Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn - Vintage => Topic started by: mo65 on November 06, 2020, 06:33:08 PM

Title: Jigmaster 501
Post by: mo65 on November 06, 2020, 06:33:08 PM
   I didn't see a 501 heading here, but the 501 has been around since the 60s, that is certainly vintage enough for me. This one is made from mostly the older parts, but the parts list does range from the 60s up to about 2000. Many folks think a "frankenreel" is just a hodge-podge of parts all screwed together. Not true...that is what's known as a "POS".(piece of sh*t) :D  A frankenreel is a custom reel made from an assemblage of parts, often tweeked to make the assemblage mate correctly. They can be parts from different models, different times, even different manufacturers. When transcending decades, tolerances can change slightly, making a "working" reel a challenge.
  My buddy Rob loved the red XN Jiggy I recently built, so I made him this one from my parts bin. The first pic is all the parts I used. It looks like just a red 501 torn down...but it ain't. The only parts here that had previously met were the sideplates and the main/pinion gears.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50573347717_19a89b044a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3ZCjZ)

  Although this main/pinion set doesn't look like much, the pieces are a matched set and very smooth. I have built $300-500 Jiggies that would love to be as smooth as these old gears.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572471908_a75ccb7629_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3V8YQ)

  My first stumbling block was this spool rub circled in yellow...just look at the positioning of the rub to determine where the rubbing is coming from.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572471893_0bfe488e44_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3V8Yz)

  It is hard to believe that little tiny bit of screw protruding from the bridge could have been the problem, but it certainly was. I even tried different bearings thinking that might be an easy fix(a new unworn bearing would push the spool shaft out/farther away just a tad)...no dice.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50573347327_0942520b5d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3ZCdg)

  Filing the screws flush did it. Also had to file the AR dog spring post a bit.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572471838_f1d6d5b157_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3V8XC)

  The bridge I selected for this project had a trashed gear sleeve, as can be seen in the photo below. The NOS sleeve on the left is a must if you ever plan to put any pressure on the handle.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50573347517_500e4223ec_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3ZCgx)
 
  Often when swapping out gear sleeves, you'll end up with too much lateral play in the sleeve. This requires the art of shimming...which has to be the most over though art since the question "which drag grease should I use?" I used a .012 shim under this sleeve.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50573347467_d4fae55110_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3ZCfF)

  All finished, she's a nice lookin' reel! It ain't period correct...unless the period is 40 years long. Some reels are for the shelf, others are for the water. I have a feeling this one will be gettin' wet. 8)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50572503618_bd96dba7e4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3Vipy)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50573380177_807c92fa7e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k3ZMYD)
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: nelz on November 06, 2020, 07:05:30 PM
Hmm, that's a first, never heard of a spool rubbing from that! Very nice reel.

My 501 has all steel gears but they are smooth as can be. The 501 is one of my favorite reels of all time.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Crow on November 06, 2020, 07:44:52 PM
Good job, Mo !!
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: David Hall on November 06, 2020, 08:36:12 PM
I really like the narrow 501.  Nice job on this one Mo.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Wompus Cat on November 06, 2020, 09:18:48 PM
Nice work.
O'l    Johnny Cash would be proud to put it in his 49,50,51,52,53...........
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: foakes on November 06, 2020, 09:37:45 PM
We are expecting rain and snow over the weekend — then are heading out of town over to the Coast all of next week.

So I decided to return reels and pick up any to service, restore and repair from various shops and sporting goods stores down in the valley this morning —

This is a normal route that I do every 2 weeks — covering 5 towns within 60 miles.

Included in the 11 reels picked up today for restoration — are a couple of 501's.  One old maroon, and one with newer black plates.

These are enjoyable reels to work on and fish with.

Excellent work, Mike!

Best,

Fred
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: milne on November 07, 2020, 05:08:14 AM
Another great write up Mo,  as usual.....
So good for future referencing..
Great Job.

Col
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Eddie K on November 07, 2020, 06:11:26 AM
Nice work. 
Steel gears for your Jigmaster.  I like it!
Tight lines!
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: JRD on November 10, 2020, 05:29:17 AM
Great job Mo!  Your bench top is way too clean though.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Ron Jones on November 10, 2020, 04:14:08 PM
She's a 49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59 Penn fishin' reel!

With you putting it together, I'm sure it will fish with the best of them.
The Man
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: mo65 on November 11, 2020, 04:04:07 PM
   Hey thanks everyone! I shot Rob a link to this thread and he was so stoked because everyone was diggin' his reel. I've got that Johnny Cash "one piece at a time" tune going in my head still...HA!! 8)
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: El Pescador on November 11, 2020, 04:17:05 PM
MOmeister!!!

GREAT tune and for those of you who have NOT heard it, here it is...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb9F2DT8iEQ 

I can remember my Dad listening to this song on his black & chrome Zenith AM & FM radio on his workbench. 

It was broadcasted from KRAK radio in Sacramento, CA - a truly County Western radio station if there ever was one!!!!

