jhoffman Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Everyone says use the right tool, which I thought I was doing. Well, I broke a boca bearing tool yesterday getting a spool pin out of my lews bb1 pro. In the process it mashed it so flat I couldnt push it out, no matter what I tried. I had to pay the piper this morning at lews to the tune of $60 for an entire new spool assembly. The second piper was paid by replacing the boca tool with the hedgehog bearing tool to the tune of $40 $100 issue in a matter of seconds! This wasnt my first time cleaning reels nor using the tool. I think the design of the boca is an accident like this waiting to happen as theres no way to guarantee the pressure in a plier format is pressing strait down on the spool pin. God I hope to never experience this one again! Good news is that both lews and hedgehog have outstanding customer service. I should have this reel back in under a week. Quote
0119 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Another reason I only use old Ambassadeurs....... I gotta k.i.s.s., I have earned my nickname Charlie Brown! 2 Quote
Kevin22 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I fully agree about the tool being an accident waiting to happen. Stinks that it cost you that much for a split second accident, but that is the price you pay for high quality reels and parts I guess. I know people who are so cheap that instead of buying good reels, they buy cheap reels just because they are too cheap and lazy to maintain them. Instead they sacrifice casting distance, accuracy, and end up tossing reels every year because they wore out from neglect. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 None of the pin removal tools is perfect but I've had good luck with a Boca plier as well as a prototype pair I got from who I suspect sold them the design. Unless you use an actual press I haven't seen anything else push as squarely. The old drilled out flat nose pliers bent more than one of those pins. Another thing I notice is that the tolerance of the fit on the pins varies quite a bit. Some slide right out and other make me wince. My only beef with the hedgehog tool is it seems a little fragile. Time will tell though. What exactly broke on the Boca pliers? Quote
BassNHockey Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Jhoffman I see you fish a bb1 pro. I just got one is it normal for the reel without line to have some chatter? No gears grind just it sounds like the spool has chatter I've tighten the brakes and still hear it. When spooled it casts and fishes fine. My tourny pro is silky smooth with or without line. Normal or not Quote
travis23 Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 I recently broke mine too on a old ProMax. I don't think that pin was meant to come out lol my pliers were free though Quote
jhoffman Posted March 24, 2015 Author Posted March 24, 2015 None of the pin removal tools is perfect but I've had good luck with a Boca plier as well as a prototype pair I got from who I suspect sold them the design. Unless you use an actual press I haven't seen anything else push as squarely. The old drilled out flat nose pliers bent more than one of those pins. Another thing I notice is that the tolerance of the fit on the pins varies quite a bit. Some slide right out and other make me wince. My only beef with the hedgehog tool is it seems a little fragile. Time will tell though. What exactly broke on the Boca pliers? The entire push pin, I know that Lews pin is tapered too, I was even going the proper direction. Quote
jhoffman Posted March 24, 2015 Author Posted March 24, 2015 Jhoffman I see you fish a bb1 pro. I just got one is it normal for the reel without line to have some chatter? No gears grind just it sounds like the spool has chatter I've tighten the brakes and still hear it. When spooled it casts and fishes fine. My tourny pro is silky smooth with or without line. Normal or not Open it up, its completely dry inside. The pro has a carbon drag and Im not sure if they were afraid to get grease on it or what. I have two, I cleaned one a week ago and it was amazing the difference using cals on the surfaces of the gears. To answer your question, yes they were like that when new until cracked open and lubed. Even if you dont have the ability to do that, go through their "lube port" which puts you direct inline with gears and add some grease on the surface, turn it, add a little more, dont cake it in there. That reel other than the bearings is BONE dry stock. Any way youre hearing those brakes fly out too on the dual brake system? Quote
BassNHockey Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 Okay I will do that. Thanks for the help man Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 The entire push pin, I know that Lews pin is tapered too, I was even going the proper direction. it's rare but I've had 1 or 2 that just would not budge. If I were you I'd consider filing the broken pin flat and try pressing the pins flush, then pushing it thru with another tool. It's an extra hoop to jump thru but vs a spool maybe worth a shot. 1 Quote
