Its not that, its just not cost effective, Ive repaired Mitchell reels for nearly 4 decades. A major problem with the original lubricant is that if its not been flushed and properly maintained sense new the orignal breakin lubricant has turned to something akin to melted crayola's or cosmolene. Then there is the problem of week or damaged parts long out of production. Something simple as the bail springs will run you $3.50 plus shipping. Simply put with round trip shipping and lets say your reel is perfect, absolutely new in the box just sticky, cleaning time, materials, and appropriate lubricants ( I like Garcia Silicot lube and oil, at $10 an ounce, a good cleaning, lubrication and round trip shipping will run you around $45 not including parts. Thats for a new reel in the box without problems. I used to do such repairs alot before I retired, many hundreds if not thousands on Mitchell, Penn and Dam spinning reels, but frankly unless its a sentimental thing, its not real cost effective. Just my opinion. If the reel has some sentimental connection let me know, I can restore it to better than new at my costs, plus $15 an hour labor, about an hour and a half in cleanup and assembly without parts or best lubricants, I only charge what the parts cost me to locate from dealers plus shipping to me. Shipping is exactly what the USPS charges for round trip to me and back, plus insurance at least on the return trip. Example, cleaning no parts with proper lubricants $28.50 plus return shipping. But be advised parts can run it up quickly! Im only qualified to do down to scratch repairs on Mitchell, Penn and Dam Spinning reels, Mitchell conventional and Penn Conventiional Salt water reels, as well as Mitchell fly reels and Abu Garcia fly reels. That just happens to be what I did for many years long before retirement. Also be advised that If I have to sourse parts, I have a few sourses, we would have to wait on delivery for return timming and those costs would be mine plus shipping to me. The time it takes to assemble and properly lubricate would be the same. Richard
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