Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hey all,

Was cleaning up an older (boomerang style AR) 300 and it came with two large spools (4 spoke) that are identical except for bottom (first photo). Both have insets on top with reddish fiber washer under a brake spring. And both have identical insets on the underside which were empty.
My questions are-
1. Is there supposed to be another fiber washer or some other kind on the underside?
2. Fiber washers were very stiff and hard --had to wipe them off to even realize they were reddish. Are they supposed to be that way?

Thanks,
Russ

Yeah looks like it needs one. Those spools look to be from different manufacture eras. However, the older 300 spools all seem to be interchangeable. The newer ones(past the '70's?) may not be... never owned one newer than '74.
The spring drag washer goes on the top "inset". Let me know if you need a picture of one.

Quote from: Gfish on November 27, 2025, 12:06:37 AMYeah looks like it needs one. Those spools look to be from different manufacture eras. However, the older 300 spools all seem to be interchangeable. The newer ones(past the '70's?) may not be... never owned one newer than '74.
The spring drag washer goes on the top "inset". Let me know if you need a picture of one.

Thanks for the response, I have the springs with attached metal washers for both spools. Funny- one has 4 or 6lb test on it and the other is loaded with 20 lb test if label can be trusted (looks about right). Not sure how this drag system would handle a fish that needed 20lb test! Anyway, was just wondering if I should have 2 fiber (or other material) washers per spool -one for each of the recesses.  Both my other Mitchells are "newer" with straight AR lever, teflon drag washers and spring setup and and no recesses.

Happy Holidays
Russ

Good question. I tried it once, the fiber washer I put on the top, underneath the spring-washer part, caused it to push-up too tight against the drag knob. Drag function was very bad. Who knows though, coulda been an odd part in there with all the interchangeability; spool?, spindle?, drag knob?...
Yeah, the latter reels all came new with the white Teflon washer underneath the spring-washer and alota plastic parts, especially in the spool assembly.

I have a version 3, maybe late 40's or early 50's. There are a lot more aluminum and brass and steel parts, especially in the spool/spindle/clicker assembly. Other than that, both the drag knob, & crank knob are aluminum and the A/R is steel.

Quote from: Gfish on November 27, 2025, 06:44:29 PMGood question. I tried it once, the fiber washer I put on the top, underneath the spring-washer part, caused it to push-up too tight against the drag knob. Drag function was very bad. Who knows though, coulda been an odd part in there with all the interchangeability; spool?, spindle?, drag knob?...
Yeah, the latter reels all came new with the white Teflon washer underneath the spring-washer and alota plastic parts, especially in the spool assembly.

I have a version 3, maybe late 40's or early 50's. There are a lot more aluminum and brass and steel parts, especially in the spool/spindle/clicker assembly. Other than that, both the drag knob, & crank knob are aluminum and the A/R is steel.

Back to puttering in the garage and found one red fiber washer in an envelope. So I can try both ways and see if I notice a difference. On another front - how do you clean up and maintain the spring style crank on the older 300s? The spring on this one is stiffer than my own arthritic fingers! Don't see an obvious way to easily take it apart - so was planning to take off the wood handle and soak the rest of it in solvent for a day, then clean up and flush as well as I can and add some reel oil. Is there a better procedure? Someone before me got frustrated with this one or banged it around. Thanks in advance, Russ

Man, that thing's beat. Could've gotten tweaked and it's sticking. You can tell it's an older reel's handle from the shorter length.

I think you are right about about damage. Cleaning and oil helped a little on the spring movement but still hard to rotate though--I'll just leave it in the fishing orientation and forget about the storage position on this one.
Thanks, Russ

I went out to the shop to see if I had a handle and came up empty. I have one for a Mitchell 304 but that won't help you. 

I have a few Mitchell 300 in good shape that I don't use . PM me your address I will send out free

Thanks for the offer Quang!
I am always amazed at the generosity of the people on this site. Everyone is so willing to share their wisdom, technical expertise, and even parts and reels with fellow members- it is a necessary reminder that there are lots of good people in the world.  I don't need another 300 however - with all of your help I am trying to learn how to get the ones I have going again for sentimental reasons and as a new hobby. I came upon the Alan Tani universe after searching the internet for ways to fix and maintain some old fishing stuff from boxes my Dad had- 3 MItchell 300s and 2 DAM 220s among them. I don't remember him using them or where exactly they came from--might even have been my Grandfather's (although I remember him more as a saltwater guy). -or maybe a mix of both. So in other words I want to try and make my reel one in good shape if possible. Anyway, thanks again for the offer and thanks to all the contributors to this site that create and maintain this invaluable resource.
Russ

I understand and I try to repair as much as I can too. How ever look at the handle on your reel it's too bad to repair .

Thanks Quong,

It looks like I just need the metal shank part of the handle but I'll PM you.
Russ