Alpha Male Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 None of the pin removal tools is perfect but I've had good luck with a Boca plier as well as a prototype pair I got from who I suspect sold them the design. Unless you use an actual press I haven't seen anything else push as squarely. The old drilled out flat nose pliers bent more than one of those pins. Another thing I notice is that the tolerance of the fit on the pins varies quite a bit. Some slide right out and other make me wince. My only beef with the hedgehog tool is it seems a little fragile. Time will tell though. What exactly broke on the Boca pliers? I decided to go with the hedgehog tool and its not all that sturdy but I was not impressed by the pliers either. Quote
jhoffman Posted March 24, 2015 Author Posted March 24, 2015 it's rare but I've had 1 or 2 that just would not budge. If I were you I'd consider filing the broken pin flat and try pressing the pins flush, then pushing it thru with another tool. It's an extra hoop to jump thru but vs a spool maybe worth a shot. What do you recommend if I am able to get it out. Should I then hit the spindle with a dremel and then buff it to try to smooth it back out. Does it even matter since that part rides in the pinion? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 24, 2015 Posted March 24, 2015 When I posted I was thinking going forward instead of just throwing away the pliers. Once the pins are rolled over they're nearly impossible to remove. You have nothing to loose at this point. If you're really careful you might be able to file the pin flat enough to let it be pushed through. I'd be more concerned about the pin hole being damaged and leading to a crooked pin that wears the pinion and/or doesn't engage properly. Just go slow and see what you can do with it. For others following the thread, leaving the spool shaft bearing in place and blasting it out with carb cleaner etc. is a viable option to risking a removal mishap. 1 Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted March 29, 2015 Super User Posted March 29, 2015 When I posted I was thinking going forward instead of just throwing away the pliers. Once the pins are rolled over they're nearly impossible to remove. You have nothing to loose at this point. If you're really careful you might be able to file the pin flat enough to let it be pushed through. I'd be more concerned about the pin hole being damaged and leading to a crooked pin that wears the pinion and/or doesn't engage properly. Just go slow and see what you can do with it. For others following the thread, leaving the spool shaft bearing in place and blasting it out with carb cleaner etc. is a viable option to risking a removal mishap. Would it help to apply some heat to the spool shaft in attempt to expand it enough to get the bent pin out? Quote
Super User MickD Posted March 29, 2015 Super User Posted March 29, 2015 For those of us who have concluded that the modern reel is just too complex and expensive to take a chance with on our own, and with the passing of David Green, does anyone have a reel mechanic who compares with David to recommend? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 29, 2015 Posted March 29, 2015 David and I had a mutual respect and I've had customers referred to me since his passing. I'll be glad to help with whatever you need. Be sure to include your BassResource.com screen name when you send reels and I'll apply a 10% discount off the labor. 1 Quote
bass1980 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 I've had both hedgehog and Boca tools. As much of a fan as I am of JDM products and all their genius ideas and concepts I think the hedgehog tool is a bad design. When using the tool on certain spools, I believe it'll be for most spools, the toil touches the side of the spool. You're supposed to put painters tape between the tool and the spool but I'm asking myself why? They could have design it differently. Even being careful I make a very small scratch on one of my spool. It didn't effect performance as it was more of a blemish and not a deny but still. I've seen at least 2 spools being sold in classifieds that has the same mark. One guy I Pm'd him and he confirmed it was from the HH tool. The other one I didn't PM him but I'm 100% sure it was the HH tool making that mark as it looks identical. The Boca while violent, doesn't touch the spool at all. I like the Boca better, but it needs much improvement as well. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted March 30, 2015 Super User Posted March 30, 2015 I have the one you're talking about that touches the spool. I always put tape around the spool to keep the line from coming off so I already have tape in my hand so it's only an extra few seconds. They have a version 2 available now. http://spinningist.com.ua/goods_Hedgehog_Studio_Tool_Spool_Bearing_Remover_Ver.2.htm Quote
bass1980 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 I had the version 2. The new one touches the spool more than the original I believe. Quote
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