Hi, all. I'm a newbie and I thought I'd present this project to the phorum. I have one of those old Garcia Mitchell combos with the odd "split seat" reel setup. Instead of the regular spinning reel post like you hold between your fingers, this had a post that goes back behind your hand, screwing into a special reel seat. It's a Mitchell 510 reel, for those of you that might want to look it up.

Anyway, the blank is broken, but the reel is fine, and I want to fix the combo up. My questions are:

1. I'm going to try to remove the handle/reel seat with hot water--unless someone has a better idea. I want to save the handle assembly, since it's in good shape. If I screw it up, though, does anyone know if these things can be bought?

2. Any suggestions on blanks & guides? Since the reel is so distinctive, I'd really like to do something cool--maybe a little retro-looking.

thanks!

Joe

I don't think you could buy such a seat. If the blank is shot, then if the hot water won't do the trick, you could possibly drill, file, ream-out the blank from the handle so you could re-use it.

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Have just rebuilt one for a customer. the old blank was cut off . reamed out the handle . replaced the cork forward of the reel seat. new blank was a st. croix fit perfect. on that handle there is a metal shaft that is connected to the reelseat that runs forward with a plastic inseart for the blank . if yours has a cork grip i would just cut and ream as tom has said.

Thanks, gents. I particularly appreciate the description of the innards from a guy who has had one apart. Michael, do you happen to have the blank # of that St. Croix that fit perfect? A perfect fit off the shelf is always nice!