In With The Old

[jtesch]

So, my new thing is finding old Daiwa reels on the bay and tuning them up. So far I have got 2 team Daiwa x reels on the Bay and tricked them out and I have to say that they are equal to the reels I have bought in the last 3 years. I have MGX's , Premiers, Zillions, and other top quality reels and the Diawa X's after being cleaned, oiled and to take it a step farther, bent drag star and bent handles added and bearings if I feel it necessary are as good or better. The X's are costing about 50-60 bucks and the handle and drag star costs about $70, add bearings for $30 and it costs $160 for a great reel. Am I crazy or am I just tinkering.

[Loop_Dad]

You are definitely not crazy.

 

How old are those reels that you are restoring? I have a couple of old Shimano's, one from late 70's and one from late 80's and wanted to work on them this winter. However, I am bit scared. I don't have schematics on the one from 70's.

[tomustang]

You are definitely not crazy.

 

How old are those reels that you are restoring? I have a couple of old Shimano's, one from late 70's and one from late 80's and wanted to work on them this winter. However, I am bit scared. I don't have schematics on the one from 70's.

Loop,

If you don't find a schematic, when breaking it down take lots of pictures, it also helps to use plastic bags for parts when you take sections apart. You can also use small solo cups with lids

[Jrob78]

You are definitely not crazy.

 

How old are those reels that you are restoring? I have a couple of old Shimano's, one from late 70's and one from late 80's and wanted to work on them this winter. However, I am bit scared. I don't have schematics on the one from 70's.

Have you checked Mike's Reel Repair for Schematics?  They have pages and pages of schematics online.  DVT might be able to help you out too.

 

To the OP, not crazy at all!

[JeziHogg]

pics?

[bigbill]

I just started disassembling baitcasting reels. I use a cookie sheet that has sides all the way around. Some of these small screws, springs and parts seek freedom. I put down paper towels and place the parts I remove from the right to the left. Then to reassemble it I go from the left to the right. We also can snap pictures using our cell phones as we go too. I find them pretty simple to work on.

My next project is to super tune an old Shakespeare bait caster I have here to learn what parts to polish. I'm sure about what to do once I look at it. I can tell on some reels the casting button is a tad stiff to engage. I figure the cam that engages the free spool mode needs polishing. Once I inspect the reel up close I'm sure I'll figure it out.

[Jrob78]

pics?

x2

[new2BC4bass]

I don't like to tinker.  My TD-X 100HSDF arrived in very good shape.  Casts just fine straight from the box.  My TD-S didn't have a box, but is in pretty good shape as well.  I use it as it arrived...no cleaning even.  It also casts very well as is...thank you very much.    Both cast just as well as any of my newer reels.

 

No.  I don't think you are crazy.  Smart comes to mind.  You are picking up reels cheap.  Although you are putting more money in them, you are doing something you enjoy.  The end result is winding up with very good reels.  Reels that you have had the pleasure of modifying.  Reels that probably work better than when new.  Sounds like a win-win situation to me. 

[jtesch]

Thanks, I think the key is to be selective on what reels you choose to do it too. A lot of the older stuff isn't worth it but the Team Daiwa X's, Z's and S's are and older Shimano's are also. I started this when I bought a TD-X 103 HSDF on the Bay that was in close to mint condition for $50. When I got it I could tell something was wrong internally but I didn't want to send it back because it was in such nice shape. I took the plunge and took it apart and found it was missing the pinion bearing ( seller must have tried to service the reel and not put it back together right)  So I ordered the parts from Mikes reel repair and I realized it wasn't that big of a deal to fix and upgrade the older reels and away I went. I have to say the X's are some of the longest casting reels I've ever used. Mike's reel repair was great and Tackle Trap.com also has a good selection of parts and ships super fast. One bit of advice, if you choose to do this be prepared to spend some cash.

[new2BC4bass]

I have three Abu Black Max 1600 reels I bought as a package deal.  I purchased new drags for all of them, and a set of bearings for one....to see if I could notice an improvement with the bearings.  So far the parts still sit in their packages.  Hopefully I will get around this winter to do the upgrades.

 

I have to agree that learning to do the work myself could wind up being expensive because the next thing you know I will be upgrading them all. 

 

DVT has been getting my reels for cleaning...not all at once.  Mike isn't expensive, but when you have 30 reels it adds up quickly.  I really need to start taking care of them myself.  I don't want to take work away from Mike, but am almost to retirement age.  Money will be tighter once I retire.  Which won't be for several more years.......unfortunately...,,although I'll be old enough in Feb. for full benefits. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Shimano B's respond well to tuning. Keep in mind, less is more when it comes to sanding on internals. I highly discourage the practice of opening any reel without a schematic in front of you.