THE CASTING REEL 79 



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removed. If cap does not come off easily, tap gently 

 with handle of screw-driver, if of wood, and thus 

 loosen. The next step is to remove the front plate, 

 which is exposed by removal of cap. You have now 

 but to remove the spool and your reel lies before you 

 ready for cleaning. If you have worked carefully 

 you have in nowise marred your winch. 



Get a brush with some fine bristles, a tooth brush 

 will do, to clean gears. Clean every part of the reel 

 with benzine or alcohol; I prefer the former as it 

 "cuts" the dirt better. With a bit of soft cotton 

 cloth or chamois skin, remove all oil, dirt and grit 

 from the plates, cap, wheel, spool and stud. 

 Sharpen a lead pencil, or bit of hard wood, and wrap 

 with cotton cloth and insert in pivot-holes and holes 

 in gears. Wipe until there is no sign of dirt on the 

 cleaner. Perhaps it will seem to the reader that I 

 am unnecessarily particular, but it is just this minute 

 care that causes a reel to last indefinitely. The 

 cleaning finished, put a small drop of oil in each 

 pivot-hole, a drop on the stud the post upon which 

 the gear fits two drops of oil or a little vaseline in 

 the gear-teeth. Do not over-lubricate. You must 

 exercise considerable care with the vaseline especially 

 or you_will apply too much and .your reel will run 

 sluggishly. Use only the best oil. Some reel 

 makers supply an oil compounded especially for 

 reels. I have found the so-called "One Drop" oiler 

 very convenient, as with it the single drop can be 



