Milwards Flycraft spool release latch and spring reassembly

[flytie09]

Hello,

I was in the process of cleaning a reel (Milwards Flycraft) I recently aquired and the spool release mechanism wasn't working quite right. So.... I took it apart to see what the problem was. Well, those of you that have done this before know what happened next. I can't get the spring back in there. The spring has to hold tension against the latch and has to sit inside the cap without falling out when you screw it back on. It sprung out 3x on me and I had to tear the garage apart looking for it. I don't want to lose the spring or screws. Are there any tips? The bubblegum I put in there so I could sleep that night isn't a long term fix.

Below is a pic of the reel, but the other pic of the latch mechanism is from the internet... not the reel, but the spring and lever are the same style.

Thanks guys I appreciate any help,

Mike

[bulldog1935]

assemble it inside the cap with a piece of scotch tape (sticky side up)
after you get it together and before you finish tightening the screws, slide the tape out

[flytie09]

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

[Todd Homchick]

You've probably figured it out by now but what I ended up doing with my flycraft was to install everything except the spring. Don't tighten the screws completely then slide the spring in from the top and hold the cover down with your thumb while you tightened the screws. Worked for me.
Todd

[Rockthief]

AND always do this sort of thing with the reel in a rather deep box. THose springs are named that for a good reason.

[bulldog1935]

and use the tape as I described - that way you can install the spring, too.