Wayne
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: thorhammer on November 11, 2020, 04:28:19 PM
i immediately thought of that song when i saw Mike's build.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: nelz on November 11, 2020, 07:14:16 PM
Quote from: El Pescador on November 11, 2020, 04:17:05 PMGREAT tune and for those of you who have NOT heard it, here it is...

Well this is my first time Wayne, cool tune! That must've been some kinda' lunchbox, lol.  ::)
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: sharkman on November 11, 2020, 07:37:59 PM
Nice looking reel
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: thrasher on November 12, 2020, 02:00:36 AM
Nice work as always Mo, I love them narrows. What gear sleeve and star did you use? I only ask because the old sleeve looks like a fine thread and the new sleeve looks like a coarse thread.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Brewcrafter on November 12, 2020, 05:10:12 AM
Mo - Awesome build as usual and such wonderful attention to detail - and that is what makes all the difference.  Thanks for sharing! - john
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: mo65 on November 12, 2020, 01:28:32 PM
Quote from: thrasher on November 12, 2020, 02:00:36 AM
Nice work as always Mo, I love them narrows. What gear sleeve and star did you use? I only ask because the old sleeve looks like a fine thread and the new sleeve looks like a coarse thread.

   Great eye Thrasher. The old sleeve was indeed a fine thread sleeve...and if I remember correctly...the only NOS sleeve I had in my parts stash was a coarse thread version. I believe that star I used is a #10-49, but since it was an old non-numbered part, I can't be certain. For large star subbing, just remember the #10-505 is fine thread, and the #10-49 and #10-66 are coarse thread. Another worthy note...the #10-66 is just a tad thicker than the #10-49.8)
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: steelfish on November 12, 2020, 08:29:48 PM
when I started to fish in Saltwater back in 2005, yep not too long ago, thats when I changed from a city boy to a Coastal boy, I bought a penn 501 that was my favorite reel, it was completely stock but it was really good for fish corvinas, triggerfish, seabass and many other small and medium sized fish, then few years later I found out about YT and groupers in the same waters and I had to sold it to fund me a stronger reel.
with all the current upgrades pretty sure it would be a nice reel in my arsenal
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Brendan on November 14, 2020, 04:13:40 PM
     Nice one Mo. A friend dropped a 112H of for me to clean up that has the end play you fixed in the gear sleeve. thanks for posting, Brendan.
Oh Alex in May 2019 while fishing Bay Of Los Angeles, Igor reminded me they make reels in two speeds now. Referring to my vintage quiver.
      Scouring the garage for shim now.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Brendan on November 15, 2020, 11:07:04 PM
     Mo is there a point when shimming the gear sleeve that you would also have to do the same to the dog as well? I've never tried this before and the end play in the reel I'm working on seems like a lot.
Thanks in advance, Brendan.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: mo65 on November 16, 2020, 01:59:30 PM
Quote from: Brendan on November 15, 2020, 11:07:04 PM
     Mo is there a point when shimming the gear sleeve that you would also have to do the same to the dog as well? I've never tried this before and the end play in the reel I'm working on seems like a lot.
Thanks in advance, Brendan.

   I can't imagine needing to shim the sleeve so much that the dog needed shimmed also. Often what seems like a ton of play in the sleeve turns out to be not nearly as much as you thought. A few thousandths can feel like much more than it really is. Only loosing a few thousandths of contact on the dog can't be much of a strength issue. I have never had a dog failure because of a sleeve that has been shimmed. 8)
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Donnyboat on November 16, 2020, 04:35:59 PM
Nice work Mike as usual, thanks for all the finer details, cheers Don.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Brendan on November 29, 2020, 11:23:04 PM
     Mo what were you able to find for shims as far as material, I.D., & O.D.? Its the last thing I need to get my project back together.
Thank you in advance, Brendan.
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: mo65 on November 29, 2020, 11:48:56 PM
Quote from: Brendan on November 29, 2020, 11:23:04 PM
     Mo what were you able to find for shims as far as material, I.D., & O.D.?

   As far as material...I have used both brass and steel...either will work fine. More important is having a variety of thicknesses, as every reel is going to be different. I don't even check ID and OD, if the washer fits under the sleeve it's good. And do not get it tight...you're always going to need a few thousandths endplay. 8)
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: Benni3 on November 30, 2020, 04:00:00 AM
That's a kick atfco reel,,,, ;) great job man,,,,,,,, ;D
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: thrasher on December 18, 2020, 01:11:37 AM
Did you use 505HS gears in this build or are those the regular ones?
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: mo65 on December 18, 2020, 01:38:09 PM
Quote from: thrasher on December 18, 2020, 01:11:37 AM
Did you use 505HS gears in this build or are those the regular ones?

   No...those are stock 500 gears. Penn cleverly added a rim on the 505 gear making it taller, and unable to fit easily into the 500, making everyone buy a new reel. I have made it work by grinding the rim off the 505 gear...but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. 8)
Title: Re: Jigmaster 501
Post by: thrasher on December 18, 2020, 01:45:08 PM
Thanks Mo, I've never seen it done before but figured you'd be the one!!