2½ Inch All Brass Perfect

Introduction

Kind of looks ok here

Stage 1

And again the reel looks good

Stage 2

First signs things are not right with a modern style central locking screw

Stage 3

Getting interesting now. The lower foot perforation is filled in with lead solder

Stage 4

The “C” spring is broken and half of it is missing

Stage 5

Strip down and close inspection of all of the reel parts

Stage 6

I removed the lead and the bit of brass that was inside the foot’s perforation

Stage 7

There was evidence of the front of the spool rubbing against the foot pillars. And I also found the reel frame to be a bit buckled

Stage 8

Very carefully machining the the rough end of the foot that had been soldered

Stage 9

I had taken a scrap piece of bronze, put a curve in the underside and drilled/filed a similar hole as the other end of the foot

Stage 10

Silver soldered the piece I had made to the existing foot

Stage 11

I needed to adjust the frame so that it was perfectly round again. I then checked to make sure there was the correct clearance between the spool and frame. This was out by a very small amount so I machined the inside diameter of the reel but only the foot pillars needed a fine shave. You can also see the repair I did on the foot

Stage 12

The reel is resting on a photocopy of a similar reel so that I could use this as a guide to make the little “S” spring that sits on top of the pawl. The replacement spring is half finished and needs to be cut and filed to the correct length and width

Stage 13

The little “S” spring in place after hardening and tempering. I replaced the “C” spring with an original Hardy item and only because I like doing it, I soldered little brass pads on both ends of the spring

Stage 14

Finished reel after bronzing and lacquering. The reel was tuned and lubricated with good quality grease and oil

Stage 15

Looks nice

Stage 16

I made a correct replica centre screw from nickel silver and this was lightly bronzed to give it an aged look to match the visual appearance of the reel

Stage 17

A view of the underside of the foot and note the verdigris on the spool and other areas of the reel. I do my very best not to remove none invasive corrosion and try to keep this and any other war wounds a reel may have suffered because this adds character to the piece

Stage 18

Finished reel with a spare set of balls to replace any that are lost from the open bearing housing