Reel Repair by Alan Tani

One of my favorite passions in reels has always been older, quality Microlite spinning reels.

I am in the process of sorting and organizing around 1500 old reels -- some good, some just parts reels, some cheap old junk -- most very easily restored into serviceable units.

There are many still new in boxes -- but there are a lot of loose units, that need a home.  In order to find a good home, they must be completely restored -- that is the only way I feel comfortable getting them ready to go.

Thought I would start with the tiny old quality Microlites --

Mitchell 308, 309, 408, 310, 9800, D.A.M.Quick 265 Microlites, 110, 110N, 1000, 1001, Alcedo Microns, Daiwa Mini-Mites, 500C, 700C, 1000C, Penn 4200, Shimano assorted, and a few others.

Might do a couple a day in between other reel jobs -- just for fun and variety.

Then see where to go from there.

Have not gone through the other bins yet -- but here are 76 that I will start on.

Best,

Fred

Holy Cow!

DAM Quick!  that's a lot of reels.

This dude is serious.

Very impressive.

Well you know which reel I'm looking for in an ultra light,on your recommendation. That is a whole lot of time and years of work represented there.

Terrific Fred.  What do you do in your spare time?  Dominick

Doing almost the same thing here... restoring (1) Daiwa SS NO. 1

Need a handle to fit the stem or a complete assembly if anybody has one.


(my first try posting pics)

Fred, you need to go fishin' DAM!!! And I have seen some of your collection and believe you are leaving some out  

You are right, Tim -- this is just the Microlites -- about 6%.

These weigh in around 6 to 8 ounces -- 4 pound test -- 100 yards.

However, any of these reels can bring in a 10-14 pound fish -- since they are of solid quality.

For me, nothing better than a Mitchell 308, 408, or a Quick Microlite with a Fenwick 5' Rod, and 4 pound test.

Best,

Fred

Too cool Fred, you sir have a LOT of reels.

I like the Alcon reels. They are just cool..!!

Fred is your shop set up in an out building? I noticed that all of the electric is in conduit and metal boxes. Nice clean shop with everything in order I'm impressed.

Good Lord Fred I just felt my wallet get light and my wife, wherever she happens to be, just felt a disturbance in the Force she did not like. I'll have to get a DAM or two and a 408 when you get round to it.

Did I understand the math to say that 1500 reels is 6% of the collection?

John

Yeah,

But that is basically rough and dirty math -- possibly 1500 total reels.  

Around 70 Penns, 300+ Mitchells, 250+ Quicks, and then everything else just lumped together.

This week, I intend to sort out all of the bins of reels into categories that will include --

Anything salvageable that I would consider usable or sale-able...then the rest just as organized parts reels -- junk will be gone.

These are all not popular or good reels -- many are old closed face units from the 50s, 60s, etc.

Anyway, within a week, if time permits -- and the weather holds up so everything can be spread out and tossed in the proper bins -- I will have a better idea.

The "tackle box" is a 4400 pound 20' overseas storage container that I will be trying to get all of the reels and gear out of and organized.

Best,

Fred

Fred,

I think you need to mentor someone that can take over when you want to give it up...you have so much knowledge and inventory that someone interested in reels can carry on and keep your legacy alive.

That, and they can help you clean up and organize too.