Short-maintenance cycle year

[MN Fisher]

This year it's just a quick clean and re-lube contrary to a full tear-down.

This is how far I bring the reels down for a quick-clean and lube.

 

And the casting reels are done for this year...ready for line

 

Now on to the eight spinning reels...

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Sadly that’s what some shops call deep cleaning.  Sometimes that’s all they need. I started offering an Econo service for just this purpose. 

[MN Fisher]

14 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Sadly that’s what some shops call deep cleaning.

You're joking - right Mike?

 

Deep cleaning for me is no part is still in the frame/side plates...all the gears and bearings come out, everything gets cleaned and re-lubed. A quick clean takes 20-30 minutes from starting dis-assembly to everything back together again....a deep clean takes 2 or more hours per reel.

[garroyo130]

but what about your pinion bearing??

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

but what about your pinion bearing??

Spool bearing(s) are hit with some 91% Isopropyl to clean it (them) out, then a drop of oil.

Worm shaft bearing(s) are left alone until deep-cleaning.

[Bird]

5 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

This year it's just a quick clean and re-lube contrary to a full tear-down.

This is how far I bring the reels down for a quick-clean and lube.

 

And the casting reels are done for this year...ready for line

 

Now on to the eight spinning reels...

So this is what a quick clean looks like 😳

So what I'm doing is basically a steam clean...... impressive 

[T-Billy]

Just a few weeks of unfishable weather here in OH this year. The Honey-do list took up most of that.  Rather than going through all of my most used reels, they'll just be getting serviced on an "as needed basis" throughout the 24 season. 

The extended forecast is looking good. Surface temps should be in the low 40's by next weekend. 

[new2BC4bass]

This is why I'd rather send mine out for cleaning.  Looks like a lot of work.  Plus I've never been one to tinker.  Maybe I should have my daughter go through a few when she visits.  Unlike me, she likes tearing things apart and putting back together.

[papajoe222]

I can take apart most any baitcaster for a cleaning and lube, but I'm out of my comfort zone when it comes to spinning reels.  I'd like to see how you do a quick clean/lube breakdown of a spinner.

[MN Fisher]

14 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

I'd like to see how you do a quick clean/lube breakdown of a spinner.

I'll post a couple pics

 

For me, spinners are easier - been using them since 1968, casting only since 1981-2 - and I've always done my own maintenance...even as an eight year old - dad insisted that if he was buying me a 'good' reel, I'd have to take care of it.

 

First 'good' reel was an Abu-Mitchell 320

[WRB]

I did simple maintenance as bait casters became more sophisticated taking the reels to a local reel technician ounce a year.

Tom

[swhit140]

I feel that I'm really good at servicing my bait casting reels, the main reason is that I only have one spinning reel. 😄

[MN Fisher]

Just now, swhit140 said:

the main reason is that I only have one spinning reel. 

Once the 'in use' reels are done - then I'll work on the 'back-ups'. 3 Casting, 5 Spinning

Total arsenal - 15 casting reels, 13 spinning reels.

[JediAmoeba]

The tolerances on spinning reels are so tight with modern ones they can be a PITA. The only parts that can be tricky are the bails and the springs in them. 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

20 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

The only parts that can be tricky are the bails and the springs in them. 

First time I did a more modern spinner - took me a while to figure out that the last screw to remove the side-plate was under the skirt of the rotor - have to pull the rotor to get the side plate off now. Wasn't like that on my Mitchell 320 or Cardinal 562 - side-plate screws were all 'out in the open'.

[TnRiver46]

It’s easy to take my reels apart and clean them (the ones i use) because I only have like 6-8 😂 . Couple “two-three” of each 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

5 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:

The tolerances on spinning reels are so tight with modern ones they can be a PITA. The only parts that can be tricky are the bails and the springs in them. 

 

 

And some AR assemblies. Especially the new shimano one. Take my word for it. 

[MN Fisher]

On 2/25/2024 at 10:08 PM, papajoe222 said:

I'd like to see how you do a quick clean/lube breakdown of a spinner.

As promised - PICS of a spinning reel being quick cleaned...this is my Supreme-30, but my other Pfluegers, my Miravels and my Avocet RZTs aren't significantly different.

Spool comes off - just unscrew the drag and it pops off. The clicker gear is just held on by a friction retainer....pull straight up to remove both. At the base is is a nut-retainer like on the handle nut of casting reels...that has to be removed.

 

Remove the nut and the rotor assembly pops right off. The white circle shows the screw under the rotor skirt that's one of the ones holding the sideplate on.

 

The small plate that's there for 'some' reason along the back corner of the frame (circled in red) sometimes hide another screw (white circle) that has to be removed before the side plate comes off.

Then just pull the main gear out. Clean the gears, touch of Cals to all. Quick rinse of the bearings with 91% Isopropyl, let evaporate, then a drop of oil. Re-assemble in reverse.

 

Took about 20 minutes from start of dis-assembly to everything back together again. And it's smoother with more free spin when the handle is 'bopped' than before.

 

Hope this helps you, Joe.

[papajoe222]

Yes it does!  I like the fact that you use a torque screwdriver, but even though I have one, I think it's a little too OCD                    Thanks

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

I like the fact that you use a torque screwdriver,

Not a torque - just a reversible that came in a mini-kit...no FT-LB settings or reading...no different than a plain Stanley in that regard.

[GReb]

The worst part about going any further on a baitcaster is the c clips. 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, GReb said:

The worst part about going any further on a baitcaster is the c clips. 

You mean the 'Jeez' clips - cause when they fly off into the ether, you go Jeez!

[J Francho]

Pop them off inside a big zip loc bag.