New User

[Josh Smith]

Hi Folks,

I'm Josh Smith from Smith-Sights.  When I'm able to get away from doing what I do, I prefer to fish or work on my equipment.

My first reel was a little black Zebco in the late '70s.  I hardly remember this reel and I do NOT remember my first fishing trip.  Dad would sit me down on a rock in Little Flat Rock.  While he fished for smallmouth, I fished for chubs. 

My second reel was a Zebco 33.

I eventually grew into Dad's old (made in '75) Ambassadeur 5000, and that's mostly why I'm here.

A screw broke off in the frame, and I ordered a new frame and a new (old) 5000, while I was at it.

Dad told me "By the way, I put fast gears in that 5000, 5:1 or so."

So I swapped gears into the older 5000 while rebuilding Dad's.

Now I'm looking at the different things that can be done to these old reels, and I even acquired a 3000 which arrived today.

I'm looking at parts, but don't want to order until I know for sure what interchanges.  I also have plans to add bearings to one of the 5000s, though I really like how they cast using boundary layer fluid (you know, like crank bearings in motor oil.)

I know bearings won't fit directly into the 5000 from the 5500c, but having a few machines will let me fit the spool up.

I do this to relax and prefer lower-speed gears as I always tend to crank the newer reels too fast for the type of fishing I do.

It's good to be here, and I thank you for having me.

Regards,

Josh

[Shark Hunter]

Welcome Josh!
You need to post this in the Ambassadeur section so someone with more knowledge than me can help you out with these.

[harryk3616]

hi    josh,   welcome,  out of my league, sorry i can't help you with this type of reel.  some one along the line will jump in to help you.     harryk

[Keta]

Hi.

You should post a link to your sight site....

I'll do it for you....BTW nice stuff.

http://www.smith-sights.com/

[Bill B]

Welcome from the Sacramento Delta..

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

welcome to the "neighborhood"...

[foakes]

Welcome, Josh --

You have a well presented and clear website -- very well done!

You may consider signing up also for the firearms forum on this site -- your knowledge would be an asset to the group when it comes to certain aspects of gun smithing.

I had to laugh at your disclaimer about shipping parts to Canada -- although I fully agree with you.

The thing about shipping into or out of Canada is that it does take around 2 - 4 weeks, if there are no complications.  And it is expensive and a hassle for both parties.

The sad irony is that truckloads of goods can come into the US from Mexico -- with little oversight and no hassle.

And a small part for a fishing reel coming or going from Canada involves every alphabet agency there is -- along with ridiculously slow Customs -- plus the expense.

Looking forward to seeing some pics of your Ambassadeur when it's done.

Best Regards,

Fred

[alantani]

welcome!  go ahead and put a link to your business http://www.smith-sights.com/ in the member's business section at http://alantani.com/index.php?board=43.0  it's not really fishing related, but i saw the cute photo of belle with the plastic grub, so that makes it close enough to fishing as far as i'm concerned.  alan

[Mr.Grinta]

Welcome Josh!
leonard

[MFB]

G'day Josh,

Rgds

Mark

[Dominick]

Welcome Josh Smith.  Is that a real or stage name?    Dominick

[Josh Smith]

Hi Guys,

Thanks!

You may consider signing up also for the firearms forum on this site -- your knowledge would be an asset to the group when it comes to certain aspects of gun smithing.

I found the thread on the gun board area (I assume it's hidden?) and asked to sign up.  I have lived and breathed guns for quite a while, and though I started fishing before I was old enough to remember, I didn't really get into reels until recently.

My gunsmithing experience, on the other hand, is much more extensive.  Fixing reels is one thing, but modding them like I do guns... well, no real experience there, yet.  I have parts coming in next week that I hope will serve to change that.

I'd like to start repairing older reels to give away to help get folks into fishing.  In fact, I have an Abu Garcia 3000 sitting here for that purpose.  Its guts are solid but the plastic side plates look like hell.  Too much sun, methinks.

Happy Fourth!

Regards,

Josh 

[foakes]

Hi Josh --

I just completed a full cleaning, and service on a 4000 for a client -- along with 5 other reels.

This is a reel from the 1970-1973 era.

Same thing with this one -- the red plastic side plates had turned pink (inside was still original red). I thought I might bring it back with a little "Black Magic" that I use for plastic and rubber restoration.  Wiped some on and it turned back to original red -- then after 20 minutes it faded right back to pink.  Wasn't daring enough to try anything else, since those 40 year old side plates seem a little brittle -- and since it was mechanically new now -- that was enough.

Abu must have had a lot of complaints -- since they discontinued these side plates after a few years.

I suppose they could be painted -- but it is more work than can be justified -- and it is possible unless being very careful to use the right kind of paint -- that the integrity of the material may be diminished even further.

It is just a backup rig for Kokanee trolling anyway -- it will work just fine as is.

Best,

Fred

[Dominick]

Hey Fred is that photo Lake Tahoe?  Dominick

[foakes]

Hi Dom --

That's Bridgeport Resevoir in Bridgeport, CA, Mono County -- Eastern side of the Sierras

Been going there for 40 years.

We live up in the Sierras, on the Western side close to a place called Shaver Lake -- at 4400'.

We just drive across through Tioga Pass, across the top of Yosemite, pass is 9945'.

I learned how to fish the lake from an old friend who fished it since late 1940s.  The only reel Elmo ever used was an old Centaure -- he would fish it 120 days a year -- and every year it would need an overhaul requiring me to go scrounge parts off of a few Centaures I kept in stock just for him.

Best,

Fred