Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hey all!!

If you know me by now, one ain't enough, when it comes to spin reels.
 I usually get one type and then always have to score another duplicate. That's just how I roll.

 After my recent acquisition, and strip/ restore, of a 1948 Rudipech Lasso, I have really come to love using it.

I waited about 2 years to snag my first Lasso after one was finally offered up for sale, after passing on the original one I saw 2 years previously.

Then, funny thing, a month later, another comes up with original box and manual.
 I, of course, didn't hesitate to aquire it.

 So, after 2 long years of waiting and searching,  I get two very nice ones a month apart. Crazy how it happens.

 This old girl is in even nicer shape, finish wise, than my 1st one.
 Mechanically, no better or worse.

 Old grease, tarnished brass, and years of storage in her box have dulled her class, so another strip and restore is up.

Got her stripped in about 45 minutes. A very basic construction on these, but still fantastically engineered.

 All brightwork got a full clean and polish. Body, flier, and Bakelite spool got a soap bath and clean, as well.

 She had minimal paint loss, so I touched up these bare spots with matte black paint, to freshen the finish up.

 The wooden handle knob still had a good bit of black finish on it.
 Left it as is.

I used my letter punches to stamp my initials on inner flier. Add my touch to it.

 Reassembly went smoothly and finished Lasso is pristine and working perfectly, like new.

 This one, too, will be seeing use regularly.

Peace!

Final pictures

That is a nice reel to look at/read about/learn about this morning as I am having my coffee! Nice reel! - john

Hi Billy, what a nice tutorial & report, great job, you mentioned Matte black, what company produces it. cheers Don.

Dupli-Color matte black.
In my post photos, it may appear glossy, because I wipe all the finished reels down with a very light coat of oil for shine and protection.

Also, it was only used on very minor paint loss touch up with brush and not full respray.

Quote from: Brewcrafter on May 17, 2025, 03:17:50 PMThat is a nice reel to look at/read about/learn about this morning as I am having my coffee! Nice reel! - john

Great!
Thank you! Love what I do!

Thanks Billy, cheers Don.

Wow! What a neat piece of machinery, and great job bringing it back to life. Thanks for sharing.

I think that's the most drastic spool/rotor to gearbox ratio I've ever seen on a spinner.

Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on May 18, 2025, 02:09:39 PMI think that's the most drastic spool/rotor to gearbox ratio I've ever seen on a spinner.

Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

It is a pretty crazy reel, all around.

The Bakelite spool with the copper drag clicker,create the most unique sound ever and the wacky oscillation of the bail arm really make it a weird one.

I posted a video of it on my first Lasso strip post, here.

A great reel to catch the big crappie with. Really fun to use and for its wacky looks, really is a great performing reel.

Glad you enjoy!

Another fine job!

Wow! A circular bail wire with 2 pivot points near the bottom of the rotor. Another very interesting early model. Keep 'em commin'!

Quote from: MACflyer on May 18, 2025, 12:35:00 PMWow! What a neat piece of machinery, and great job bringing it back to life. Thanks for sharing.

Yes,sir! Great reel to use, as well!

Quote from: Gfish on May 18, 2025, 07:06:42 PMWow! A circular bail wire with 2 pivot points near the bottom of the rotor. Another very interesting early model. Keep 'em commin'!

Pretty unique reel,for sure.

I posted a more thorough strip detail on my earlier,  first Lasso post, that explains how it operates.
Also, put up YouTube link to video of reel in action.

Cheers!

Very nice reel! Haven't seen one before. Thanks for the thread!