pulled it out of a bag of loose parts that came with a reel. The spring (on the other side of the bridge plate) is buggered up but still works. PM your address.
OC1 is slang for a one-man outrigger canoe because that's what I fish out of. The user name sucks but I wouldn't know how to change it.
Joe, OC made red anodized spools too.
-steve
Appreciate that, Steve. pm sent
the closest one I had was the 1/2" one in the pic, but mounting hole was just too small.
Keith
I'm going to send you the whole bridge with sleeve and gear. The dog doesn't pivot on the bridge screw like in a Penn. It pivots on its own post pressed into the bridge.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on April 09, 2020, 08:46:01 PM
OC1 is slang for a one-man outrigger canoe because that's what I fish out of. The user name sucks but I wouldn't know how to change it.
So
thats what it means! I don't think it sucks...I'd leave it alone...it is easily identifiable. 8)
QuoteI'm going to send you the whole bridge with sleeve and gear. The dog doesn't pivot on the bridge screw like in a Penn. It pivots on its own post pressed into the bridge.
Cool, thnx, didn't see any evidence of a dog spring/post on backside of my bridge, but I'll give it a shot.
Does that dimple on the bridge plate at about five o'clock in your photo have a post on the other side? I'm going to send it but am not optimistic about it working without doing brain surgery. I don't have a 107 but do have an Inductor and a 935. All are wide-spool 250 yard size. They both have a bridge and dog like the one in my photo but yours is different.
-steve
There are 2 nubs on the other side of the bridge (see pic) which look to have formed matching grooves in side plate. Believe dog/spring setup on this one (107) is similar to my 993 (pictured). Bridge mounting holes are tapped (no retaining nuts like the 993) and shape is a bit different than yours too.
We saw a 988 above. When it was introduced in 1948 they also came out with the 987 shown here: They disappeared from the catalog about 1952.
The 987 spool height, spool width, clutch, tailplate and frame are identical to the 988.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987a.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987a.jpg)
But the 977 has no drag and no anti-reverse
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987b.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987b.jpg)
The 987 cost $7.00 The 988 cost $7.50. You got a lot for fifty cents back then. Anti-reverse and drag are considered essential today, but in 1948 fishermen were more skillful and did fine without them.
The reel was bought because I was making a new rod. A homemade carbon fiber blank. Grips were shaped from high density Divinicell foam and filament wound with carbon fiber. This will be the last homemade blank for a while. I ran out of the latex exam gloves used to handle epoxy and it will be months before they are available again.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987d.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987d.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987e.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987e.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987f.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987f.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987g.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/987g.jpg)
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on April 12, 2020, 11:18:43 AM
But the 977 has no drag and no anti-reverse
The 987 cost $7.00 The 988 cost $7.50. You got a lot for fifty cents back then. Anti-reverse and drag are considered essential today, but in 1948 fishermen were more skillful and did fine without them.
It might be fun to try fishing with a knuckle-buster some time.
I really enjoy seeing your creations, Steve!
OK. I promise this is the last one.
Unlike Penn, OC also catered to the light tackle and freshwater crowd. They had a ton of old-school knuckle buster levelwind baitcasting reels. But the OC 2000 was somewhat special. It was introduced in 1948 after two years of development and was billed as The Ultimate in Baitcasting Reels. The 2000 was still being made when OC was sold to True Temper in 1957, but True Temper did not continue it. It is mostly aluminum, including a one-piece cast aluminum frame which is was impressive for the day. It provides great alignment.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000a.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000a.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000d.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000d.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000c.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000c.jpg)
They made a big deal about the friction casting brake. There was a little thumb lever on the rim of the head plate that moved a brake shoe that pressed on a spool hub to slow it down. I'm not impressed and think Shakespeare and others had similar friction casting brakes decades earlier. Actually, I'm disappointed because OC already had the Inductor surf reel with the world's first magnetic casting brake. I don't know. Maybe the alnico magnets (this was before neodymium magnets) were too heavy to be put into a small baitcaster.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000e.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000e.jpg)
The three-screw bridge is nice because the extra screw gives the bridge, and thus the gear and gear shaft, extra stability.
