Reel Repair by Alan Tani

This arrived today, missing the emblem so I don't know which model it is yet and believe it or not, I can't get the spool off the shaft to see the spool part number to identify the reel.

Remove the side plate, disconnect the lower end of the spool shaft, pull out the spool and shaft from the front of the reel.

Numbers should be visible, plus you can work on loosening the shaft from the spool easier without tweaking or damaging the rest of the reel.

I also think that Shakes made the textured paint reels for JC Higgins (Sears), as trade reels.

I likely have a few lying around in one of the outer shops.

Best, Fred

WOW, hadn't thought about the potential that it was a JC Higgins variant. How cool would that be?!? I was pondering pulling the whole shaft, guess I'll go ahead.

Got the side panel off...why do people think they need to torque down screws like they're head gasket bolts or something?!?

I was greeted with innards that are almost bone dry, no dried up grease to contend with but I need to soak the screw at the back of the shaft so I can break it loose.

A few years ago, I was disassembling one of these that was possibly never fished.

The grease was like cement in the gear casing.

I stupidly kept trying to turn the crank to "loosen" up the grease.

The soft pot-metal (or something) oscillation slide broke apart.

Never could find a part for it.  Just tossed it back in one of the bone bins.

Best, Fred

I finally got the spool to cooperate, it's a 4793 spool, so the reel is a 2080 OR perhaps a JC Higgins 535-42100.

The reel would be a Shakespeare. Shakespeare used the black textured finish for one year, 1958, and only on the 2070, 2080 & 2090. The black textured finish was never used on any of the J.C. Higgins, Sears or any other of their trade reels.

On a different note, sometimes simple galvanic corrosion will make screws difficult to remove if they haven't been loosened or removed for quite a long time. 

Thanks Tommy, I'll keep my eyes out for a 2080 emblem...there's one on ebay but it's also more than I paid for the reel, so I'll keep looking. I also need a 2090 emblem for one of my other treasures.

I have another black early-production SeaWonder enroute, missing its emblem too, so I'm not entirely sure which model it is. We shall soon find out.

The "new" one arrived today and it's another 2080. Wish I could find one with the dang emblem attached. The new one has more external patina but the inside was clean-ish and dry as a bone. Going to be an easy clean-up and re-lube.

I could make you an emblem, but it would look like a 4yr. old, or an Impressionistic painter, did it. Someone's gotta step-up. Hint, hint.

I'm in the same boat. Anything I cobbled together would look worse than no emblem at all.

A temporary label would I'd. it.

I measured the glue residue and it's about an inch diameter, round. There has to be SOMETHING interesting that I can attach, not just a coin, but something that looks like it belongs there. I have seen 2080 emblems online but they cost more than the reels. Found some aluminum discs on etsy in 1 inch round and one inch square (with rounded corners) that should fit my SeaWonders (round) and Royal Maroons (square/diamond) and they are really cheap. I think plain they woud at least have SOMETHING in that space, and I could write in Sharpie what kind of line is on the reel if nothing else.

First thought for an emblem was a nautical compass pendant/medallion—-it being a Sea Wonder and all.