Best Spool Pin Remover Tool?

[KeepinItBassy]

For all those who swapped out their bearings or just wanted to clean the up and re-install them, what is the best "bearing removal tool" money can buy? There are several in the market but wanted to know your thoughts. I have a lot of reels and I damaged a spool and the pin just by using channel locks today. Never again use channel locks😤

[bulldog1935]

There are two different designs, and you need both to cover the range of possible spools.  

 

The answer is not One Best tool.  Anyone who says there is a Best tool only has One style of reel.  

 

The best buy on both styles is Rorolure.com 

 

You need the Hedgehog style pin tool for wide-spindle, deep spools with full flanges and the spool bearing located outside of the spool flange.  

  

 

You need the Daiwa SLP Works style tool for shallower spools with the spool bearing recessed into the hollow of the spool inside the spool end flange.  

The tool above cannot reach this pin.  

 

 

[iabass8]

I use the boca spool pin pliers for the majority of reels. It's ideal , or functional, for 90% of the reels out there. Require some touch sometimes to align a pin but it really works well removing pins. Just gotta make sure you watch for a tapered spool pin. For everything else, and it also works for most reels as well, the hedgehog spool pin(same as the above roro that bulldog mentioned-just an older version-) is best for spools /w tapered pins and aligning spool pins evenly. You can get buy with either one but it's best to have both. I haven't used the roro pin removed but just looking at it, I would probably opt for that over the hedgehog if I had to choose. 

[JediAmoeba]

The best one is the one made by boca bearing imo. I have 4 different tools and this is by far my favorite. It was pricey though. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I use the Boca pliers and a hedgehog version of the press 

[KeepinItBassy]

16 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

There are two different designs, and you need both to cover the range of possible spools.  

 

The answer is not One Best tool.  Anyone who says there is a Best tool only has One style of reel.  

 

The best buy on both styles is Rorolure.com 

 

You need the Hedgehog style pin tool for wide-spindle, deep spools with full flanges and the spool bearing located outside of the spool flange.  

  

 

You need the Daiwa SLP Works style tool for shallower spools with the spool bearing recessed into the hollow of the spool inside the spool end flange.  

The tool above cannot reach this pin.  

 

 

Any experience with this style of pin remover? I've seen this on the site and I've noticed that it's round as the SLP version but has different adapters.

[bulldog1935]

Right now, Roro shows that great design is OOS.  

I've sent a lot of people to the Roro TX6 tool, and it works well for them.  The anvil design is different from SLPW, but works on the same principle and elevation drop.  

I have not used that one specifically, because I already had the SLP Works tool, used first on Lew's Team Pro SP (and then on all my later Daiwa, Steez, Zillion and Silver Wolf)

 

[ike8120]

4 hours ago, KeepinItBassy said:

Any experience with this style of pin remover? I've seen this on the site and I've noticed that it's round as the SLP version but has different adapters.

I have it and it is ok, I like the TX8 by Roro. If you buy the TX6 make sure you buy some extra pins. Both are in stock at Baitfineeseempire.

[bulldog1935]

I'll try this again.  

The SLP Works tool is no fun to use, either, but that and Roro TX6 are the design and function required for hollow-flange, recessed spool bearing.  

The Hedgehog Studio design, copied in Roro TX8, is limited to full-flange deep spools.  

[FrnkNsteen]

I haven't been able to find anyone in the U.S. that carries them. Are there any, or all suppliers of that model outside US?

[KeepinItBassy]

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I'll try this again.  

The SLP Works tool is no fun to use, either, but that and Roro TX6 are the design and function required for hollow-flange, recessed spool bearing.  

The Hedgehog Studio design, copied in Roro TX8, is limited to full-flange deep spools.  

Before your response, I’ve ordered the TX6. If it covers both, exposed and recessed spools, then I should be good. I’ll order the newer model and see how that compares. Maybe try out the aluminum knock-off one’s from Alieexpress. Think it’s like around $5.
 

I have a lot of Daiwa’s but have some BassPro stuff which really is a Lew’s platform. 
 

Next would be the bearings. Thinking I’d replace couple of the Daiwa’s only and see how it runs. Hope it doesn’t sound like a Curado DC.

[KeepinItBassy]

3 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I haven't been able to find anyone in the U.S. that carries them. Are there any, or all suppliers of that model outside US?

