Just picked up a new addition to the family. It's an old timber 7"Alvey. Looks pretty cruddy but in good nick. The back of the spool gives some idea of what it should come out like when fully restored. Now I have to find a good carbon fibre blank in the old mustard yellow colour to match it.
Has anyone restored one for use. Any hints or ideas on the finish would be appreciated
Neil
The inside looks a bit better
What about dropping in a small bowl of dip surrounded by a generous helping of CC's. You can't say no.
Grab one of those old green scourers from the kitchen and a tooth brush to clean up the heavier corrosion around the handles, wipe out any internal sand then smear with an oily rag around the inside metals. If the line is brittle replace it then fish the hell out of it, the beach sand will do the rest for you
I wouldn't redo any varnish, maybe just put a bit of nail polish or similar if there is any open timber, so she keeps her character
I thought about leaving it basically as is but the idea of it stripped and varnished is growing on me.
Neil
There are some REALLY good furniture polishes around lately.... They restore wood beautifully!
There's one I used to use when restoring violins... I'll have to have a search and see if I've got any left & tell you what it is... It had an orangey/brown label... That's all I remember.
Be wary if you're going to remove the varnish & redo it. Make sure you do it properly, and not half-assed. It would be a shame to ruin the reel...
when that reel was made carbon fibre rods were unheard of...fibreglass was just starting and the best rods were the cane ones...I threw 3 cane rods out last year.
Looks like all it needs is putting on the rod.
I have to admit it is in pretty good nick considering its age. I might just throw a bit of line on it and give it a go on Sat
Neil
I may be wrong but that varnish may be the old "shellak" stuff.
Alot of the old time varnish was made from the sap of grass trees (yukka's)
You can sometimes find the nuggets of sap around the base of the yukka's, especially the larger ones after a fire. To make the varnish, just soak them in a jar of metho for a few days, then give it a good shake and stir, away ya go.
Gives a good finish and that rich dark red color. I beleive that the grass trees on kangaroo island were used in the commercial production of Shellak many years ago. I have used it on a few items, love the antique look it gives. It is also quite durable.
A call to Alvey may be able to confirm the finish.
Regards, Tony
WOW a classic mate...Ive got quite a few smaller models with the big old brass eye on the front.....
WOW a classic mate...Ive got quite a few smaller models with the big old brass eye on the front.....
Hi, Neil. I would advise you not to restore it. It seems to be in pretty good nick as it is. If you revarnish or shellack it you will probably devalue it considerably. (no offence intended) The best bet would be to take the original spool off (store it where it won't get damaged) and buy a new timber (cedar, same as the old one) spool to use on it. If you woul like more info, or help finding a spool , pls advise here (on this chat board).
regards, Bruce McD.
Bruce
Where can you source these timber spools? I was quite impressed by their light weight. Any idea of cost?
Neil
thats a good find there Neil!
the best thing you can do is to keep on using it.
I have not long ago restored my old grand father's fishing rod, you know, the mustard yellow one you've mentioned, although it's the fibreglass type.
I left the butt section in original condition ie- the cork grips still in very good condition but show the years. I want that to stay, and the reel seat is also good.
I replaced the old guides with some new fujis but not to suit an alvey, I will likely be using an egg beater.
Good luck restoring that reel.
GO THE CRUISER UTES!
....OH WHAT A FEELING!
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