squiers brothers reel

[seruga]

I also posted this as a reply to a 10 year old string but just in case it doesn't get picked up there I thought I would post the topic to this board:
"picking up this old post in hopes of getting some information on how to disassemble this reel. It needs a good cleaning and some minor repairs. The headplate comes off easily enough but the rest is a mystery to me. The spool rides on a shaft but cannot be removed unless the line guide is removed. the line quide cannot be removed unless the tail plate is removed. Any advice on how to tackle this would be appreciated."

[john elder]

Please give us a couple more views. The green part is quite thick for a tailstock. Given that pillars and foot are riveted on the faceplate side, they aren’t intended to be broken down… what’s the back plate and gearing look like?

[seruga]

dirt was hiding the secret to the spool shaft - once cleaned it was revealed that the shaft is threaded. Very simple. That leaves the tail plate - not so easy - I don't see any seams and there is no wobble in the frame. The reel is very sturdy. M[timg]https:/
/images.orcaonline.org/u/24872/IMG_9042.jpg[/timg]
aybe it is not meant to be disassembled?

[john elder]

Did you try twisting the tail plate? Best bet would be counterclockwise. I would say that it was not intended to come apart, but fact is they would have to be able to get to the ends of the pillars, either to add a screw or to peen the ends of a rivet, as on the other end. If there is no seam , they couldn’t have made it!

[Midway Tommy D]

Bill Sonnett can help if you contact him

[Paul Roberts]

Sounds like Bill’s advice might involve a ziplock bag and a sledgehammer.

[Bill Sonnett]

I had forgotten this post and this reel. After reading my previous post I would only add: The spool can be removed but after that, all other parts that one normally removes to clean or replace are press-fitted. This is a great example of the surplus supply of aluminum immediately after WWII when every machine shop decided to branch out into new fields such as reels or boats. Having had no experience designing either their efforts quickly ran aground and have not been heard from since.

[Midway Tommy D]

But Bill, how does one separate and get into the tailplate?

[Bill Sonnett]

"press fitting" means that the tail plate is "permanently" attached. Should you pry it loose it will remain that way until you visit a machine shop---LOL

[seruga]

thank you for the confirmation Bill. I will do the best I can with what is in front of me. The reason I even have this reel is because I have embarked on a mission to collect reels from Michigan reel makers - quite a quirky bunch they were/are. I have a special interest in this reel because of where the brothers were located - Milford Michigan - Even though I have been away from the state for 45 years I still have a deeply fond connection to the area.

[Paul Roberts]

Sounds like a wonderful quest. Good luck with it.

As to the current reel, perhaps soak it in penetrating oil to loosen it up. Reassemble and put it on a shelf.

[Bill Sonnett]

Having cleaned a couple I would suggest a sonic cleaner bath. I can say, having had a mint one in the box, that the reel is never going to spin or even turn as smoothly as an everyday Pflueger or Shakespeare.

[seruga]

The reel cleaned up nicely. It is accurate to say this reel does not function as well as reels from other manufacturers. It is an oddity.
I pieced together a list of Michigan reel manufacturers - I have been able to acquire reels from the makers in bold type - are there any others that come to mind that I can add to the list?

a&s
alofs manufacturing company
betts & boddeus
bronson
C.H. Wisner
clay sporting goods
dearborn tackle company
flint reel co.
flip it reel company
fraser reel & specialty
goite
goldcap
great lakes products
heddon
hurd lock & manufacturing co.
kalamazoo reel co.
lifetime products
longfellow
marhoff
markle
oakwood precision grinding co.
ranger reel company
redcap
rengo reel company
river rat
riviera/kachman and off shore tackle
romada tool & mfg
schaller reel
shakespeare
squires brothers
st clair trolling reel
taggart
william atkinson

[Lynn Thomas]

Here is another reel for your Michigan made list : Vetco Pioneer. By Vetco Products Company, Detroit, Mich.

[john elder]

Wow, what an incredible list of makers for one State, even if it is Michigan! Geezer started making a list of makers by State several years ago and many people were contributing to it. That should be findable and it would be interesting to compare to your list. Best of luck in your quest!

John

Maybe you have already been to the orca page?
https://www.orcaonline.org/fishing-reel-maker-list/

Just put in MI to the search query and all the recorded MI makers will come up.

[seruga]

Thank you for the additions - I was able to add 15 additional companies to the list - now 43 names! - looking forware to continueing the research.

[leland99]

Bond Industries

[Steve]

Betts & Boddeus Manufacturing Co., Hamtramck, was succeeded by Betts Mfg. Co., Detroit, and Smooth Caster Mfg. Co., Detroit.

[seruga]

Thank you for the additions. Do you know the model reel Bond Industries made?
Further research led to the following additions:
G&S Machine Shop
Gapen Company
Micro Machine Company
Myco
Recreational Products
T&H Tackle Company