Screwdrivers for reel maintenance 2024

MassYak85 reply :

What do you guys prefer for screwdrivers for reel maintenance. Especially with Daiwa, I seem to always have a few screws that they really torqued on at the factory (and add blue loctite on top of that) and on more than one occasion I have stripped them out. I am sure part of the issue is not having the exact size of screwdriver (although the ones I am using seem to fit pretty well). Any recommendations? I've heard good things about Wiha but they certainly are't cheap.

MN Fisher reply :

I have a full set of precision drivers - slotted, phillips and nut.

If you want a cheap set that'll work

https://www.harborfreight.com/16-piece-precision-screwdriver-set-4143.html

iabass8 reply :

I use a mixture of Wiha and Wera. Both have precision sets that have a size that will pull out that Daiwa Death. The set's are around 25$ and worth every penny.

kschultz76 reply :

+1 for Wera I got a 7 piece set on Amazon. There’s a specialty SLP driver for those Daiwa screws but out of stock in Japan Tackle forever.

Ive also learned for some of those hard stuck Daiwa screws, especially handle knob screws, getting your precision driver setup in place on the screw then giving it a couple sharp whacks on the back with a regular screwdriver handle helps.

GReb reply :

Don’t buy cheap. I bought a set of 9 husky precision drivers and they are garbage

MassYak85 reply :

On 12/29/2018 at 8:54 AM, MN Fisher said:

I have a full set of precision drivers - slotted, phillips and nut.

If you want a cheap set that'll work

https://www.harborfreight.com/16-piece-precision-screwdriver-set-4143.html

I think I was actually using an older version of that same set, the screw was a Philips and seemed to be the right size but I stripped it still.

On 12/29/2018 at 9:12 AM, kschultz76 said:

+1 for Wera I got a 7 piece set on Amazon. There’s a specialty SLP driver for those Daiwa screws but out of stock in Japan Tackle forever.

Ive also learned for some of those hard stuck Daiwa screws, especially handle knob screws, getting your precision driver setup in place on the screw then giving it a couple sharp whacks on the back with a regular screwdriver handle helps.

Thank I'll check them out.

MN Fisher reply :

On 12/29/2018 at 12:36 PM, MassYak85 said:

I think I was actually using an older version of that same set, the screw was a Philips and seemed to be the right size but I stripped it still.

Thank I'll check them out.

If you're willing to spend the money, go for it.

I worked in a machine shop where we had to supply our own tools, and as a low-level person I couldn't afford the high-buck items. I purchased and used HF tools and never had an issue with the manual ones...the electrical tools I did spend more - Ryobi.

Smelter96 reply :

I use a set of Wiha drivers. Bought a 7 piece set off Ebay for $20. Well worth the price. I've been down the cheap road and it resulted in a few to many damaged screws. A Wiha PH1x60 Phillip's is the driver for those loctite screws at the base of the drive shaft on Daiwas. Takes em out nice and easy.

MassYak85 reply :

On 12/29/2018 at 1:02 PM, Smelter96 said:

I use a set of Wiha drivers. Bought a 7 piece set off Ebay for $20. Well worth the price. I've been down the cheap road and it resulted in a few to many damaged screws. A Wiha PH1x60 Phillip's is the driver for those loctite screws at the base of the drive shaft on Daiwas. Takes em out nice and easy.

What sizes have you found necessary other than the PH1?

Mobasser reply :

Ph1, Ph2, slot1 and 2 should cover most reels.

Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :

I also use precision/glasses screwdrivers like the one from HF link, but not sure what brand for all my reels. The tip is to use electrical plier to help unscrew those factory torqued first.

MN Fisher reply :

On 12/29/2018 at 1:50 PM, JustJames said:

I also use precision screw but not sure what brand for all my reels. The tip is to use electrical plier to help unscrew those factory torqued first.

The set I have (Not HF...a set my dad gave me) has a bar that slips into holes in the handles for additional torque.

Smelter96 reply :

On 12/29/2018 at 1:32 PM, MassYak85 said:

What sizes have you found necessary other than the PH1?

Honestly you could get by with that Phillip's and a flathead, but I use the set for other things as well. At least for my reels. And a 10mm socket for handle nuts. There's a few small screws on certain reels that a PH0X50 works on, too.

ChrisD46 reply :

*Good information - slowly converting my reels to Daiwa ... Now need to find some top rated "how to reel" maintenance you tube videos for basic clean & lube .

diehardbassfishing reply :

"Thee" tool - the factory Daiwa driver for side plate screws is "SLPW SPECIAL DRIVER 4.0".

