kcdinkerz Posted January 10, 2015 Posted January 10, 2015 I'm stuck on which one to get has anyone used the hedgehog spool bearing pin remover? I was thinking about getting one since I got some new bearings coming in for my reels. Scared I'll bend my spool shaft with the Boca spool pin pliers. Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 I don't care for the hedgehog tool at all. The pliers are far superior, in my opinion. 1 Quote
Super User Jrob78 Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 I have the Boca's and they've worked great. I've had them since they came out and haven't bent any pins or had any trouble with them. I've never used the Hedgehog tool. Quote
Trace Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 I have the boca pliers. They are great and way better then using my other pliers. I did pull the rubber grips off and plasti dipped the handles. I havent seen the other kind Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 I own them both. Personally one doesn't really outshine the other as they both do their intended job. I prefer the Hedgehog tool though. I feel it's less of a hassle. It's easier to make very small adjustments with and it's not very big. The grips on the pliers move around and it's annoying to me. I also usually have to get the pin started pretty good before the pliers will fit. As in hold them closed and use the tip to push the pin in far enough that they'll fit. No need for that with the hedgehog tool. 1 Quote
jbrew73 Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 i bought the hedgehog tool and used it twice. the second time i bent the pusher pin. it was my fault but the pin is very delicate. be sure you have it centered perfectly! 1 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 i bought the hedgehog tool and used it twice. the second time i bent the pusher pin. it was my fault but the pin is very delicate. be sure you have it centered perfectly! Use the other end to get it started and pushed down flush. Then flip it around and use the pin end to finish pushing it out. This is how I've done it since day one. Never an issue and I've used it a bunch. Maybe give that a try. 2 Quote
Super User Jeff H Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 Never used the Hedgehog tool. I have the Boca pliers and have used them a lot, no problems for me so far. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 I have both and both work...but I generally reach for the Hedgehog tool. The only time I use the Boca now is if a pin seems pretty tight and I'll try to move it with the Boca first before putting a lot of torque on the aluminum bodied Hedgehog tool. As was already mentioned, when pushing the spool pin with the Hedgehog, you need to start with the concave end of the Hedgehog "cross wrench" (their terminology). The smaller diameter end of the cross wrench is only used to push the spool pin out of the spool shaft once you have the pin flush with the shaft. Just make sure that you get the spool pin centered in the concave end of the cross wrench before applying any torque. I just got a steel-bodied Hedgehog tool in last month - it was a shop sample/blem/whatever and they had it marked way down so I added it to my order. Haven't used it yet but it should address any concerns about stripping the threads in the aluminum bodied tool. 1 Quote
Super User Angry John Posted January 11, 2015 Super User Posted January 11, 2015 I am a tool and fishing nut. I use and like the hedgehog tool but it is not a shop level tool. For regular writer cleaning on a dozen or so reels it will last years. Quote
masterbass Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 Use the other end to get it started and pushed down flush. Then flip it around and use the pin end to finish pushing it out. This is how I've done it since day one. Never an issue and I've used it a bunch. Maybe give that a try. I learned this the hard way. This way works perfectly every time. Quote
bass1980 Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 Well I first bought the HH and used it the wrong way and bent the pin and scratched my spool. Got another one, worked good but scratched my spool again but this time slightly. Sorry but with all the engineering brains in the world the HH seems to be designed by kids. Why would I want my spool touching the tool? Why would I need to put tape or something to block it? It is not just me, I bought an extra spool for my Steez and it had the very slight mark too. I asked him if he used the HH and he said yes. It didn't effect performance but why would I want a tool that risk it? I have seen at least 2 spools being sold in the classifieds from various forums with the same mark and there is only one tool that can make that mark. The Boca is violent lol, but it works. I don't think you will ever damage your spool shaft or pin, it just sounds like it when you pop it out. Between the two I will never go back to HH. I won't go as far as saying the Boca plier is perfect either. Quote
kcdinkerz Posted January 11, 2015 Author Posted January 11, 2015 A lot of mixed reviews haha but seems both work. Now I just have to wait and see which one goes on sale first haha. After taking a closer look the hedgehog one looks pretty easy to machine. But Dang 40 bucks haha. Quote
Jon G Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 I use the Boca Bearing ones. I was worried at first that it would be complicated to use but once you use them you will realize that they are actually very easy to use Quote
Super User Montanaro Posted January 23, 2015 Super User Posted January 23, 2015 I have boca and it pops out daiwa pins well. However I've bent two lews pins! Not sure why I have trouble with Lews but I'm switching to hedgehog as I've lost confidence in Boca pliers. Quote
Alpha Male Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 A lot of mixed reviews haha but seems both work. Now I just have to wait and see which one goes on sale first haha. After taking a closer look the hedgehog one looks pretty easy to machine. But Dang 40 bucks haha. I like the hedgehog tool but you have to use it right. i can say that I have never and will never scratch my spool shaft using it but you do need to be careful not to bend the pin on the crosswrench. Quote
Tim Kelly Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I have the Boca tool. It works, but it isn't a well engineered solution to removing the pins and it is difficult to be precise with it. Interested to hear what DVT uses. Quote
thehooligan Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 I use the hedgehog tool. Works great on shimano spools, unfortunately with daiwas it can scratch the edge of the spool. Quote
masterbass Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 When using the hedgehog tool, put a piece of tape on the spool under the tool to avoid scratching the spool. Quote
TiNuts Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I'm also a boca tool user. They're very quick and easy to use, but I have bent a pin or two with them. Likely my fault as the pins were stuck in there pretty good, but don't think just because you're using a proper tool that you don't still need to be careful. Quote
Super User South FLA Posted January 24, 2015 Super User Posted January 24, 2015 Hedge Hog is better if used correctly, i have bent two Boca pins, but it was on the older plier version. Quote
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