Delaware Valley Tackle

Did you degrease everything? Lubricate sliding parts with a Med to heavy oil. Other thing is that gently turning the handle is not normal operating motion and will cause many reels to hang up

The knob comes off they just don't sell them separately. That's why they don't show on schematics.

If that's the model that comes with ceramic bearings it could be their normal sound as well

The schematic doesn't show it but that cap should unscrew. Probably has some locktite or something. Use a large slotted screw driver with a big grip for most leverage.

The "pros" are just like the rest of us as in no two are the same. Don't base your decisions on them unless you agree with the reasons one of them offers for their choices and preferences.

A "MH" st croix is pretty stout. A Med would fit the bill.

Joy sauce grease is junk it gums up. The oil is ok but nothing special. Don't like the red dye stains. Any light oil will work on bearings. Seeing machine oil, R.E.M. Oil or 3in1 are readily available. Oust, yellow rocket fuel and boca lightning are good choices if you want to spend more. Tsi 321 301 is nice but pricy and more than you can use in a lifetime. Oiling ceramics is counter productive. If you don't like the sound stick with good ss

Shaving weight and maintaining or lowering price points comes at a cost. These are fine reels but expectations on them especially in the smoothness department are sometimes unrealistic. I can say for certain if that's the case here without seeing it but something to keep in mind.

No new reel should require anything right out of the box. Fish them hard for a season and deal with any warranty issues then have them deep cleaned

That's a good knot but there is no one knot that's best for all applications(as with lines, rods, lures etc)

Ok kidding aside unless this was the first time you used the rod it got dinged at some point. An inadvertent smack on a cleat or flipping jig is all it takes. Damage imperceptible to the naked eye can cause failure later on.

They're not stained and actually not cork. They're cork dust and filler material glued and pressed

No

The traits that make cork good handle material keeps it from absorbing stain. Cork can be painted but whether it rubs off depends on the type and quality of the paint job.

I've been down the bearing road already. Just goes to show they're as much st a loss as the rest of us. It's just a design result. Live with it or move on.

Contact Daiwa and ask for a new spool assembly.

I've had a number of new Shimano's through the shop that feel less smooth than expected. There are all kinds of theories as to the cause but it's somewhat of a puzzle. I haven't found anything obviously defective, worn or broken in any of them. As of now I'm of the opinion that the light weight and fine gear teeth transmit some feel. Smoothness comes from mass (think D series) but the weight is a turn off for some.

Naphtha works well but it's nasty stuff. acetone is a better choice. My favorite is perfect solution but that's probably overkill for a reel or two.

Thank you for inviting me to participate in your project. It was a fun change of pace. Enjoy the results !

The models referenced use oscillating gear instead of a worm gear. If the gears are not aligned properly it may be part of the problem.

A spool change won't affect either of those.

On paper the Shimano is the better design due mainly to bearing supported pinion. On the water performance is pretty comparable. Longevity wise Shimano probably has an edge especially if maintenance is marginal. Neither is junk by any means.

As far as I'm concerned they're interchangeable

By drag star I assume you mean the knob. If the knob setting doesn't hold that would be where I concentrate.

PM sent. I've been unsuccessful contacting that company on an unrelated matter. Hopefully you'll have better luck. You're sure when you pull line the spool is turning correct?