Ulster Casting Club

I havent used it in ages.. I know there are some internal problems.. I heard a while ago that you can get it serviced by a penn rep.. does anyone have his number and address.

thanks
stephen

What kind of internal problems? Did somebody take it apart who should have known better?

If you still have the exploded diagram it shouldn't be too hard to put right. Failing that there are diagrams on several angling / casting websites. You should be able to completely strip and rebuild the reel in about 20 minutes. Failing the you could take it to Allister at Tight Lines and he could tell you who the rep is.

To be honet Penns tend to be pretty bullet proof so it's probably something simple that's been reinstalled wrongly. A pity you didn't say on sunday.

Try here - http://schematics.planetseafishing.com/ ... eries.html

Or there are more on the Jersey site.

Sean -

I havent used it ages.. I actually think I got a bad reel tbh that or else i dropped it... When I first took it apart I noticed that the casing of the bearing wasnt there and I could see the bearing's (No.55).. I also noticed that the threads where away on the bearing retainer (No.173).. this allows the handle to actually moved in and out about an inch...

http://schematics.planetseafishing.com/ ... 525mag.pdf

Hmm - was this reel new or did you buy it secondhand? If it's secondhand then maybe the original owner was trying to "speed it up". As far as I know 525 spool bearings come with dust shields installed. But there was a time a few years ago when "casters" used bearings without the dust shields installed, thinking it would make the bearings run quicker. More stupid thinking! Some would remove both but others would remove only one and when they installed them the open side was placed facing inside the spool to try and keep dirt out of them.

If the bearings are still running smoothly then I wouldn't worry too much about them but the other part, the retaining bracket is a big problem. If the threads are stripped you could try slightly bigger screws. You could maybe get away with Loctite if they're not too bad. Otherwise it looks like a replacement part and I take it that would mean a new frame - expensive. I don't have Penn 525's so don't have the phone numbers of the Service department but you should be able to find it if you google it. Maybe one of the tackle dealers can supply it.

Sean -

I bought it from new with a powerstix combo.. I didnt really use at first then started using and noticed the amount of play in the handle.

It sounds like it could be expensive to fix if a new frame is required. I think i'd try bigger screws in the bearing retainer first. Much cheaper option!

I take it it's now out of warrenty and you didn't fill out the guarantee card?

Sean.

Here is the number I used a few years ago for Penn's service dept. I had a problem with my original 525 Supermag, apparently a bad spool was the problem in my case.

01418146565

Lee

I took it apart again last night.. I had some larger screws that did the job and I need to replace the bearing.. other than that it seems ok.. I need to give the bearings a clean and balance the spool.
thanks
stephen

Well that's maybe the most costly part fixed. As for the bearings there are several options but have you tried flushing them out in lighter fuel or are you wanting to replace them because of the missing dust shield? New or replacement spool bearings can be got from Penn Services, ebay (various outlets), TG's developments, Mike's Tackle, etc. It shouldn't be too hard too track down replacements.

Sean -

I drew this quickly... its not the spool bearings as I stated earlier.. apologies.. its the larger ones within the reel housing

Ok. Apart from the lack of a dust shield why are you wanting to replace them. The bearings in the spool are the important ones with the ones in the frame only there for spindle support. As long as they still move that's all you really need from them.

As for balancing the spool, that's a bifferent matter - good luck with that! Actually it only takes time stripping and reloading the spools line until it runs smoothly and quitely. Not rocket science but it can be time consuming.

Sean -

I suppose I just dont like the bearing being seen. it does make a noise when reeling in but nothing too sinister..
I was talking to lee, jonny and alister about balancing the spool. They were saying about taping the line and not letting it over-lap then put the reel into free spool and putting it on a glass surface and if it makes a noise its not balanced correctly!
thanks
stephen

Yeah, that's a good starting point to seeing how balanced your spool is. But the only true way is to clamp it to a rod and go casting with it. You'll be spinning the spool faster for a start and that will magnify balance problems that didn't appear with the "static" table top spin. You'll also be able to feel vibrations that you might miss otherwise.

I have a pair of 7HT Turbos that sound and look fine when spun and set down on a glass topped table but stick them on a rod and actually cast them and it's a very different matter! Casting the reel is the ultimate balance test.

Sean -

spot on thanks sean.. head out this weekend and do a bit of casting again... try and balance them tonight..
thanks again