I ordered mine through one of the Japanese JDM stores. Hmmm, wonder if The Tackle Trap carries them. They are silly expensive. But the tool fits the screw head exactly - center pin on the blade of the driver keeps the tool from slipping off the screw head. Don't have to be afraid of applying torque when you need to get a stubborn one out.

Karl

OnthePotomac reply :

WEHA for me also. If you own a Chronarch MGL get a WEHA 00 Philips to remove the itty bitty screw holding the cover on. Man is it tiny.

Dirtyeggroll reply :

Not to hijack the thread too much, but does anyone know where to get a spool bearing removal tool? Is there something available other than the one sold by Boca bearings that is ~$40?

MassYak85 reply :

On 12/29/2018 at 11:45 PM, Dirtyeggroll said:

Not to hijack the thread too much, but does anyone know where to get a spool bearing removal tool? Is there something available other than the one sold by Boca bearings that is ~$40?

I use the Hedghog studios one:

https://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/2

It's cheaper than most of the spool pin pliers out there and you don't risk slipping off the pin and marring the spool shaft.

Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :

Or basszone around 16 bucks. I got mine when visited Thailand earlier this year.

DogBone_384 reply :

Snap-On & Wiha for me...

kschultz76 reply :

On 12/30/2018 at 2:28 AM, MassYak85 said:

I use the Hedghog studios one:

https://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/2

It's cheaper than most of the spool pin pliers out there and you don't risk slipping off the pin and marring the spool shaft.

^ This 100%! You can get it online from The Tackle Trap too. I also have the Hedgehog trust wrench for handle nuts and their bearing check tool, and their knob cap tool. Also handy to have is a cheap set of dental picks from Amazon.

MassYak85 reply :

On 12/30/2018 at 3:27 AM, kschultz76 said:

^ This 100%! You can get it online from The Tackle Trap too. I also have the Hedgehog trust wrench for handle nuts and their bearing check tool, and their knob cap tool. Also handle to have is a cheap set of dental picks from Amazon.

The bearing check tool is nice. I got a cheap one made for RC stuff off of Ebay for like 5 bucks. Works for most stuff but it's missing one size that I've encountered on my spinning reel (I think it's 7mm or something). The hedgehog one has that size I believe.

rippin-lips reply :

The Wera Kraftform 7pc set (345271) was a great investment. It comes with all the right sizes and I bought 2 separate matching Wera hex drivers for Hedgehog parts like frame screws, ect. I think I have $40 in all of them. Use the 10-15% ebay coupons.

Mobasser reply :

Klein makes good screwdrivers, as do Snap On and SK. Regardless of brand the main thing is to know that even on higher end reels, some softer metal screws are used. The wrong size driver or a deformed Phillips tip, will strip them out. Test the size for a snug fit before backing out the screws.

kschultz76 reply :

On 12/29/2018 at 11:45 PM, Dirtyeggroll said:

Not to hijack the thread too much, but does anyone know where to get a spool bearing removal tool? Is there something available other than the one sold by Boca bearings that is ~$40?

One important tip if you get the Hedgehog spool pin tool, put some electrical tape on the edge of the spool before positioning the tool and tightening the cross wrench, on some spools the shaft of the wrench can mar the edge of the spool.

Jrob78 reply :

Another vote for Wiha, just get the set.

cadman reply :

Wiha tools for me as well. All of their screwdrivers are very well made and fit most any screw you will encounter on a fishing reel.

J Francho reply :

Wiha are the best, hands down. You can get away with a precision set from Lowe's or Home Depot. You want a 1/8" slot, a #0 and #1 Phillips. For that Daiwa screw that holds the main drive to the frame, apply some heat from a soldering iron to the head to break the thread locker. 10 seconds is plenty.

Johnbt reply :

" Wiha, just get the set."

Okay, I love buying tools.

Meanwhile, I've been using a Brownells Magna-Tip Super Set for 20-some years. They replace broken tips. And they can be ground to fit.

https://shop.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/screwdrivers-sets/magna-tip-sets/58-bit-master-set-plus-w-81-handle-sku080112081-417-1909.aspx?cm_mmc=PPC-_-Itwine-_-Google-_-080-112-081&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6_7zlMLR3wIVBB6GCh2RIwzlEAQYASABEgIJz_D_BwE

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Screwdrivers for reel maintenance 2024

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