tools for reel maintenance 2025
Chris at Tech reply :
For those of you guys who do your own reel maintenance or parts installation, what tools do you use and where do you get them? Any secrets for disassembly/reassembly while minimizing scratching?
Don't worry, @Delaware Valley Tackle -- I'm not looking to cut into your business 
junyer357 reply :
I keep it simple. A small 6"×12" tray, small phillips/flathead reversable screwdiver, small crescent wrench, a small cheap paintbrush, and an old toothbrush.
Tray is to hold parts in order of dissasemly without having to worry about springs and screws rolling around or getting lost.
Screwdiver and wrench are for obvious reasons on takedown/assembly.
The paintbrush is for applying fresh grease, i use shimano drag grease.
Toothbrush is for scrubbing and cleaning grease and grime off.
hunterPRO1 reply :
best tip i can give you is lay it down in the order you took it off. and memorize which screw goes where, (if one is shorter/longer)
rippin-lips reply :
Wera and Wiha make the best tools you can get for reel maintenance imo. I use the wera screwdriver set and the hex driver set. Hedgehog trust wrench is great for handle nuts. Their spool pin tool is also the best design I've used.
iabass8 reply :
On 3/4/2017 at 10:57 AM, rippin-lips said:Wera and Wiha make the best tools you can get for reel maintenance imo. I use the wera screwdriver set and the hex driver set. Hedgehog trust wrench is great for handle nuts. Their spool pin tool is also the best design I've used.
ditto.
Investing in a set of quality precision screwdrivers is something I wish I did years ago. I have the wera screwdrivers and wiha hex sets. Both are worth it. Prefer the wera grip though.
OnthePotomac reply :
Four WEHA screw drivers, two flat and two Phillips, 10mm socket on screw driver handle to remove handle nuts, two dental picks (one large and one small) with 45 degree ends to remove bearing retainer springs and a bobby pin with the end bent on 90 degree angle to pull bearings.
FrankN209 reply :
Hudy makes great tools. I use them for my RC cars. Works well for reels also.
Bruce424 reply :
Smaller phillups/flathead screwdriver
10 mm nut driver
Swabs
MassYak85 reply :
On 3/25/2017 at 9:27 AM, Bruce424 said:Smaller phillups/flathead screwdriver
10 mm nut driver
Swabs
This is basically all I use.
For those of you that take off the spool pin, what tool do you use? I know @rippin-lips mentioned the hedgehog studios tool, and I will admit from what I have seen online the design seems like the best out there, but I've also heard of many guys having them break on them.
rippin-lips reply :
On 3/25/2017 at 10:03 AM, MassYak85 said:This is basically all I use.
For those of you that take off the spool pin, what tool do you use? I know @rippin-lips mentioned the hedgehog studios tool, and I will admit from what I have seen online the design seems like the best out there, but I've also heard of many guys having them break on them.
I will tell you that once you use quality tools it's night and day. I started with basic tools from Lowes when I got into reel maintenance. Once I switched to wera drivers my life got easier. First time you strip out a screw or hex head you'll see what I'm talking about.
I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago and I've had it for at least 3yrs now. It's been used a lot too. The new version was improved compared to the original and I don't see it wearing out. Possibly the pin on the end of the cross wrench but it's now replaceable also. My pin never broke on me. The threads in the body gave out but it's aluminum and was just tapped and threaded. The wrench was steel though. The new one has a stainless insert in the body. Much better design.
Angry John reply :
I have the old hhs tool and have yet to wear it out. I dont take the pin out often as i remove a shield off the bearing the first time then just add a drop of oil. I got the husky multi screw driver tool ant its money. It has hallow ground bits, but i cant find it any more.
Dwight Hottle reply :
Take some pictures as you go if your mechanically challenged.
Raul reply :
A bigazz plastic container to disassemble inside of it, those C, A clips, tiny screws and itsy bitsy teeny tiny partz got the bad habit of boldly flying ( or falling ) where no other reel part has ever gone before, at least that way you will know they are in the container.
