Mitchell Reel Forum

Do you only ever change the pinon and main on reels? For instance on the 300, are the bevel gears ever replaced? That is where I think minor vibration develops some times. If I see that someone claims to have replaced the gears on a 300 does it alway pertain to the pinion and main?

My thought is, gear wear together. Unless there is a deposit in between the teeth (maybe hardened grease) which may effect the gear over time. I have had gears that seemed to be grinding, and saw the main had some wear. And replaced it, conclusion was it was better. I don't think you ever it perfect unless gears were married to each other, or both new. I'm not a 300 guy, but from other post seems like shims have a big effect on 300's.

Hi everyone,

I want to add a point about Gear Ratios.

I looked up a Mitchell 300 ratio on the web and came up with exactly 4.229 to 1. I don't know exactly what is advertised, but gears often to not have a simple ratio as in this case 4 to 1. If they did, then the same gears would mesh with each other every 4 revolutions. By putting them into an odd ratio like this, the gear teeth do not meet each other again for many revolutions and all the teeth in one gear get to mesh with all the teeth in the other. This results in even wear between them.

Hope this is of interest.

Glen

It's scary. The more I'm on this site the more I learn.

I have replaced more transfer gears than any other.
Once replaced have not had any strange vibrations.
As I stated in another post the channel that the shaft rides is one of the biggest problems.
If you smooth it out the binding goes away.
Been using a dremel and wire brush, the a very light Emory cloth.

Which are the transfer gears?

I don't remember seeing transfer gears anywhere. So my guess is main and pinion gears. If this is the case, you can get vibration, if you only replace one gear.

linewinder wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:26 pm Which are the transfer gears?

Regarding @Schrack comment. Ty.

It is the middle sized one on the Mitchell, One year Mitchell made these out of Plastic and they did not hold up, the normal wear is teeth fracture and will bind the reel up or you could have a skip in winding in.
I have found sometimes it is just a matter of cleaning out the hole on the gear.
Some times it takes removing the crud from the shafts the gears ride on, fine steel wool or light Emory cloth does the trick.
hey it only takes a little bit of crud to make things not run right.
Guess I have worked on too many Aircraft, I believe in tolerance's.
Another thing people tend to over tighten screws, GOLDEN RULE FOR SCREWING, SNUG AND A 1/4 TURN.
Works every time and you do not strip out when removing.
Some of these Reels you need a jack hammer to remove screws.
Sorry for the rant!!!!!!!!!

Schrack,
You say the middle sized gear, what model reel are you talking about? Not all reels have a middle gear. I thought the thread was asking about the main gear & pinion gears.

The 300, as you look at base on left side, you have drive, pinion and transfer gears, the transfer gear is the middle sized gear, has a smaller gear mounted on top 81032.
Sorry for not specifying.
Wish I could take photos.
yes it was about two other gears but, the transfer gear causes some problems and seems to wear out more.
I have yet to change the two mentioned.

Mates,
Here's a pic of a 300 transfer gear.


Ted Lanham

Mates,
Here is an illustration I posted a while ago that shows the various parts of a Mitchell 300 and gives the names of each part. (Scroll down to bottom illustration for gears)

https://mitchellreelmuseum.com/forum/vi ... ddc47#p592

Kind Regards,
Bill

I do remember that now. I don't get into 300's much.

He per that's the one, drives ovulating gear, and pinion drives rotating head.
As Stated , I have replaced more of these than others.
If vibe are too bad replace all gears, normally a matched set.
Old maintance practise don't fix it if its not broke.