Mordex 'Merlin' replacement centre boss.

[Watermole+]

It would seem that the pressure exerted by the very strong, latch lever spring caused the plastic end cap to fail in this particular case.
For some reason, the centre end-float adjusting screw was a steel one-which is not good for the spindle-also of steel-and had worn a 'pip' onto the end of it.

A replacement end cap made from brass, the spindle end refinished and radius-ed, a new brass grub screw and a lighter latch spring have given this one a new lease of life!
I made a couple of 'spare' end caps "just in case.." from brass, but they could well be made from aluminium alloy instead.
If there is sufficient interest, it might be worthwhile making a small batch...?

The original plastic cap is in front and you can see the edge breaking away.





Regards,

wm+

[Silfield]

That really adds something to the overall appearance of the Merlin.
Lovely

[Kev D]

That is lovely work.
My Merlin also came with a deformed centre boss. A kind friend made me a brass replacement as a favour but l dare not ask him to make me another.
Watermole,if you do make a small batch for sale l would definately like one .

[BarbusFisher]

This is my Merlin reel and I am new to the site. When Watermole+ offered to make the boss for me I had no idea that I was dealing with a Master Craftsman who provided his wonderful skills to not just replace the boss but straighten out the whole reel for me, spokes and everything. I am very pleased with the result and look forward to using the reel for my barbel fishing.

[Wallys-Cast]

A vast improvement to the original.
A lot of the post war Youngs reels would also benefit from similar conversions and I am sure they would be very popular indeed.

Wal.

[Nobby]

Over the years I have been asked about these replacement centre bosses many, many times. I'd definitely make a few whilst the tooling is still in place....you WILL get asked again. Nice job, as always

[Aitch]

if anyone is going to make any more of these, put me down for 3...
I have 3 Merlin's for my Sharpe's carp rods, a couple of the plastic bosses are cracked so a brass or ally replacement would be ideal

[Eddy Pools]

When I contacted Watermole+ to purchase a brass replacement end cap for my Merlin he offered to overhaul the reel and fit it - an offer which I gladly accepted as my reel had had a tough life before I bought it a couple of years ago.

I've received the reel back and the transformation is remarkable.

The replacement cap is first class - the bevelled edge, the brass adjustment screw, and new closure spring are all excellent details. Leszek also straightened out the line drum (which had a lot of deformities), cleaned and resurfaced the centre boss, reset and straightened the locking lever, polished the spindle end, and adjusted the spokes.



The reel now spins freely and smoothly - it is hard to believe that it is the same reel!

Many thanks to Leszek for doing such a perfect job and giving my old reel a new lease of life.

[Kev D]

My Mentor was a bent and seized pig's ear when l got it. Thanks to optimism and ignorance I managed to turn it into a slightly straighter pig's ear that spun a bit . Enter WM with his knowledge ,tools and his magic. It's a Mordex Mentor ,hardly silk purse material, but nevertheless thanks to WM l have a reel that not only works properly but benefits from improvements that should keep it doing so for a long time.

Note that l went for the aluminium centre boss rather than brass.
I really would've liked to thank WM for his work by posting a picture of the reel next to a decent fish that it had helped subdue. With me holding the rod such an event could be long time coming though.
Thank You Watermole!

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[Evert van der Plas]

They look great Watermole , i try to make them my self but was not that easy when i have more time i will do a new attempt for them, i ordered them before in Germany and bough 50 off them and where cnc made unfortunately they don;t make them any more . all have been used on refurbished Mordex Merlin reels.