FrankN209 reply :
On 3/26/2017 at 8:15 AM, Raul said:A bigazz plastic container to disassemble inside of it, those C, A clips, tiny screws and itsy bitsy teeny tiny partz got the bad habit of boldly flying ( or falling ) where no other reel part has ever gone before, at least that way you will know they are in the container.
I was thinking about this mat. I know it's for soldering, but it would work for reel maintenance..
https://www.amazon.com/Insulation-UnaMela-Heat-Resistant-Maintenance-Electronic/dp/B01N99JC3K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1490539061&sr=8-3&keywords=Work+table+mat
Maico1 reply :
Tools with the next victim .....
crypt reply :
being a mechanic/machinist, I use Snap-On almost exclusively. also have Hedgehog pullers. they are great for the money plus some others that I made.
rippin-lips reply :
On 3/27/2017 at 12:43 AM, Maico1 said:Tools with the next victim .....
What tool holder is that?
dmainor reply :
Looks an awful lot like a popcycle tray.
Dug
Maico1 reply :
It is a Popsicle Mold purchased at either Walmart or Target not sure which one because it was a while ago. I did look for a mfg. tag but could not find one, so here is another picture showing the three deep tubes. It certainly keeps everything organized with easy accessibility .....
J Francho reply :
I'll add a muffin pan to hold the parts in "sub assemblies" to make it easier to reassemble.
Burke reply :
On 3/27/2017 at 7:54 PM, Maico1 said:It is a Popsicle Mold purchased at either Walmart or Target not sure which one because it was a while ago. I did look for a mfg. tag but could not find one, so here is another picture showing the three deep tubes. It certainly keeps everything organized with easy accessibility .....
Not bad idea ...I might do that
BobP reply :
And a paper clip with a little 90 degree tang bent in one end to remove those recalcitrant side plate bearings from baitcasters.
J Francho reply :
On 3/27/2017 at 10:58 PM, BobP said:And a paper clip with a little 90 degree tang bent in one end to remove those recalcitrant side plate bearings from baitcasters.
T-pins work better. They're harder than most paper clips, which often bend out. Thou both are VERY handy, and belong in the tool bin.
DaveT63 reply :
On 3/4/2017 at 10:57 AM, rippin-lips said:Wera and Wiha make the best tools you can get for reel maintenance imo. I use the wera screwdriver set and the hex driver set. Hedgehog trust wrench is great for handle nuts. Their spool pin tool is also the best design I've used.
Is there a particular set that you use? Amazon seems to have a number of them, and I don't see any of them that look to have the small screwdrivers.
rippin-lips reply :
On 3/28/2017 at 12:31 AM, DaveT63 said:Is there a particular set that you use? Amazon seems to have a number of them, and I don't see any of them that look to have the small screwdrivers.
Wera Kraftform 7pc set
I then bought 3 kraftform hex drivers separately. 1.5-2-2.5 for hedgehog parts and Megabass reels since they use hex heads for a lot of stuff.
DaveT63 reply :
On 3/28/2017 at 1:57 AM, rippin-lips said:Wera Kraftform 7pc set
I then bought 3 kraftform hex drivers separately. 1.5-2-2.5 for hedgehog parts and Megabass reels since they use hex heads for a lot of stuff.
Thanks!
BobP reply :
Gee guys, all this talk about specific high end tool sets is Making me feel inadequate. I walked into Home Depot 20 yrs ago and bought a set of miniature screw drivers for about 7 bucks. Probably made in Pakistan. I take the 10mm wrench out of my generalized wrench set. A small paint brush to spread grease, a paper clip to prize out side bearings. That's all I've ever needed to completely take down and service all my Shimano, Daiwa, and Ambassadeur reels. Maybe an occasional larger wrench if I'm working on a spinning reel. High end tools are nice, but...
Maico1 reply :
Different reels require different tools......
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