Worn out line guides in old baitcasters

[g,h. block]

Good replacement ones can't be found in many cases,this one is for an old j.c.higgins.



This one had .018 out of round in the level wind hole. the l.w. screw was still in good condition, .200 dia.is a standard size on many of those.

the guide is held in a precision vise on a mini mill, hole indicated in, and plunge cut with a 7/32 end mill,this trues up the hole and a thin wall bushing is turned in the lathe and pressed in.



back in the mill the pawl hole is indicated in, bushing is center drilled, drilled to 11/64 and reamed with a 3/16 reamer which is pawl hole dia.



the reel also had a broken off foot pillar,that was repaired by drilling and pressing in a new end and drilling and tapping for the 2-56 plate screw.

[Harry Verdurchi]

Very Nice Work Indeed .
A Government Machine Shop could most likely Replicate your work to +or - 2.4 MM for just under 2.5 Million Dollars in under 6 months.

[Paul M]

Skills of a master! Thanks for sharing.

[g,h. block]

Thanks for the nice comments,if i do sell items that have machining or alterations that would be disclosed.

gene

[Rick H]

Gene, I've seen a lot of restoration work done over time. There's a lot of guys that'll put a lot of time, money and machinery into making / re-making damaged, missing or broken parts. Most of those kinds of efforts "always" seem to be on the higher end reels...that need saving(?). You Sir, take restoration to a new level. The reel that you restored, would normally (IMHO) not even get a blink or a nod from the average collector, even in mint condition in the box.

It's VERY NICE to see someone who will put that kind of time and effort (not to mention machinery costs), into an old reel, that would not normally be considered (by most) a "collectible". Not to say people don't collect them. Some do. It's beyond refreshing to see someone like you that "just saves" a reel....any reel. They all have stories and they all are worth saving. Nicely Done !!!!