Mitchell Reel Museum Discussion Group

Greetings Florida Phil.
to the Mitchell Reel Museum.
Liondor, one of our most respected mates, has put together a chart that I use, and I believe that your reel was produced in 1966. I haven't used this chart that often, so I'm hoping I read it correctly.
Regards,
Ted Lanham

Now I can see it. Thanks. Perfect.

Phil, would be great to see a photo of your reel, as this era 308 had some distinct features later 308s did not have...

Sandman

Wow, this is interesting and helpful.
I will post some pics the first chance I get. What would be some of the unique features? I well want to get the right pics.

It seems in awfully good condition for 1961. Wow.

Does anyone know the production numbers for the Mitchell 408S?
Kim

Mates, I'm hoping this photo shows up well and some find it useful for dating. It is the same info as Christian's UL accumulated years matrix, displayed in a dating format. I evenly distributed annual production quantities by month, spread across each year, to give an idea of which month a serial number was produced. Of course, these monthly estimates are just that, estimates. Primarily, it just makes it easier at a glance to see what year a UL was produced.

Sandman

Phil, there are many characteristic changes from version to version and even within different years of same version, so it is difficult to know them all. not sure anyone does, but the schematics on this site are of the most help.

The teflon washer around the spindle at the base of the spool did not exist in your era of reel. it came later.

The "D" spacer between the pinion gear and rotor did exist, so maybe someone removed it to help line lay. I don't know, but I would put one on and try it. It was the thicker of the two D spacers. The thinner one is between the rotor and the axle lock nut.

The thrust washer did not exist on your reel. You can verify this by looking for a milled out area of the housing around the main drive gear spindle which would be the exact same size and depth of the thrust washer. I think these washers came later than your reel.

Your getting there. Again, photos would help...

Sandman

Phil, also forgot to answer your schematic question. The second schematic listed is the one you should be using for your reel. It is labeled 1961 in the lower left corner of the doc. It is the closest schematic know to your reel. If you notice, it doesn't show a thrust washer or teflon washer on the spool. There are some subtle drawing differences, but I believe the parts should match your reel exactly (don't hold me to that)....seems to always be exceptions to the rule in the Mitchell world....part of what makes it interesting...

Sandman

Had to figure out how to load them. I had the resolution too high.

Phil, first of all, very nice reel and find. I can see why you didn't think this reel was 56 years old. From the photos, it looks almost new. I love it when you find them like this. From the chrome to the paint, I would say never used, but two things make me think very gently used, but again, going just off photos.

1) The crank handle knob seems to be smooth. If unused, or even gently used, these plastic knobs are noticeably knurled from the factory (for grip). While it doesn't take years of use to smooth down the knurling, it does take some use, and can give an idea of how much use the reel has.

2) The spool does not seem original to the reel. The drag tension spring fibre washer was reddish during this era, not grey, and, the tension spring did not have the three small "dimpled" cut-outs around the edge of the spring. They were perfectly circular during this era.

All other characteristics I can see, are period correct. It may be that the crank handle (or just the knob since the actual crank handle shaft is correct) and spool were replaced or switched with another reel.

As previously noted, this reel did not come with a thrust washer or teflon washer at the spool base, but did come with a D ring spacer between the pinion gear and rotor.

Many other attributes confirm the rotor head, bail assembly, body and gears are period correct. These include; Bold font cast into bottom of rotor head, pan head line guide screw, no thrust washer, solid brass/copper main drive gear sleeve, hole in main drive gear shaft with oilite bushing in shaft (you can check for this, the bushing should be removed, cleaned and reloaded with fresh oil) and others.

Again, I may change some of my views if I had the reel in hand, but you did a great job of providing photos. Just only have so much resolution to work with.

All in all, very, very nice reel. Congratulations! I would be happy to have that reel in my collection.

Sandman