I have an old Orvis Wye and it rasps as it rotates. Only on one side. Do I simply bend it in or is there more to it. Its a nice little reel and I’d like to use it more but it is slow to wind as every rotation has a slight rub.

I have a bucket of steam and a Pennsylvania Dutch Boughorer . Its likely not the spindle but rather spool is bent. Perhaps I should use the Cedar and tap hammer to bend the spool sides back to where they don't rub?

Tomorrow.

Trev,
Oh! the PDB! Thats one, the Avatar in the picture and here I thought you wanted a picture of a bucket of steam.

I see you're in the Joplin area. Got a friend there. Sawmill owner and dulcimer hobbiest. What do you fish for there.

So if the reel only scrapes at one point, once per revolution, wouldn't that be an out of square spool side rather than the spindle?

I can understand if this reel can't be saved but it seems worth a try. Not a terribly rare or expensive reel but was liked by many back in its time. I have $40 in it.

I know about buckets of steam and pieces of water line, was a swab in my long gone youth, it is possible that a picture of the reel could help. In posting pictures of reels it's useful to see the guts and the down side of the spool after evisceration.
That is a rimmed spool? I would think that the rim could be dinged or slightly out of round, one reason I don't like them other than added weight. But any thing that changes the alignment between the plate/frame and spool can cause rubbing, a cocked spindle is one of those things. If you don't have Spanish cedar, bass wood should work, it will keep the hammer tracks to a minimum.

oh, fish, I chase sm bass and stocked trout as a rule, but we have most fresh water fish available, and some unusual stuff like spoonbill. Lakes have stripers and hybrid bass too. I keep thinking I'll hone in on cat fish on fly or redhorse, but bass and trout are easy pickings and I'm a lazy.

I would loosen the screw on the backplate, use the block and jeweler's hammer until it didn't rub, and re-tighten the screw.
I've done this before

I would say the spindle is basically tilted and possibly not centered - the block goes through the frame against the spindle - I would start driving it away straight in from where the spool is touching the backplate.

Yes, this is a tap-tap-tap thing using a jeweler's hammer

Bulldog's suggestion sounds ideal. Stamped components will often return to their ideal shape with a little judicious pressure--one reason paintless dent removal is a great little business serving the auto trade. Looking at a very similar BFR-made reel, I have to ask Bulldog if a shim would be the lazy man's remedy. It sounds like the spindle is completely removable by means of the screw, so possibly a shim could be placed between the frame and the spindle end to, in effect, raise the spindle. Shimming the spool bearing looks easy enough as well--a 10-cent mylar shim or one made from thin plastic or brass sheet. Looking at mine, though, I can see that one or two taps would be pretty easy.

Good to see it fixed. I'd keep an eye on those screws in future, if they got loose/backed out once they may again

Nice follow-up report and outcome. The upside of screw-fastened assemblies is easy parts repair and replacement. The downside is gradual loosening of parts, especially where lubricant can penetrate. Vibration alone loosens stuff; it helps lubes creep where they shouldn't be as well. Machined forms don't loosen up, but they don't take a bump well, either, and usually must be replaced as a whole. So I think you did well with a good utility reel. Two more tips, with apologies if you already implemented them along with cleaning and light lubrication: a well stocked hardware store will have Servi-star or similar brand mylar shims in multiple sizes; one or another will likely fit, or just looking at them will give you a good idea how to fabricate one. Mild formula thread lock will take care of the spindle screw, or the slacker's nylock: plastic wrap around the screw threads, or a few scraps of tippet material or shaved plastic in the screw hole. A coin in the reel bag is a good reminder to check-snug the screw now and then, but some form of threadlock will greatly reduce the need.

Thanks for pointing that out to me. I have a few reels where grease would probably do better on the reel.

Yep my son lives in Hellertown. Maybe it's time to take the Grandchildren. Gosh Bam, Now ya got me doing my nails as well!

Whirlpool, I'll be looking soon for those washers and thanks for mentioning it.

Carlz. What type of grease? will any non-lithium do?

Whirlpool, The coin you suggested.........I assume that's to call my wife to come get me when I loose the phone and car keys?