Fin Nor LT 100

Started by Shark Hunter, February 25, 2016, 02:04:11 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

foakes

You are right, Sal --

But like you basically said -- Penn is the exception to the rule here.

I cannot think of another reel manufacturer, still in business -- that has the quality, reputation, attention to what anglers want and need, parts availability, and plain old solid durability after 30 to 70 years.

It is a model that likely will not be repeated -- in this day and age of built-in obselesence, non parts availability after a few years, changing of the products offered the public -- just to keep up with the latest trends, etc.

Having said that, for me, there would be little choice between a $1300 Stella, and a $100+ LT100.

This choice would make sense to me, if a Penn was not comparable and available.  But there are some very good Penn spinners out there -- that will do the job just fine.

We are in the middle of a corporate shift that will not likely swing back towards the consumer.

Penn offers excellent customer service, and parts availability. 

Fin-Nor may be up to this level someday -- but Penn has a 80 year headstart on them.

I will be seeing Tony and the guys at Fred Hall today.

Best,

Fred
The Official, Un-Authorized Service and Restoration Center for quality vintage spinning reels.

D-A-M Quick, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco Cardinals

--------

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. The second rule of fishing is to never forget the first rule.

"Enjoy the little things in Life — For someday, you may look back — and realize that they were the big things"
                                                     Fred O.

CapeFish

Quote from: Alto Mare on March 04, 2016, 12:25:30 PM
I agree, but some reels could take more abuse than others.
I have brought back some Penn that were in really bad shape. Being able to do the same to others, I would say they're great reels as well... and there are many out there.
This reel above appears to be a good one, the problem would be with parts availability.
Yes, there are a bunch of parts available now, but will they be available for the next 20-30 years from now? I'm going to guess no.

I'm not comparing Penn to other manufacturers, I just wish they would follow and do the same.
After 80+ years in production, I'm still able to find parts for my reels.

Another point I want to mention, Penn has reintroduced some great spinners from the past, looks like they're not just going for 100 years for parts availability, it appears they're going  for way beyond that. Of course we won't be here to find out, but 5 or 10 generations from now probably will. ;D

Penn has gained lots of respect from me within the past few years with doing so.
I read this as customer satisfaction and not greed.

Don't shoot the messenger, this is just my opinion.

Sal

I think there is some mis-communication/poor communication from my side. Let me try again, even if you maintain a reel well, it is going to wear out over time, the more fish you catch with it the quicker this will happen. It is all fair and well that you can replace every single part on the reel, but that in itself says nothing about the longevity of the reel, it says something about the service the manufacturer offers. It's exactly like a car, one that is in daily use get's to a stage where it is no longer financially viable to maintain it, no matter if you can still get spares. Especially with hard working vehicles. When the chassis cracks, the rings have worn and the gears start jumping, is it not time to move on? If it is a magnificent vintage vehicle, with collectors or sentimental value, then sure, it is another story, keep it going indefinitely. The same with a reel? Or am I missing something? Is a reel used by a guide fished 200-250 days a year going to last 30 years? Is it worth such a guide continuously replacing nearly every part of the reel on an ongoing basis or does he retire a reel after a while and buy a new one? If I see what spares cost, let alone after market pimping, it seems, for the working angler, to make more sense to buy a new reel after a few years?

Newell Nut

Why did Penn stop making parts for 750ss and 850SS? No much available any more.

johndtuttle

Quote from: CapeFish on March 07, 2016, 01:35:15 PM
Quote from: Alto Mare on March 04, 2016, 12:25:30 PM
I agree, but some reels could take more abuse than others.
I have brought back some Penn that were in really bad shape. Being able to do the same to others, I would say they're great reels as well... and there are many out there.
This reel above appears to be a good one, the problem would be with parts availability.
Yes, there are a bunch of parts available now, but will they be available for the next 20-30 years from now? I'm going to guess no.

I'm not comparing Penn to other manufacturers, I just wish they would follow and do the same.
After 80+ years in production, I'm still able to find parts for my reels.

Another point I want to mention, Penn has reintroduced some great spinners from the past, looks like they're not just going for 100 years for parts availability, it appears they're going  for way beyond that. Of course we won't be here to find out, but 5 or 10 generations from now probably will. ;D

Penn has gained lots of respect from me within the past few years with doing so.
I read this as customer satisfaction and not greed.

Don't shoot the messenger, this is just my opinion.

Sal

I think there is some mis-communication/poor communication from my side. Let me try again, even if you maintain a reel well, it is going to wear out over time, the more fish you catch with it the quicker this will happen. It is all fair and well that you can replace every single part on the reel, but that in itself says nothing about the longevity of the reel, it says something about the service the manufacturer offers. It's exactly like a car, one that is in daily use get's to a stage where it is no longer financially viable to maintain it, no matter if you can still get spares. Especially with hard working vehicles. When the chassis cracks, the rings have worn and the gears start jumping, is it not time to move on? If it is a magnificent vintage vehicle, with collectors or sentimental value, then sure, it is another story, keep it going indefinitely. The same with a reel? Or am I missing something? Is a reel used by a guide fished 200-250 days a year going to last 30 years? Is it worth such a guide continuously replacing nearly every part of the reel on an ongoing basis or does he retire a reel after a while and buy a new one? If I see what spares cost, let alone after market pimping, it seems, for the working angler, to make more sense to buy a new reel after a few years?