The clicker (sorry, no photo) is controlled by a little lever on the tail plate rim. Again, Shakespeare and others had already done this. The levelwind (sorry, no photo) worm is driven by the main gear.
I chopped up my reel by removing the friction brake and adding magnets. The levelwind assembly was completely removed. Finally, the top cross bar was removed. This opened up a full 180 degrees of the top but it is still rigid because of the one-piece frame.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000b.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000b.jpg)
The reel is now on a 9.5 foot Silaflex fly rod blank that was extended to 10.5 feet with a bamboo handle.
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000f.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000f.jpg)
http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000i.jpg (http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000i.jpg)
A reel without free-spool is usually a non-starter for me. But, this thing casts a 1/4 ounce very well for a knuckle buster. I assume the secret is in the rigidity. I've been using it the past few days and do not feel handicapped at all. Caught a small one.
After modifying the reel I realized there is another tail plate design that has cool cosmic planetary graphics. Really mid-century space-age. Wish I had one of those instead.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/2000j.jpg)
The 2000 cost $20 when it was introduced in 1948. Most baitcasters of the time cost three to ten bucks. By 1954 the price had increased to $25. But, 1954 was the year the ABU Ambassadeur 5000 was introduced at a price of $45.
-steve
I never knew the 2000 had an aluminum frame. Thanks for educating us on these cool old OCs Steve, and how modifying them makes for a killer light tackle casting reel. 8)
I found parts on eBay for my OC 107 rebuild & scavenged the dog which fit perfectly. I also replaced the thick leather washer with 2 HT-100 (6-60 size I think) and added a thin keyed metal. Thought I was done but now drive train skips & chatters under load. Swapped out the main gear & pinion but no change. When I mate the spool to right side drive train and hang on while cranking, I can rotate the spool backwards (against retrieve direction), so do I have a bad spool? Something else I'm missing?
QuoteThe spool looks wrong to me as I think for the gear you have those dogs need to be sticking up not flat like you have there .
I believe you're right. Seen other spools with raised "block" like tabs. Will post an ad for one.
Most likly the problem is here with the pinon and sleeve.
A small burr or hang up . And while it is appart you can chek this fitt.
Another thing that caught my eye is what way are you putting the yoke plate retainer . First picture is up side down. second picture is correct.
Got a used spool of eBay, and everything seems to work fine now. Note the raised block tabs, which obviously made the difference. Spooled up w/30# but will not push this reel - just local shallow bottom fishing and the 3 "B"s.
Thanks for all the help, you all are the best. still have the "green-aloy" spool and internals if anybody is in want/need.
http://www.orcaonline.org/ocean-city-salt-water-and-the-numbered-reel-page/
I would keep checking the pinion and drive sleeve . The photo that you posted ,you can see that the pinion is a little higher than the drive sleeve.
The green spool is unique to the 107.
1st time posting, but have really enjoyed reading and learning since finding this site.
I bought my father an OC reel as a Father's Day gift a few years ago, and it looks good in the old OC box on the mantle at my parent's home in Ocean City, NJ. The reel is the Ocean City 970. Common reel, lots around, but the really good condition box is what made the piece for my parents.
But, I bought myself an OC reel at the same time, and I haven't been able to find many details or any pictures of this reel. I bought it because it reminded me of a Penn Senator, and I knew that Otto Henze had worked for Ocean City before founding Penn. Hoping this group can help me learn more about this reel.
My best guess is that the reel is a used "New" Ocean City reel, #114. The number 400 is on the reel foot. The ORCA site doesn't have any pictures of the 400 size reel though, so I am basing my guess on old catalogues.
I'd really like to learn more above it the history of this reel, so all info is welcomed. Thanks.
Welcome aboard, Steven!
There are a few OC experts around.
One of the best is Mike Cacioppo -- one of our members.
He recently authored a book about Ocean City.
This would help you to gain the best information about your reels.
Best,
Fred
It's early. That handle was only made until about 1935. It has the then new quick take apart feature.
Mike's book is down in the workshop but I can try to see if it has more information tomorrow.'
This brings up sensitive point though. Should I quote Mike's book here and possibly make him miss a sale? Everyone who collects or is interested in old reels should get it anyway. Not only does it get down in the weeds about all the different OC models, it is a great history lesson that provides insight into the whole industry.
