I picked up a spinning reel cheap at a garage sale, looked to be in decent condition other than being completely seized up (guy said he just left it outside all the time). I took a gamble on it at $5 in the hopes that I could get it working again.
Any ideas to freeing it up? I’m imagining it just got a little corroded from being out in the salt air so much. Can I just dunk the thing in some CLR and let it eat through the corrosion?
Thanks!
For $5, just throw it away. You will pay that much for enough CLR to cover it. You will always have problems with it because all the bearing races and polished surfaces will be pitted. Or strip it down and use it for parts for another one like it.
A shot of liquid wrench on the shaft and one on the bearings (once you remove the handle) is all you need if it’s just a little stuck. If it won’t turn after that then you should probably read Easy’s post again.
How good are you at taking small bits apart and putting them back together?
How much patience do you have?
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I’ll bet his patience will wear real thin when he realizes that he could get a new one at Wallyworld for $15! What kind of reel is this? Make and Model?
2nd TyOneOn’s opinion of Liquid Wrench, works miracles on some corrosive salt water rust
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
Shakespeare Sigma 080.
I’m pretty patient and have a good bit of dexterity with small parts and such, so that’s no trouble there. I grew up taking stuff apart and putting it back together.
I’ll give the liquid wrench a try, and if it’s just too far gone, oh well, $5 gone.
Thanks for the advice!
If you’re used to taking stuff apart, just clean off a work area and start breaking it down. You can wash everything with liquid wrench. I’d guess that the center shaft, the ring/pinion or the anti-reverse bearings are the culprit(s).
I’m still fishing an Okuma Trio 30 that spent a couple of weeks underwater in the Stono. Tear down, clean, relube, go fishing.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
If you’re going to go through the hastle of breaking it all down, Take the extra time and buff all the parts. Once you have the major corrosion off, a q-tip works well to buff, also, in tight spaces, splay out the end of a toothpick and then use a small bit of cotton swab. Then use good grease! I prefer hot sauce. Do not over lube! It just will hold dirt, sand, etc… Hope this helps. I love working on hopeless projects like this, just hope the internals are in good shape.
quote:
Originally posted by HookUpFishOn Then use good grease! I prefer hot sauce.
Why?
a shakespeare really isnt worth that much effort. liquid wrench should be your biggest investment…
I know what you’re saying inshore. It may not be worth all the extra time. I really like abu baitcasters, but I do the same process straight out of the box. Every reel I’ve ever seen is overgreased from the factory. By cleaning them up a bit, they stay smoother longer.
Jimmy, I have just found that it works better than the no name variety.
Also-only put grease on the gears (sparingly)-nowhere else. Too many people grease bearings, main shafts, etc. which ruins the performance of the reel. Get some Rocket Fuel & put a drop or two on each bearing & other parts-that stuff is awesome.
Also once you have “unfrozen” the reel soak all parts in Simple Green, scrub with a toothbrush & rinse with fresh water. Best way to clean them up-including bearings.
I don’t see anything wrong with taking on a project reel, even if it’s not cost effective. There’s a certain satisfaction you get when you save one from the trash can & actually fish with it.
Take the sideplate off the reel. Its probably held on by two or three screws and it should be just a piece of plastic on a shakespeare reel. Once the handle is off , remove the sideplate and have fun! Clean til your heart is content. If it frees up the grease the heck out of it and itll probably work fine. Make sure you check your drag washers. If the reel works and your drags frozen you wont be very happy one day.
quote:
Originally posted by Too BusyIf you’re used to taking stuff apart, just clean off a work area and start breaking it down. You can wash everything with liquid wrench. I’d guess that the center shaft, the ring/pinion or the anti-reverse bearings are the culprit(s).
I’m still fishing an Okuma Trio 30 that spent a couple of weeks underwater in the Stono. Tear down, clean, relube, go fishing.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Id like to hear that story…
I’m a high class redneck.
Fishing is a delusion entirely surrounded by liars in pfgs and buffs.
Hunter, I had some rods stolen at McDonalds on Hwy 17 after a fishing trip. A couple of weeks later I’m fishing the Stono and find one of my combos (Don’t think anyone else had an Okuma Trio / Reflexions spooled with red braid)in the shallows. Evidently a fish stole it from whoever stole it from me.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com