Aluminum Spool Repair??

[roscoe]

If you fish with spinning reels, sooner or later you are going to have a nick in the spool.<br /><br />Recently all the big reel manufacturers have gone with the aluminum spools, switching from the graphite that was popular a few years ago. Do you think it is worth it? Sure they can cast a little further, and be coated with teflon, etc. But if, I mean when, you bang or drop your rod, and it happens to everyone eventually, you end up with a nick in the spool. This can hang up the line, probably more than the older graphite did. And then there is always the possibility of line wear or cutting when you have the big one on.<br /><br />With that said, how do you repair/remove the nicks in your aluminum spools??<br /><br />I used FLITZ metal polish on one, but it took hours and I had to pull all the line off to use it.

 

[JB]

Re: Aluminum Spool Repair??

Hi, Roscoe.<br /><br />I don't use open face spinners, but here is what I would do.<br /><br />Dismantle the reel and empty the spool. polish away the nick with #400 or finer wet-or-dry paper(wet), then buff it back to a mirror finish with jeweler's rouge and a cotton wheel on my bench grinder.<br /><br />If the spool is anodized, I would just replace it.<br />www.southwesternparts.com probably can sell you a replacement spool. They have always had anything I asked for.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[miloman]

Re: Aluminum Spool Repair??

Roscoe JB is right on the mark. At any boat or fishing show you could buy several spools for about 5 each not the best quality but it will suffice. I generally have 4 spools per reel and once I get a nick i usually take a nail clipper try to clip the nick off if its big enough rough it up with 120 grit. Pull it off re spool and figure Ill fix it over winter. I have a milk crate full of spools in such condition

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Aluminum Spool Repair??

I vote 4 graphite, just treat with silicone or even PAM 4 a little extra cast...<br />of course I prefer old Mitchell's for spinnin'<br />fish on!<br />M.Y.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Aluminum Spool Repair??

Thanks to all, and JB thats a great link for parts, found some I need. Easy to find the part you need from the schematics on site.<br /><br />I've had only one really badly damaged spool, and had a spare. Most people couldn't even see the nicks, but I can feel them and knowing they are there bugs me. I could probably just buff them out on a cotton wheel, if i had one, or get one.<br />I would replace them if the reels were worth anything, most are under $50, and new spools cost $20-$30. I've got a few more expensive reels, but usually pick up a rod with a mid priced (Sahara-Shimano) reel, just because they feel good and I know the drag will always work smooooooothly. But I digress. Thanks again.