Worst Job in Fishing Reel Manufacturing

[Bill Muth]

After almost 30 years of collecting fishing reels, including dismantling and reassembling hundreds, maybe thousands of old fishing reels, I am prepared to make a declaration: The worst job in the history of fishing reel manufacturing went to the poor schmuck who held the title "South Bend Bait Co. - Final Reel Assembly - Anti-Backlash Installer."

I will wait for someone to prove me wrong. . . .

[wrong99]

Amen to that!!!

[Bill Sonnett]

My nomination is the fellow who had to grease and assemble automatic fly reels--LOL

[arley]

Or the guy responsible for installing the spring in auto fly reels.

[Jim Madden]

Bill, first, I agree that the auto fly reel takes the prize. I think I've almost been decapitated by my mistakes. Anyway, I have posted this many moons ago on the ABL assembly. Get the spring set in the headplate and push the headplate on the reel slightly turned counter-closkwise a couple of degrees. It may help to actually tighten the ABL adjusting knob all the way first. As you push the headplate on, slowly turn it clockwise until it is lined up. That SHOULD engage the spring to the lever, and go ahead and screw the plate in. If you're dealing with bakelite spacers, that's a whole different story. If so, just message me, and I can help. Jim

[Steve]

It's a pity that poor young Ben Meek
Would remain in a foul state of pique,
Till blessed with the news
He could number his screws.
Reel assembly was slashed to a week.

[Paul Roberts]

Steve, that's a wonderful poem!

Thought I'd add this here from my SB1200 thread, for the frustrated SB AB owner:

Received a 1200. Pretty it is. Was a bit sluggish caster so I tore it down and it was over-greased. Putting it back together was a challenge. Got better at it each attempt! The biggest challenges were:

-Lining everything up between the side plates: the worm, worm cover, AB bail, and pillars. Found that the AB bail has to fit deeply into the face-plate side. Phew! Easy from here, right? Not quite...

-The AB control arm must be turned just right (down), by the adjustment knob, so the AB bail contact wire sits above the arm. Just cranking the knob all the way back doesn't do it. Just watch the arm as you turn the knob and you'll see it raise and lower, slightly. Put the face plate on when the arm is lowered. Phew!

It'll be easier next time. Hope this helps anyone cleaning an SB AB reel.