Mitchell Reel Forum

Hi everyone,

I was given a Mitchell 302 today by a fellow at work. The thing is, it is left handed, but the handle rotates in the opposite direction, coming toward the rear of the reel on the top instead of going forward on top.

I believe a left handed person used this reel and that they swapped the side plates around. Does this make sense.

It is also missing one of the 8 sideplate screws. I wonder if anyone knows what size and thread pitch the screw is so I can find a replacement.

The reel is in good condition, needs to be cleaned and lubricated.

The serial number is difficult to read, I can only see the top half of the digits.

Looks like 8198609.

Best wishes, Plenty fishes

Glen in Nova Scotia.

I am confused????
It turns backwards?
The eight screws really confuse me.
Making WAG it might be 302 drive gear if installed on a 301 would turn back wards. So that would be my WAG (Wild Ass Guess) more Air Force slang.LOL
If you were here I would give you a Good 302..

The Sideplates had been switched around to make it a Leftie, If this was done with 302 gearing, handle etc., then it would turn toward the fisherman at the top to keep the rotor turning in the correct direction.

I have tried to turn it back around, but now it turns exactly one revolution then jams up.

Something wrong.

Glen in Nova Scotia.

Sounds like they made it more trouble than what it was worth.
I am still confused!
Winding backwards would mess me up.
From whar you say, they used a 302 drive gear which would drive back wards.
If you can find a 303 drive gear it might work.
That's one I don't have.

The reel handle turns in the correct direction, now that I have changed the sides back to where they were. The reel doesn't turn without jamming up, so I have not got it together properly.

Glen

Hey Glen,
Is this of any help?
Kind Regards,
Bill

What about drag.
If you changed it back drag would be incorrect.

I think the big difference between this and a 303 is the direction of head rotation and the main gear having a right hand thread for the 303. by switching the plates around, the the reel would still rotate as a 302, but you would be required to turn the handle so the top of it's rotation came toward the operator.

Most Mitchells have only one side plate.

Thanks for the schematic. I need to figure out the Jamming issue.

Best wishes, plenty fishes

Glen

Glen, check the axle guide for smooth gliding. It may be locking up at some point.

Sandman

Hi Sandman,

I have not dismantled the reel to this point. Before I switched the plates back around, the reel turned smoothly, I don’t understand while it no longer does.

Glen