As of now, seems that Hedgehog in Japan are the only ones that has this SLPW Spool Remover

[FishTank]

On 2/26/2024 at 10:20 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I use the Boca pliers and a hedgehog version of the press 

So what is the benefit of upgrading this bearing?  I swapped one that had a bushing years ago and didn't feel much of anything in an improvement.  

[JediAmoeba]

6 minutes ago, FishTank said:

So what is the benefit of upgrading this bearing?  I swapped one that had a bushing years ago and didn't feel much of anything in an improvement.  

Upgrading which bearing? The spool bearings? I haven't seen a bushing on a spool outside of 13 fishing in quite a while 

[FishTank]

21 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

Upgrading which bearing? The spool bearings? I haven't seen a bushing on a spool outside of 13 fishing in quite a while 

Stealing the pic from above.

 

This one. 

 

 

I have two Calcutta 251s that had the bushing on the spool. I also replaced them on few reels over the years for people but didn't use the tool. I used pliers instead, which I know is a bad idea. 

 

I don't have the pin removal tool but never had this bearing go bad on any of my reels. I was curious if it was worth undertaking and replacing/upgrading this bearing.  I wanted to know what the benefit might be.

[JediAmoeba]

35 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Stealing the pic from above.

 

This one. 

 

 

I have two Calcutta 251s that had the bushing on the spool. I also replaced them on few reels over the years for people but didn't use the tool. I used pliers instead, which I know is a bad idea. 

 

I don't have the pin removal tool but never had this bearing go bad on any of my reels. I was curious if it was worth undertaking and replacing/upgrading this bearing.  I wanted to know what the benefit might be.

It's been a few years since I had a calcutta apart but I remember a bushing in the reel housing but I remember 3 bearings on the spool shaft - 1 on each side of the spool and 1 by the spool tension. Maybe I am off, idk.

But,  removing those bearings, flushing them properly and lubricating them is always a good idea. Over time lubricants pick up debris and it lessens their ability to work well. 

[KeepinItBassy]

6 hours ago, FishTank said:

Stealing the pic from above.

 

This one. 

 

 

I have two Calcutta 251s that had the bushing on the spool. I also replaced them on few reels over the years for people but didn't use the tool. I used pliers instead, which I know is a bad idea. 

 

I don't have the pin removal tool but never had this bearing go bad on any of my reels. I was curious if it was worth undertaking and replacing/upgrading this bearing.  I wanted to know what the benefit might be.

That red you circled is the casing, the outer race of the bearing. Metal.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

9 hours ago, FishTank said:

So what is the benefit of upgrading this bearing?  I swapped one that had a bushing years ago and didn't feel much of anything in an improvement.  

It depends on the specific reel, what bearing you chose (ABEC rating, material) and how that bearing was lubricated. Some bearings come lubed with heavy oil. You want an ABEC3 minimum, ideally 5, or all out with ABEC7. Look for lube dry designation. Spin test new bearings prior to installation. Flush as needed. My guess is that the bearing you installed was sluggish with heavy lube. 

[bulldog1935]

On 2/28/2024 at 10:52 AM, FishTank said:

Stealing the pic from above.

 

This one. 

 

 

I have two Calcutta 251s that had the bushing on the spool. I also replaced them on few reels over the years for people but didn't use the tool. I used pliers instead, which I know is a bad idea. 

 

I don't have the pin removal tool but never had this bearing go bad on any of my reels. I was curious if it was worth undertaking and replacing/upgrading this bearing.  I wanted to know what the benefit might be.

showing up late - that's a Hedgehog Air bearing, which compares to Roro-X, aiming at 1/8-oz ML niche.  

Comparing micro-ball to full-size hybrid ceramic and especially shielded bearings, it's the last 10% of your cast distance.  

I'm currently running the KTF/IXA doubles on all except 2 reels in <3-g finesse niches.  

Casting light weights, only the inner race and micro balls spin.  Casting big weights, or with big drive loads, the middle race and outer balls spin.  

I'm trying full-silicon-nitride ceramic on 2 salt reels, and they're really promising for extreme casting (and cranking) range.  

[KeepinItBassy]

9 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

showing up late - that's a Hedgehog Air bearing, which compares to Roro-X, aiming at 1/8-oz ML niche.  

Comparing micro-ball to full-size hybrid ceramic and especially shielded bearings, it's the last 10% of your cast distance.  

I'm currently running the KTF/IXA doubles on all except 2 reels in <3-g finesse niches.  

