Thread: Penn 704Z, thinking about...

I just acquired a Penn 704Z and was thinking about possibly drilling the spool & rotor cup.
I've seen some pics of some that ranged from simplistic to works of art, and I am intrigued.
Anyone have any firsthand tips/tricks for doing it?
Pros & Cons?

My plans for this reel is to mount it on a 10' surf rod and toss baits over the bar.

I'm thinking something on the simplistic side.


This 706 is a work of art.
[img width=720 height=478]http://cdn.stripersonline.com/4/47/47fac195_706striped8.jpeg[/img]
[img width=720 height=478]http://cdn.stripersonline.com/e/eb/eb90b2d5_706striped2.jpeg[/img]
[img width=600 height=399]http://cdn.stripersonline.com/3/37/600x399px-LL-37d3003c_706striped1.jpeg[/img]
[img width=600 height=399]http://cdn.stripersonline.com/7/74/600x399px-LL-74751347_706striped9.jpeg[/img]

Only one pro and a few of the several cons.

Pro:
It looks cool.

Cons:
Weakens spool or rotor.
A lot of work for no advantage.
Cool doesn't matter to fish.

The rotor is cast,not machined,it will not work.I have several 704 rotors and I will be happy to give you one to play with before you mess yours up.

[quote author=DRH link=topic=1830.msg17188#msg17188 date=1344807486]
Cons:
Weakens spool or rotor.
[/quote]
[quote author=john g link=topic=1830.msg17191#msg17191 date=1344809917]
The rotor is cast,not machined,it will not work.I have several 704 rotors and I will be happy to give you one to play with before you mess yours up.
[/quote]Thanks, but no need.
Info such as yours & DRH's, is exactly why I ask before doing such.

I thought of doing this as well a while back. Then I remember wanting to get a pierced ear, mullet hair cut and even a mohawk when I was in highschool......Now at 45 years old this tattoo aint as cool as I thought it was when I was 25. So glad I did not do some of those things..

What I have learned, is that the cool old Penns and Mitchells can look like crap as long as the parts are clean tight and have good drag washers. Dont think the crooks look at em as much that way either.

I will say upgrading a few things will not hurt. Handle knob, HT drag washers, new bearing, duracoat or screen print dipping if paint is horrible. Seen some cool patterns for screen print dipping. Been told automotive and rattle can paint does not stay on well.


Bubba Feesh

I finally took the time to disassemble, inspect and give it some TLC.
It was feeling a bit gritty, and I found out why immediately upon removing the side plate.
It apparently had been some time, if ever, since it'd been maintained. It's grease was hardened like old peanut butter and there was quite a bit of salt and a little of what appeared to be very fine sand. Gears showed a bit of wear and slight corrosion, but it ran very smoothly after maintenance. The drag stack was full of the same salt & fine sand, and I replaced the HT100s, sanded a couple of spots on the SS washers and lubed the stack with Cal's grease. Tested the drag with multiple a straight line pulls, and it maxes at approx 10#.

The only real defects on this reel are, some bubbling paint on the reel's foot, and a big chip in the finish just below the foot on the support arm. Anyone have a suggestions for fixing these, without a complete refinishing?

I'm very pleased with it's overall condition, and look forward to fishing it.

however you refinish it just dont drill the spool. had a buddy with a drilled 706 blow up on a shark. it just makes the spool weak