It Lives Again!

You got 'em, we know how to clean 'em
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Don Champion
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It Lives Again!

Post by Don Champion »

Sometime back I bought a Congress 4 screw Kentucky style reel in terrible condition. It suffered from electrolysis and corrosion and was so bad it would not move, nor would any of the screws loosen.
So I soaked it for a week in Kroil, and after about 5 days I had some screws start to loosen although I could not get it apart until after the full week of soaking. I then cleaned the reel and ran a tap through all the threaded holes. Thanks to a donor parts reel from Jim Garrett and Skip Brooks I replaced the handle, one oil cap, and a screw. The post the drive gear runs on was too rusted & pitted to use so I had to make another. I made it from some very tough steel. These post are on a taper and the taper has to be exact or the gear will wobble. I also made it .001" under size to keep the gear from jamming. It has a 2-56 hole tapped in the end which I thought I would never get tapped in that steel. This keeps the end movement to about .002" since the centrifugal force of the helical gears try to force the gears apart. I had to save the reel since it may be the last remaining example stamped Congress. These reels are very hard to find.
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RonG
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by RonG »

Wow, way to go Don. That is the only marking I've seen on that Montague reel. You had to save it and you did.
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john elder
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by john elder »

Incredible job, Don! You are still the master! It gives me faith that a Talbot Meteor I have had cooking in Kroil for a week may finally give up and let me in! Just gotta love nickel silver! Thanks for posting!
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Specializing in saltwater reels...and fly reels...and oh, yeah, kentucky style reels.....and those tiny little RP reels.....oh, heck...i collect fishing reels!...and fly rods....and lures
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Paul M
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Paul M »

Amazing save Don!
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Brian F.
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Brian F. »

Awesome job, Don!
Aloha
Brian F.
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Got a spare reel stamped "Pflueger" or a Montague Imperial?
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KIWI
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by KIWI »

Great Job Don ! Beautiful little reel. Doug
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Steve
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Steve »

It Lives Again!
Don, for a second I thought you meant Congress, not the reel. :jump: Too good to be true, apparently.

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Dave Erickson
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Dave Erickson »

Great job Don! I wouldn't have thought it possible, and would have used it in the "Ugly Reel Toss." Dave
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reelsmith.
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by reelsmith. »

:bow:

Dean.
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Midway Tommy D
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Midway Tommy D »

Well done, Don! :cool
Love those Open Face Spinning Reels! (Especially ABU & ABU/Zebco)

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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Reeltyme »

Don, I’m not one to nitpick, but in the first set of pictures I only count 3 screws? Just yanking your chain. Beautiful work! Congratulations.
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RAM
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by RAM »

Beautiful work Don!!!

Bad Bob
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Wayne B.
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Wayne B. »

It is hard to hide skill and talent. Great job, Don!
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Don Champion
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Don Champion »

Thanks for all the kind comments guys! Hang in there John. I know you can do it. I'll mention this once Steve as I don't want to get into politics here. I think they all want power, perks, the party and more money. They forget why they are there except in their campaign speeches.
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Mike N
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Mike N »

Great rescue, Don. That beautiful reel deserved a second go-around.

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Robyn Summerlin
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Re: It Lives Again!

Post by Robyn Summerlin »

Nice work, Don! I admire your dedication.
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