Penn Senator 3/0 rebuild and general servicing including take apart and drags

This video shows how to take apart and service or repair the high speed Penn Senator 3/0 reel. The procedures would be similar for the black sided older 3/0 Senator, except for the way the side plates detach.
I have been servicing fishing reels for over 20 years and am sharing my experience here. If you enjoy the video, please "like" it. If you want to see more, please subscribe, as I am frequently posting the reels I repair. Comments? Questions? I reply to all. Than you - Dennis K.

[@markstubbs1973]

I’m up to 87 senators now Dennis I was looking at the last time we spoke I had 57 a year ago I’m a tackle tart I love your videos

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Wow - you can open a new Congress with a few more!!!!! Or maybe a tackle shop??? Thanks Mark - Dennis

[@TheLife1100]

Hi, I purchased one of this legendary old reels and a received it last week. I saw this video many times in order to know how to inspect this old reel and to check if everything is working good . Thanks to this video I succeeded to rebuild and check the reel. The anti revers doesn't worked good. I cleaned the outside surface from corrosion as you explained in another video. I checked and cleaned all the interior parts and lubricated it. Now it is working smoothly and very good and the anti revers is o.k. I have ordered new drag washers and I will replace the old ones. Thank you for your great tips and videos !!!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

You are welcome Ezra. If the anti-reverse is poor, you should change the dog and spring. They can wear and weaken over time. Thanks for viewing. If you haven't subscribed, please do to see more to come - Dennis

[@TheLife1100]

@@2ndChanceTackle I have subscribed.I get notifications when you upload a new videos.The anti-reverse is working good after I cleaned it.There was a dry grease on the dog and on the teeth of the anti-revers.Thanks Dennis.

[@markstubbs1973]

Thanks Dennis I love the Penn senator videos that you do I collect them I have 57 reels in every size all USA restored reels

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the kind words. That's quite a collection. I gave up doing that a while ago as I realized I would rather restore and pass them on then to let them collect in a closet and not be used. - Dennis

[@yakimastubbs7762]

Great job of instruction Dennis, you're the best.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I appreciate that and I appreciate you watching. Please stay tuned and stay well during the pandemic - Dennis

[@dannymcdonald286]

Another real done Dennis thanks a lot it's exactly like the one you have except I have a short handle it doesn't have the long handle with the balancing end it was my uncle's used it for rock fishing it looks nice and new I'm going to take it out and do the same thing he did Rock fishing

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The single side handle was standard on the later reels so don't worry that it is not original. Good luck fishing with it! Dennis

[@TheDtrolinder]

Another awesome video... Thanks !

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the kind feedback - Best wishes - Dennis

[@patrickireland7018]

thanks for the great video

[@pabpab871]

Fabulous job on this. Thank you!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thank you. I am trying my best to translate my experience into videos that others can learn from and enjoy in the process. - Dennis

[@allanreager3306]

My special senator 3/0 only has 12 lbs of drag, I fish bottom for grouper and it barely cuts it with the drag jammed down, any tips on drag washers to make it 20 plus I love the gearing and frame better than any other reel but lack of drag is what holds it back. Thanks.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Allan, I am not an expert on max drag, but my first thought is to change out your drag washers and replace them with Carbontex That should give you more than the originals, but I don't know how much more. The other "trick" I have heard, is to add another washer to the stack so that you have 2 in-between the metals in one segment. (4 vs. 3 overall). The reel clearance between the manger and the side plate allows for that. That increases the surface area of drags which should result in a higher max drag. Best wishes - Dennis

[@allanreager3306]

2nd Chance Tackle appreciate it! I’ll try it!

[@allanreager3306]

2nd Chance Tackle could you do a video on it would be much appreciated for it

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I am away this week, but will try to add it when I return - Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@embarcadosviedma]

Hello, i am from Argentina, i have a question about 2 reels: which one do you like best between de senator 3/0 and the daiwa sealine 300h, i do have some senators, like the 6/0 and the 9/0, but none of the small version.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

I like the Daiwa Sealine series, which includes the 300H. Both the Senator and this reel are built to last along time if properly maintained, Tough choice, but I'll go with the Daiwa - Dennis

[@embarcadosviedma]

@@2ndChanceTackle thank you very much, i just bought it, It has probably 20/30 years old, but looks new. My first made in japan!

[@markbrigham6596]

Help? Thanks, what a service you perform for us vintage anglers. My 3.0 is making a serious rattle from what sounds like the spool when I cast it. Could the bushings be worn that much and if so is it just a matter of replacing the spool screws on both sides? Thank you

[@2ndChanceTackle]

If it is not a worn click ring, then yes, it should be either side bearing. If it is making the noise in free spool and there are no other gearings parts involved, then those are the only other parts that come into play. Thanks for asking - Dennis

[@jacklowe3788]

Thanks for video- How does this Senator 3.0 stack up against Daiwa 30H?

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Both reels are built to last and they are backed by strong engineering. Both the 30H and the red sided special 3/0 have high gear rations. I think the bearings in the 30H are better and make casting easier. There are still parts available for the Senator and parts are harder to find for the 30H, so if taking this one fishing for years to come and keeping it maintained is a concern, then the parts available makes the Senator more desirable. Either way, you can't go wrong in choosing either one as your go to reel for medium side game fish or deep drop fishing. Thanks for asking. - Dennis

[@jacklowe3788]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thanks Mr Dennis for the advice!

[@steveburch5113]

Where are you, more or less? And thanks for the vids.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

New Jersey. I cn be contacted at [e-mail]

[@MikeSmith-ym9eq]

My 112H won’t spin; the drag is always engaged even when slack. What should I check, and in what order? Thank you in advance.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Sounds like something is frozen in the reel. If you cannot move the free spool lever and the reel is tight, then the problem would be in the gears. That could be a pinion gear frozen to the spool shaft or something else. If you do not have variability in the drag system, then the drag washers are likely stuck to the metals. Take the side plate off of your reel and inspect it. You will probably see the cause of your issue without going much further - Dennis

[@MikeSmith-ym9eq]

@@2ndChanceTackle I disassembled, inspected, reassembled it a few times, but made no progress. (I own four 112H’s; the others are smoooooth…) It’s as if something is warped. I ended up bringing it to a shop to keep what’s left of my sanity.

[@HoofHearted_Eh]

I lost the dog spring. I was very careful but somehow it shot out and i could not find it. Where do i buy it? Thanks.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

The spring can be ordered through Mysticparts.com under the parts section and conventional reels

[@HoofHearted_Eh]

@@2ndChanceTackle Thanks.