You are missing something :).

Older designs like the Penn 704Z had very modest drags and an overbuilt gear train along with the simplest of anti-reverse types (spring loaded dog) etc and that made the reels extraordinarily durable. Literally 40 years of continual use in season and they remain fish-able with minimal upkeep. No new design today can compare.

Parts are also very cheap and complete reels can still he had in the $40-60 range, maybe put $10 in parts in them and they are good for another 30 years...at 6lbs of drag and fishing 20-30# mono.

Brand new from the factory they are $200 reels and Made in USA. Still a great value for something that will average out to $10 a year for 20 years...but they now have limited application as they are big and heavy and not "refined" for modern tastes.

So, reels are still made that will last forever, but performance comes at a price and modern reels arguably perform better at casting lures all day (lighter, etc)...if that is the criteria rather than the key criteria being durability.


Shark Hunter

#34
Matched it up to a Penn Mariner standup spinning rod. 7' 20 to 40 with an aluminum gimbal and pac bay reel seat.
Just need to do a pre service before I spool it.
Life is Good!

Wolli

had some LTs for service and replaced the canvas drag washers with cf.
love jigging    www.jupiter-sunrise-lodge.com/de/
Authorized Jigging Master Service Partner (in Germany)

foakes

Nice combo, Daron --

Good pairing.

Best,

Fred
The Official, Un-Authorized Service and Restoration Center for quality vintage spinning reels.

D-A-M Quick, Penn, Mitchell, and ABU/Zebco Cardinals

--------

The first rule of fishing is to fish where the fish are. The second rule of fishing is to never forget the first rule.

"Enjoy the little things in Life — For someday, you may look back — and realize that they were the big things"
                                                     Fred O.

Shark Hunter

#37
Quote from: Wolli on March 11, 2016, 08:23:02 PM
had some LTs for service and replaced the canvas drag washers with cf.
No canvas in the LT 100,
Seven stack of cf's lightly greased.
Life is Good!

Wolli

Improvement, but interesting to read.
In Oct.2014 serviced a 60, 80 and 100 and all had canvas washers.
love jigging    www.jupiter-sunrise-lodge.com/de/
Authorized Jigging Master Service Partner (in Germany)

Shark Hunter

#39
This is a $100 spinner,
I normally don't mess with reels made in China, but this reel has a calling as shown in the video earlier in this post.
I did a complete teardown to see what was inside.
It was greased really well, I just don't know what. Its kind of yellow looking.

Lots of meat and potatoes inside. I am over this yellow grease.
If you take a good look, you can see how the anti reverse dog is set up. It has an arb in the pinion assy, but there is a spring sticking up on the main that catches the dog when this fails. Pretty ingenious for a reel of this low price.

I can't help it, penn blue is my go to.

I'm going to wear this reel out. My first impression has already made me buy another.
I've had an anonymous member send me a picture of the reel stand snapping off at 15 lbs of drag.
We will see. It is a China made reel, and I chock it up to a bad casting. It is less than $13 to replace.

Life is Good!

coastal_dan

Nice, thanks for the break down.  My Fin Nor Ahabs had that same grease, it was pretty nasty and cracked when I rebuilt some if them. I'm with you Cals for drag, Penn blue basically everywhere else.  Looking forward to seeing some fishy photos with this set-up.
Dan from Philadelphia...

Where Land Ends Life Begins...

Porthos

#41
Quote from: Shark Hunter on March 12, 2016, 02:18:06 AM...I've had an anonymous member send me a picture of the reel stand snapping off at 15 lbs of drag...

I was fishing my second LT100 at 22lbs drag when the handle bolt snapped:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=14562.0

The reel stand was unaffected. Both LT100's will be on the 2016 trip.

Wolli

the same yellow grease found in a Quantum 50 (new model). Most of the grease was hard like a stone and must be removed with dremel... and have a look to the bearing.....
Argue the Fin-Nor and Quantum are coming from the same factory...
love jigging    www.jupiter-sunrise-lodge.com/de/
Authorized Jigging Master Service Partner (in Germany)

Shark Hunter

#43
Interesting Wolli,
Maybe what I have isn't a Fin Nor at all.
I noticed when Chad posted the link for parts. It says Zebco Brands.
Tony Hawk gave a great review of this reel. That was the major deciding factor.
An anonymous member sent me this photo of the stem snapping at 15 lbs of drag.
I hope they have made improvements to fix these problems.
Life is Good!

RowdyW

I believe that Zebco is the parent company for Fin-Nor, Quantum, Pflueger, & others.