Tightening Handle Nuts

[tkunk]

How much are you supposed to tighten handle nuts? Do you hand tighten them? Should you use a wrench? Is it OK to use loctite blue?

 

I've found that when I get a new reel or receive one from a manufacturer after servicing, the handle nut tends to become loose, and there's side-to-side play in the handle itself. I figured there's a reason why manufacturers don't tighten them up.

 

Thanks.

[rippin-lips]

Hand tight then like another 1/4 turn to align to screw hole in the cap/retainer. I use the hedgehog studio wrench but any will work. 

[TOXIC]

Hand tight only.  What gets me are the dang nuts or flat screws in the reel handles.  always falling out.  

[OnthePotomac]

I tighten mine just enough that I can get the nut cap on and its screw lined up with the hole and still have a snug handle.

[Deleted account]

2 Newton Meters. I like aligning the cap screw hole better than Candy Crush...

[JustJames]

3 hours ago, OnthePotomac said:

I tighten mine just enough that I can get the nut cap on and its screw lined up with the hole and still have a snug handle.

This ^^^^^ and never use any loctite. If you or they install the handle correctly, there shouldn't be any play in handle. You can also try by spin drag star all the way or halfway in before you install handle. Make sure after everything is done you have enough room to back the drag star until no drag to spool.

[Ratherbfishing]

I am not familiar with all brands of baitcasting reels however many/most reels have a "handle nut cap" that surrounds the nut and prevents the nut from working its way loose.  Having said that, I tighten the nut snugly enough so that the aforementioned cap fits over it and can, itself, be secured on the handle (usually with a single screw).

 

For other reels, as the expression goes:  "Good'n tight" (but don't bear down on it).

[desmobob]

6 hours ago, portiabrat said:

How much are you supposed to tighten handle nuts? Do you hand tighten them? Should you use a wrench? Is it OK to use loctite blue?

 

I've found that when I get a new reel or receive one from a manufacturer after servicing, the handle nut tends to become loose, and there's side-to-side play in the handle itself. I figured there's a reason why manufacturers don't tighten them up.

 

Thanks.

I've heard other folks say they've had problems with handle nuts loosening up, too.  I have never had it happen and I can't imagine why or how it would.  I wonder if the mechanics of some people's reeling motions has something to do with it?  Also, every reel I own has a locking piece that screws down around/over the handle nut to prevent it from coming loose.  How can the nut loosen?

 

I put mine on hand tight, then snug them a bit more with a tiny adjustable wrench.  If the lock piece doesn't line up correctly, I snug the handle nut up that extra 1/8 turn or so.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

 

[The Bassman]

What @JustJamessaid about the drag star is really important.  If you tighten the handle over a loose drag it will go loose as soon as you tighten the drag. I hand tighten the star nut then line the star up and tighten all the way.  Install handle then loosen drag.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The only way a handle can loosen is a missing retainer or mis assembly when installing the handle (drag too loose etc). A quarter turn to snug the nut is plenty. Be sure not to cross thread the nut in the very beginning. 

[FishDewd]

I've only had that issue on open face spinning reel, can you elaborate a bit more? What kind of reel, brand and model? Every so often I find my open spinners getting a tad loose, nothing dramatic, but I assume it's due to generally wear/tear when using them for various fishing abuses. Knocking them around in vehicles/boats, jiggling them while reeling, etc. I just check mine after each outing and give it a good King Kong hand cinch down if needed.

[tkunk]

Thanks, guys. Super helpful. I usually keep my drag very tight on casting reels, so not tightening the drag star before attaching the handle must've been the issue.

[J Francho]

If you over tighten them, and the main drive is brass, you run the risk of putting a flange at the base of the keyed portion of the drive shaft, where the handle snugs up against.  Do that, and you'll find it near impossible to remove the drag washers and main gear assembly.  The fix is gently file those flanges on the driveshaft.  I've had many reels come across my bench with this issue.  Guys think they're helping by making them Hercules tight.  Totally unnecessary.  Finger tight, then 1/6 turn and whatever it takes to get the nut in proper alignment for the retainer cap.