Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Quote from: Paul9591 on October 15, 2026, 04:46:09 PMHi everyone,

I have a few more restored reels to show (my apologies if I have posted them on the forum already).

Well, not so much restored, although some have been, but more so 'deep cleaned'
A few just needed a service and polish.

Aside from my half bail Mitchell obsession, these are my other passion.

Excellent work. Gorgeous reel. I get scared being around a reel when they are this perfect!!

Quote from: Reels_penn4life on October 17, 2026, 12:12:59 AM

Quote from: Paul9591 on October 13, 2026, 11:48:43 PM

Quote from: Reels_penn4life on October 13, 2026, 10:42:34 PMLove seeing them restored. I used to do full strip down and paint. I've grown to love cleaning and restoring while keeping the natural patina from years of service. It's just great to see others loving the history and desire to keep them running.

Yes, its the same for me really, a good service, clean and polish is also my preference (most of my collection are factory finishes).
The few restorations I do now are usually only to reels that were in really bad shape, and for those that I think are worth the (no small) effort to restore.
Thank you for commenting. 

I actually have a Penn 710 greenie that had such horrible corrosion. It's loaded with craters. But I scrubbed all the corrosion off. Inside and out. Left it as is. A true survivor. Runs smooth too. Just looks rough.

Wow, that reel has some fishing history behind it, and being a Penn, much more to come I'm sure. 

I don't have any that have seen as much use as that, but I do have one or two that still have all of their battle scars, and I intend to keep them that way.

Doug if that 710 could only talk...Paul in your spare time I am interested in all the knuckle buster make/models if its not obvious in the photo.

In particular the ones with the 2 men in the boat with a fish on ?

Quote from: jgp12000 on October 17, 2026, 12:46:50 PMDoug if that 710 could only talk...Paul in your spare time I am interested in all the knuckle buster make/models if its not obvious in the photo.

In particular the ones with the 2 men in the boat with a fish on ?

thats what I love about collecting old reels. The history and stories they hold. Deserve the respect of at least being revived. I have an old ambassador from my dad. From the 60s. Guess it fits the knuckle buster description.

Quote from: Paul9591 on October 17, 2026, 09:07:40 AM

Quote from: Reels_penn4life on October 17, 2026, 12:12:59 AM

Quote from: Paul9591 on October 13, 2026, 11:48:43 PM

Quote from: Reels_penn4life on October 13, 2026, 10:42:34 PMLove seeing them restored. I used to do full strip down and paint. I've grown to love cleaning and restoring while keeping the natural patina from years of service. It's just great to see others loving the history and desire to keep them running.

Yes, its the same for me really, a good service, clean and polish is also my preference (most of my collection are factory finishes).
The few restorations I do now are usually only to reels that were in really bad shape, and for those that I think are worth the (no small) effort to restore.
Thank you for commenting. 

I actually have a Penn 710 greenie that had such horrible corrosion. It's loaded with craters. But I scrubbed all the corrosion off. Inside and out. Left it as is. A true survivor. Runs smooth too. Just looks rough.

Wow, that reel has some fishing history behind it, and being a Penn, much more to come I'm sure. 

I don't have any that have seen as much use as that, but I do have one or two that still have all of their battle scars, and I intend to keep them that way.

I have so many with beautiful battle scars. I've grown to respect them more as I grow with my collection. Used to customize. Drill and paint them all. I'll still do a full custom. But I love thinking about their stories. This corroded greenie must have gone under water and left to sit for god only knows how long. But she's back to life!!

Quote from: jgp12000 on October 17, 2026, 12:46:50 PMDoug if that 710 could only talk...Paul in your spare time I am interested in all the knuckle buster make/models if its not obvious in the photo.

In particular the ones with the 2 men in the boat with a fish on ?

Yeah, sorry about that, I should have added the names to the photos (I'll see if I can edit them in).
You will often see the same scenes and patterns on reels with different names and specs (the ones you mention are two Bronson Mohawks and one Bronson Belmont; the Belmont has the grooved rim of the crank end plate), this is because they supplied the reels to different trade companies like Sears and Wards etc.  This makes collecting them an expensive venture, particularly for us overseas enthusiasts (Shipping, taxes etc), as there are very few of them outside of the USA.

Later edit:

Unfortunately, I couldn't add the names under each photo, although I'm sure there is a way, so, these are the reels in picture order:

1.  Bronson Victor.  This 1930's reel is a very basic design, with fake jewelled end caps, though basic, they used my favourite Art Deco wave pattern for the end plates, which increases it's appeal greatly. A less commonly seen reel according to the ORCA Bronson pages.

2. A very rare Pflueger Summit, from early 1970 (just before final production). This does not have the chrome plastic level wind cover of the final 1970 model.
It lacks the spare Pawl and grease/oil window of the earlier reels, and it as scarce as the prior and last version.
It also has a nylon level wind gear.  A cheaper assembly, but still nice quality in my opinion.

3.  A beautiful example of an Ocean City X-pert, with a disc shaped drag adjuster (some are the star type).

4.  Bronson Jaya R No33.

5.  Wards Precision Model 10 by Bronson.

6. A scarce first version Bronson Mercury.

7.  Wards Precision by Bronson.

8.  Shakespeare Criterion; model no. 1961 from approx 1941. These later models had more bell shaped grasps and a high chrome finish, as opposed to the earlier 30's brushed chrome. One of my favorite reel models.

9.  Shakespreare 'Kalamazoo' Challenger.

10. Wards 'Sport King' by Shakespeare.

11.  Bronson Hiawatha 6565

12.  Bronson Allkast

13.  Wards Precision 40 by Shakespeare.

14.  Bronson Commander, model 3650.
According to the ORCA Bronso pages, this version of the Commander is very scarce, and has a beautiful Art Deco leaf pattern on the end plates.

15.  Bronson Commander, model no. 3600, Art Deco wave pattern.
Like the Victor, this has the eave pattern, though this was part of their gold seal range, and has a beautiful deep chrome finish, with decorative end caps.

16.  Bronson Silver Princess, model no. 3720.
This one is another gold seal reel, deep chrome with a bakelite spacer, and like the previous commander, one of my most treasured reels.

17.  Another Bronson Gold seal 'Commander', model no. 3650.

18.  Bronson Brooklure 25

19. Bronson Meadowbrook, model no. 312.3460
No adjustable end caps).

20. Bronson Belmont, model no. 312.3500.

21.  Bronson Mohawk (no model number).

22. Bronson Mohawk (sears numbered).

23.  1931 Pflueger Summit.

24.  Late 1930s Shakespeare Criterion, model no. 1961.

25.  Bronson JC Higgins, model no. 537.3103