Casting light weights, only the inner race and micro balls spin.  Casting big weights, or with big drive loads, the middle race and outer balls spin.  

I'm trying full-silicon-nitride ceramic on 2 salt reels, and they're really promising for extreme casting (and cranking) range.  

So, the micro bearing setup makes much more sense. I suppose it has better tolerances. Is this the latest in the world of reel bearings? I’d want to try them on my Elites P/F and Zillion for crank bait. How can I obtain them?

[bulldog1935]

The difference with micro-balls is in the mass (inertia) that you're starting up and 

applying brakes to - more cast energy goes into distance, especially at the light end.  

Hedgehog Studio has a really good chart rating bearing style over casting weight range.  

Their ZR-bearing is full-size hybrid ceramic.  You can see, they have 3 different ranges of Air bearings, Air BFS, Air Ceramic, and Air HD.  

Air BFS are optimum casting 1/4 oz or less, and maxed-out at 3/8 oz.  

 

I noticed immediate improvement (lighter lures farther) on deep spool Lew's Super Duty with a swap to Air HD, and the equivalent IXA MBS bearings from KTF.  

You have to add a drop of oil to unshielded bearings about every month, but where I fish in salt, they're an advantage that they're being continuously flushed.  

Hedgehog Studio is also an easy place to shop.  

 

I've been using a broker to shop in Japan for 18 years, which makes it easy for me to buy from Japan vendors who don't market direct to US, like KTF.  (this is building up a cache of small orders from different shops, held in storage, and shipped together at once).  On big items, broker fee is 5%, and a little higher on small items.  He earns his keep, finding stock, getting questions answered we never could from this side of the big pond.  

[KeepinItBassy]

On 3/1/2024 at 7:04 AM, bulldog1935 said:

The difference with micro-balls is in the mass (inertia) that you're starting up and 

applying brakes to - more cast energy goes into distance, especially at the light end.  

Hedgehog Studio has a really good chart rating bearing style over casting weight range.  

Their ZR-bearing is full-size hybrid ceramic.  You can see, they have 3 different ranges of Air bearings, Air BFS, Air Ceramic, and Air HD.  

Air BFS are optimum casting 1/4 oz or less, and maxed-out at 3/8 oz.  

 

I noticed immediate improvement (lighter lures farther) on deep spool Lew's Super Duty with a swap to Air HD, and the equivalent IXA MBS bearings from KTF.  

You have to add a drop of oil to unshielded bearings about every month, but where I fish in salt, they're an advantage that they're being continuously flushed.  

Hedgehog Studio is also an easy place to shop.  

 

I've been using a broker to shop in Japan for 18 years, which makes it easy for me to buy from Japan vendors who don't market direct to US, like KTF.  (this is building up a cache of small orders from different shops, held in storage, and shipped together at once).  On big items, broker fee is 5%, and a little higher on small items.  He earns his keep, finding stock, getting questions answered we never could from this side of the big pond.  

Ok. When you’re ordering from any of them, what’s the transit time like? 

[bulldog1935]

@KeepinItBassy Rorolure.com is slow-boat post, inexpensive and about 3 weeks.  

Hedgehog Studio is the fastest out the door, and I've had delivery in 40 hours.  

If they have to recover stock, e.g., Avail, it takes an extra day.  

KTF requires using a Japan broker, e.g., noppin.com. 

But if you take the broker route, you can add a couple of handmade wood plugs.  

Normally, e.g., when I'm in a reel project, I'll have a noppin cache building that may include Hedgehog parts ordered through the broker - Haneda Craft, various lure shops, Yahoo, Tailwalk reel cover from Rakuten - to take advantage of piling small orders together for a single courier charge.  

Another vendor that's good about doing this is Plat.jp - they will order anything from Japan to add to your order with them.  

[KeepinItBassy]

18 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@KeepinItBassy Rorolure.com is slow-boat post, inexpensive and about 3 weeks.  

Hedgehog Studio is the fastest out the door, and I've had delivery in 40 hours.  

If they have to recover stock, e.g., Avail, it takes an extra day.  

KTF requires using a Japan broker, e.g., noppin.com. 

But if you take the broker route, you can add a couple of handmade wood plugs.  

Good to know. Can’t stand the month wait like AliExpress. Seems it gets stuck in California, then a 3 weeks later it gets here to Houston🤦‍♂️