Vintage JC Higgins 312 baitcasting reel how to take apart and service

[@douglasmacquarrie5002]

just found on for 10$ and now thanks to you it'll be on the water again

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Great to hear. Best wishes for great fishing with the reels - Dennis

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

Another "tuition" reel for me this weekend. A big Daiwa ag9000x spinning reel. Maybe early 90's? That old JC Higgins looks like a nice reel!

[@2ndChanceTackle]

That is a big one and your time line is about right. Best wishes for a great learning experience - Dennis

[@6thmichcav262]

I cleaned up a Wards Skipper yesterday that had a lot of end shake in the spool. I think there is a spring or washer missing, but I don’t know where to find schematics for the Bronson trade reels. Cleaned up another Langley and it worked like a champ.

[@2ndChanceTackle]

A lot of times the Bronson reel schematics apply to their trade reels, it just takes some time to find the right design. Thanks for the note - Dennis

[@christopherjenkins2373]

My only J. C. Higgins reel is actually a Bretton 903 saltwater spinning reel made in France. Sears stopped using the J. C. Higgins brand name around 1961 so you know this reel is at least that early and probably earlier. I know nothing about other reels of that brand. I do know who J. C. Higgins was though. You did a great job on this reel Dennis. I got another Mitchell 302 today. You just can’t get enough of those reels. I have 5 now but one is a parts reel.

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@uncle reeler I remember it well. The only tools to have were Craftsman. Now you can buy them just about anywhere. Now I collect vintage fishing reels and a J. C. Higgins reel is an heirloom and I am too.

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@uncle reeler I totally agree. I have about 38 Mitchells and I’ve fished with all but 1. I’ve been collecting vintage surf spinning reels made before 1980 and I’m up to about 160 reels now. I have more Mitchells, Daiwas, and Penns than others.I have one Penn I won’t use - a 1961 1st edition Spinfisher 700. Other than that I fish with 7 greenies, 4 Z reels, and 3 Penn silvers. I only have one other reel I don’t use - a rare French Mer 52 PUNCH Surf Reel from the 1950s. Honestly I have too many reels to continue to use them all. I’m getting tired of taking 20 reels with me on every fishing trip because I can’t decide which ones I want to use. I started collecting reels I wanted to use but now it’s gotten out of control. I admit I have an addiction.

[@christopherjenkins2373]

@uncle reeler I know exactly what you mean. I think my wife has the commitment papers drawn up and ready for me. By the way, only about 4 of my reels are on the shelf in my study. All the rest are in bins , numbered, tagged, and catalogued so I can find them when I want them. I do have right many in their original boxes. I wish I did have a way to display them because I have some beauties. I recently built an all chrome Mitchell 498 from parts. It took me 3 months to find the parts and get them to fit but I finally finished it. That is the only Mitchel I have I won’t fish with. It’s just too beautiful and took too much money and effort to take a chance and mess it up. I do have an Ocean City 300 and am still trying to find a good 310 and 320. You’re so right about present day reels in 70 years. Dennis’ KZbin Channel would be “Fossilized Junk fishing reels” aka. “No Chance Tackle.” You are a man after my own heart. I’ve enjoyed talking with you so much! Do you have any old Luxors or an Airex Mastereel Saltwater Reel No. 1 lever drag spinning reel? I have 3 of those lever drags. I also love DAM Quick reels from the 60s. I even have a Ryobi spinning reel with a side mounted star drag. It is really strange. I am so amazed and in awe of what our forefathers did without computers or Chinese chop shops. They had a pride in their work and a commitment to their craft that is long gone except for a very few reel makers today (not owned at Pure Fishing!!) The current French Peerless Bam fishing reels are just about the only ones I would buy today. They are the only reel makers left in Europe and still make quality reels in the old style we love. I am so happy to meet someone who feels like I do about quality vintage fishing reels. I’m about 60% blind so I can’t use conventional reels any more but I love my old spinners. Take care my friend. We need to talk more. It has been a joy! --- Chris

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for the additional info Chris. Dennis

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Wow - memories! Thanks for the reminders

[@stuartwebster829]

Christopher,liked your recent post.There are much worse things to be addicted to. Sounds like you have a great collection.I would like to boost my numbers of Penn spinning reels but they aren’t easy to find at justifiable prices in the UK. I haven’t totted up how many reels I have,just in case my wife finds out! Best wishes Stuart

[@2ndChanceTackle]

Thanks for sharing