Commander Ross
- m3040c
- Ultra Board Poster
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:52 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Commander Ross
My fellow collector / friend / partner and so many more places in my life filled by Ray Hodges is no longer with us. He has passed. I needed something special as a small memorial to Ray in my world. The first piece of work I had ever had published was about a reel purchased by Ray from a Langs Auction. The reel was a 1940 Edward vom Hofe, Commander Ross 14/0. When Ray purchased the reel it was a chrome plated version and was very rough.
The spool had been soldered. We talked about restoring the reel and I suggested to Ray to removed all the chrome and polish the German Silver. There was also a mechanical problem with the reel. Ray, being a very capable mechanic accomplished almost all of the restoration himself, he did farm out the spool because it needed to be spun on a lathe to remove the solder. He worked out the mechanical problems and finely polished the reel.
The entire process was documented by me and published in the Reel News magazine, (Volume XXI, #5, Sept., 2011). Anyone interested in restoration process of this reel can see it simply by ordering a back issue of that release...……………….. So, the restoration was complete and the reel stayed in Ray's collection until he passed away. I wrote the gentleman that is liquidating Ray's estate and worked out a purchase of this reel from Ray's estate...……………. Then the unthinkable happened, the reel was extremely damaged shipping it back to the USA from Brisbane, Australia. The irony was not to be believed. This, in its rough condition made the trip from the USA to Australia, unscathed; but after restoration, and being shipped back it was heavily damaged...……………………
I was heart broken by the event. After all insurance settlements were complete, I decided I would repair the reel, knowing my skill level would not be able to even faintly bring the reel back to its former glory; but I had to try. To my surprise, Dr John Elder came to my rescue and offered to repair the side plate. He told me that he had success repairing other vom Hofe reels, so I packed up the head plate and all related pieces and sent it off to California...………………. The results were literally amazing. Dr. Elder saved my reel. It is now sitting in a new glass house in my office shelving unit where it will reside until the next custodian comes along. That will be many years down the road because Ii now can look up every day and see Ray Hodges creation. It keeps Ray's memory alive for me in my little world...…… Many thanks to Dr. John Elder for this save, it had very deep meaning for me.
The spool had been soldered. We talked about restoring the reel and I suggested to Ray to removed all the chrome and polish the German Silver. There was also a mechanical problem with the reel. Ray, being a very capable mechanic accomplished almost all of the restoration himself, he did farm out the spool because it needed to be spun on a lathe to remove the solder. He worked out the mechanical problems and finely polished the reel.
The entire process was documented by me and published in the Reel News magazine, (Volume XXI, #5, Sept., 2011). Anyone interested in restoration process of this reel can see it simply by ordering a back issue of that release...……………….. So, the restoration was complete and the reel stayed in Ray's collection until he passed away. I wrote the gentleman that is liquidating Ray's estate and worked out a purchase of this reel from Ray's estate...……………. Then the unthinkable happened, the reel was extremely damaged shipping it back to the USA from Brisbane, Australia. The irony was not to be believed. This, in its rough condition made the trip from the USA to Australia, unscathed; but after restoration, and being shipped back it was heavily damaged...……………………
I was heart broken by the event. After all insurance settlements were complete, I decided I would repair the reel, knowing my skill level would not be able to even faintly bring the reel back to its former glory; but I had to try. To my surprise, Dr John Elder came to my rescue and offered to repair the side plate. He told me that he had success repairing other vom Hofe reels, so I packed up the head plate and all related pieces and sent it off to California...………………. The results were literally amazing. Dr. Elder saved my reel. It is now sitting in a new glass house in my office shelving unit where it will reside until the next custodian comes along. That will be many years down the road because Ii now can look up every day and see Ray Hodges creation. It keeps Ray's memory alive for me in my little world...…… Many thanks to Dr. John Elder for this save, it had very deep meaning for me.
mike cass,,, if you can't collect it, it must be food
- 54bullseye
- Super Board Poster
- Posts: 530
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:47 am
Re: Commander Ross
ELDERCARE is great !! JT
- john elder
- Star Board Poster
- Posts: 8555
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:44 pm
Re: Commander Ross
So glad to be able to help, Mike! I didn’t know Ray like you did, but he was a valuable member of our community and his knowledge and willingness to share it is greatly missed.
ORCA member since 1999
Honorary Life Member
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
Honorary Life Member
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
-
- Big ORCA Fan
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2018 6:07 pm
Re: Commander Ross
Mike - great news and great work. Rose and I were upset at
the damage was done in transit and the "irony" you mentioned.
Ray will be pleased it's back with you and ready for proud display.
We have sold nearly 300 reels for Ray's family and touch wood the Ross
has been the only one damaged in transit.
Many of the reels have ended up back in the States and we will be
listing the balance of the collection later in the year.
Again well done !
David Grier
the damage was done in transit and the "irony" you mentioned.
Ray will be pleased it's back with you and ready for proud display.
We have sold nearly 300 reels for Ray's family and touch wood the Ross
has been the only one damaged in transit.
Many of the reels have ended up back in the States and we will be
listing the balance of the collection later in the year.
Again well done !
David Grier
- Tom R
- Frequent Board Poster
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2016 4:21 pm
- Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, Honey Brook
Re: Commander Ross
Wonderful story about friendships developed over common interests. And a superb save by Mr. Elder.
- m3040c
- Ultra Board Poster
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:52 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
Re: Commander Ross
Thank you all for the kind responses. Love the ""Eldercare"" remark John T.
I am feeling better now with the Commander Ross repaired. That reel needed to be saved for many reasons and John Elder was there for the rescue.
I have been watching the listings and noticed you stopped selling for awhile now. I will be watching for future sales. You know me, I will be putting my two cents whenever I feel I might help. I know many of the buyers of Ray's reels, Ray's collection is moving into good hands.Mike - great news and great work. Rose and I were upset at
the damage was done in transit and the "irony" you mentioned.
Ray will be pleased it's back with you and ready for proud display.
We have sold nearly 300 reels for Ray's family and touch wood the Ross
has been the only one damaged in transit.
Many of the reels have ended up back in the States and we will be
listing the balance of the collection later in the year.
Again well done !
David Grier
I am feeling better now with the Commander Ross repaired. That reel needed to be saved for many reasons and John Elder was there for the rescue.
mike cass,,, if you can't collect it, it must be food