-steve
Howzit?, Mapmaker. Never knew before that OC had the quick take apart feature on the head-plate. Got a late '30's Penn Silver Beach with that system. Love to see how the OC differs from the Penn design.
Excellent point Steve, gotta consider the small business aspect of members here.
We are fortunate that someone with Mike's credentials and expertise would take this project on of cataloging and organizing this fascinating history of Ocean City Reels.
An author's work should be both credited and modestly rewarded. As long as the work is still available for sale. If it was no longer available -- that would be a different matter.
This is a work that obviously took thousands of hours of work, tremendous organization, plus experience and knowledge that a price cannot be put on.
The reason I mentioned this new book -- is because I felt that Mapmaker is the sincere type of person who would appreciate and benefit from this information that is only available in tiny bits and pieces in other places.
IMO, It is a matter of respect and honoring an author's hard work that is made available to us lowly "reel nerds".
I am certainly grateful for others work...
Mike's works are not going to put his kids through college, or pay off a mortgage -- but we need to realize how fortunate we are to be able to learn a little of what he knows and is willing to share.
300+ pages, 500+ photos, commentary, tremendous effort & results.
Best, Fred
I have the 250 . Mine has a retainer clip for the take apart screw . The difference between Oc and Penn locking lugs .
Oc is more pronounced , and penn mirrored the lugs .
Thank you everyone for the responses.
While researching my reel, I did find Mr. Cacioppo's book available through Whitefish Press prior to posting here. This is the only OC reel in my possession, and I'm not in the market for others presently. But, I do understand the conflict of morality of sharing something you learned from a book when you know the author, or at least have traded messages with him via a website. I am not asking anyone to share info they believe is inappropriate to share.
My own research continues, so I'll share what I learned today.
The 400 yard capacity "New" Ocean City doesn't appear in the 1930 catalogue. The reel first appears in the 1931 catalogue as far as I can tell. The Bakelite on the '31 reels is supposed to be brown, and mine is black.
The Ocean City Manufacturing Company filed for a patent of their free spool technology May 2, 1932. Their free spool technology had been in use for years at that point, which makes me wonder if filing the patent had to do with the founding of Penn that same year. The patent was granted on April 25, 1933.
Since the patent wasn't filed until '32, I suppose the '31 and early '32 versions of this reel wouldn't mention patent pending, but that is a guess. And since the patent was granted in '33, I would guess that the late '33 and '34 or later models might not include patent pending. As a result, I'm guessing the reel was built in 1932 or 1933.
Still lots of unanswered questions remain...
Quote from: Mapmaker on May 24, 2020, 01:52:40 AM
The 400 yard capacity "New" Ocean City doesn't appear in the 1930 catalogue. The reel first appears in the 1931 catalogue as far as I can tell. The Bakelite on the '31 reels is supposed to be brown, and mine is black.
The Ocean City Manufacturing Company filed for a patent of their free spool technology May 2, 1932. Their free spool technology had been in use for years at that point, which makes me wonder if filing the patent had to do with the founding of Penn that same year. The patent was granted on April 25, 1933.
Since the patent wasn't filed until '32, I suppose the '31 and early '32 versions of this reel wouldn't mention patent pending, but that is a guess. And since the patent was granted in '33, I would guess that the late '33 and '34 or later models might not include patent pending. As a result, I'm guessing the reel was built in 1932 or 1933.
Good job. You don't need a book ;)
-steve
something completely different..
got this little fly reel from a friend, no manufacturer's marks, no 'made in', no nuttin'
No drag mechanism or clicker, just a big spring on the main shaft, which provides a little tension to prevent free spooling.
Turns out the key is a tiny little manufacturer's mark, ID by Ron at fibreglassflyrodders, which marks it as Ocean City.
Ocean City Wanita Deluxe 305, to give it its full name. The 305 is a 60-yd reel, the 306 also available at 100-yd.
The original Wanita was made by Sturdibilt which merged into Ocean City, and sold for one dollar.. this one is most likely post-WWII, when the new Silent Drag was introduced.
It's a pretty little thing, going to clean it up and take to a high country Rockies stream to look for brook trout..