Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn International Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: Marlinmate on January 24, 2023, 10:25:59 PM

Title: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: Marlinmate on January 24, 2023, 10:25:59 PM
What are my options for this quadrant screw that is stripped out?  It won't tighten down.

How do I make the hole smaller? Or is there a larger diameter screw I can use after drilling/tapping?


Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: oldmanjoe on January 25, 2023, 01:04:22 AM
  I am not familiar with that reel , so i will suggest check the length of the screw and the depth  of the hole .   Possible a longer screw will grab .  Is it a blind hole , can you drill through and tap more threads for a longer screw .       You could pack marine tex epoxy let cure and re drill and tap  .
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: handi2 on January 25, 2023, 01:32:56 AM
I believe that hole goes all the way through. Try a longer one
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: Marlinmate on January 25, 2023, 03:05:09 AM
I'ma tear into it tomorrow....and provide an update.
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: foakes on January 25, 2023, 04:05:50 AM
Providing the threads are still good on the screw —-

Take (3) strands of copper from an old stranded extension cord.

Bend them into a "U" shape —- insert them in the hole with the tails protruding.

Screw the screw into the hole —- rock solid.

Best, Fred
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: alantani on January 25, 2023, 05:47:21 AM
Quote from: handi2 on January 25, 2023, 01:32:56 AMI believe that hole goes all the way through. Try a longer one

this...... 
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on January 25, 2023, 12:52:20 PM
Quote from: foakes on January 25, 2023, 04:05:50 AMProviding the threads are still good on the screw —-

Take (3) strands of copper from an old stranded extension cord.

Bend them into a "U" shape —- insert them in the hole with the tails protruding.

Screw the screw into the hole —- rock solid.

Best, Fred
Is this the metal equivalent of the old "toothpick trick" my grandpa taught me for wood screws? I Love it.
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: alantani on January 25, 2023, 03:51:14 PM
i bought a sheet of copper from the local hobby store.  it's not a maneuver that i like doing, but sometimes it's the only way. 
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: foakes on January 25, 2023, 05:42:44 PM
Quote from: alantani on January 25, 2023, 03:51:14 PMi bought a sheet of copper from the local hobby store.  it's not a maneuver that i like doing, but sometimes it's the only way. 

It is always better to use a longer screw, if possible.  There are generally good threads below the stripped out ones —- and it is the best remedy.

Other possibles are drill larger, re-tap threads, thicker screw.

Helicoil inserts & heat —- not always possible or recommended on aluminum.

JB Weld type materials will hold —- but may not be as strong.

The other thing to remember —- this is one of (4) screws holding on the crank side plate.  It likely became stripped due to the action of the drag lever riding on the guide track, over time.  It doesn't need to hold a lot of pressure —- but it shouldn't have a chance to work loose either.

I have used the copper stranded wire trick (3) times in 20 years —- and never had a complaint —- since it saved buying an expensive frame —- and all are still holding, to my knowledge.

Cheap, quick, and easy.

I have also used the thin copper sheeting like Alan mentioned —- but could never get a solid "set".  Maybe that was just me doing it wrong, or maybe the sheeting was too thick.

But for sure the stranded copper wire works well to solidify a screw set —- and to prevent buying a new $200 frame for an old reel.

Most of the old timers have a few of these tricks up their sleeve —- and most will work.

Best, Fred
Title: Re: Penn 50 - stripped screw
Post by: Marlinmate on January 25, 2023, 10:15:35 PM
Got into the reel today. Interesting stuff.  Whomever was in here prior...engraved an initial on the inside plate (see photo). They also attempted to fix the stripped out screw (like everyone mentioned) hole via using a longer screw which blew out the backside. So now we have a through and through wound with no bite.

The original screw is a 32-14ch which I believe is a 5-40 pitch.  Going to try the marine epoxy route with some West Marine Six10 epoxy then drill and tap.

If that doesn't work...will have to drill out hole and tap and go to a bigger screw size (which I don't know what it would be?) Anyone?