I couldn't believe my luck when the reel started turning as it should. Initially it was like trying crank start an old car. A lot of reluctance and then; whooosh! Then it got easier and easier. I remembered one of your posts saying that you thought that you had cracked it and then when taking the reel off the shelf some months later it had gone stiff again. So I have been turning the reel at every opportunity. I kept making excuses to go down into the basement last night and give it a twirl. Then today I have been working in the loft and had to exit through the basement to get to the bathroom where the other end of the work was, and in passing I gave it a turn or two every time. I am still expecting it to return to 'Ambidex default stiff' at any time, but at least I now know how to release it.
I checked it ten minutes ago and it is still loose and smooth and now doesn't jam in reverse.
As I said; I am very far from being technically competent but for me it is the Tufnol (I spelt it right this time) that is the key to all this. I don't suppose that Watermole + could be persuaded to manufacture some replacement bronze gears for all us frustrated Ambidex fans?
