Rough spot in Mitchell 408 main gear

[Phil M.]

Mitchell 408 has a slightly rough spot every time the handle cranks by the 10 o'clock position. Cam and axle assembly have been removed, but problem persists. Cleaned the main gear spotlessly to get a better look at the brass teeth, but no deformity can be seen to the naked eye at the problem area. Any ideas on how to approach this? Would a brass brushing of the teeth in that area help? Thanks in advance.

[Midway Tommy D]

You could try the wire brush but I have my doubts as to whether it will correct the problem.

You state that the rough spot is @ 10 o'clock on every rotation. That tells me you have a 5:1 gear ratio, probably not 5.5:1, otherwise the rough spot would be @ more than one location. Have you checked the planetary gearing and the pinion gear for rough spots? Also, the 408 has a dust shield that can sometimes cause roughness if the main gear isn't shimmed correctly.

Helical gears are difficult to file but it can be done with a mini, or fingernail file, or emery cloth if you find the rough tooth/spot. There is a screw in the body housing to remove the pinion gear/bearing mechanism. If you remove it be careful not to loosen the nut that holds the mechanism together, otherwise you'll have loose balls rolling all over the place. NOS replacement bearing mechanisms for those are no longer available.

Good luck. Rough spots are difficult to pin down and correct sometimes, especially on 50 year old reels.

[Phil M.]

Tom, thanks for the reply. This is a pre-1978 Mitchell 408 and so it has a 5.5 to 1 retrieve. The main gear shim measured .021" and it seemed like quite a tight fit, so I substituted 3 .006" washers to actually increase the clearance and this had the greatest positive effect. I think someone would have to be a little eccentric to complain, or even notice it, at this point. Thanks for the input.

[piscesman]

You can try Mitchell reel museum website. Go to board index. Parts are still available depending on which one. Dick Janik is 1 person I know that has parts. Ebay would be your 2nd choice once you determine that part. The reel has Gleason gears and I have never heard of them going bad. The bearing is pressed in and can be replaced. Maybe the reel was dropped and cause the problem? Good Luck....
Kim

[Cuttyhunker]

I had a Penn 700 that had a cracked main gear from the axle to the edge that gave the same hitch in the action at a specific handle position, not so much to bind, but enough to feel it in the handle, your gears are much smaller so maybe some magnification might be in order. On a Mitch 300 once I had one of the main gear teeth slightly bent, again only enough just to feel it, not bind things up.
Good Luck,
Bob