.RM.

Actually they said they wouldn't be selling Blanks to custom builders any longer... Shimano/Loomis is still producing rack rods for retail..... Many anglers still think that "The Man" has something to do with the old G-Loomis name, and nothing could be more futher from the truth. If your wondering what Gary Loomis is up to visit his Co's site.. http://www.northforkcomposites.com/ Tight Lines!!!

Quantum Lite 550, mfg early 90, all graphite reel frame side-plates drag star, etc. Discontinued around 93, no parts available I know of... If I remember right the GR was 5.1:1 The reel had one bearing pack if I remember right, the rest of it was bushings...... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Just like any other centrifical brakeing system........ Snap them toward the outer edge of the spool to turn them on and snap them toward the center (spool shaft) to turn them off. .. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

A heat gun is to hot, try getting your hands on an adjustable output hair dryer, and make sure you always place your hand behind the blank when heating the old epoxy to remove. This way you can tell when it gets to hot for the blank. To hot on the hand to hot for the blank...Blanks tend to turn to mush around 300 degrees f... Good Luck & Tight Wraps..........

What you use as long as it is made for reels is personal preferences, but the amounts you use are the important point... "Less is best", 1 drop quality oil used for each bearing pack, quality GEAR grease for gears only and applied with enough pressure to force it down into the teeth, never just applied ontop... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

I own 2 these reels are black in color and look a lot like the lews BB1's, the mfging year was 1985. The palming plate side spool support is a bushing, the right hand spool support is bushing, the cast control cap side spool support is bushing. The AR is dog run no instant AR, the braking system is two centrifical blocks that cannot be shut down similar to the older Garcia round reels. I have a few parts for my reels and there are none available from any source that I have tried in the last decade. The reels are really a conversation piece up on a shelf, I have fished them some but not for anything heavy I don't really think they would hold up.... Tight Lines!!!!!

It's really great that the magic eraser works so well. But how do you keep them that way when they are cleaned up, so you don't have to scrub them quite so often. The key to keeping the grips clean and easy to clean up is sealing them........... Tight Lines!

I wouldn't worry so much how much per guide and the likes, the shipping to & from is the killer on a 7' rod. You would do best contacting a local AZ builder it would make the whole thing much cheaper... Just a thought.... Good Luck & Tight lines!!!

I disagree here... If you consider GRAMS as significant.. Placing only in the tip section (maybe 3 to 4 guides), isn't significant weight savings...... Maybe in conjunction with split grip no for grip (less cork or foam), and using the lightest seats (maybe skeletal), using the least amount of finish etc. Tight Lines!

I own 5 rear drag Shimano' SP reels. Properly cared for and maintained they are fine reels and as stated easier to use when fighting fish. Have seen and service many RD spinning reels, and will agree that they can be sticky. But the angler/s using them must remember that it takes a lot of fighting torque to turn the spool axel with drags pads in front set tight, and, even more to turn rear pads set to tight... Just a thought... Tight Lines All!!!

You bet it will!!

I agree with burleytog 100%. I service tons of Stradic's and the only thing you can hear is the swishing sound of the bail wire and bail arms as the rotor is turning. The sound of bearings that are going bad/bad have a very distinct metallic grinding sound... I would register (1 yr warranty) and use the reel (break it in), and, if the sound gets worse or the reel fails it is under warranty send it into the factory then. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Take/send it back, all of the brakes should have the ability to be turned off.... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Your right you don't... But if you want a rod built to fit you and the reel your using, and, not a general build then you DO need a custom builder.. Tight Lines!!!

A good friend of mine might tell you different.....

Trying to reinvent the wheel here........... Isn't this what the Tackle Making section is all about???? I believe in the best of section there is an article on every step of a custom rod in production, been there for years..... 8-)

If the reel is that new it is just breaking in. Don't worry about the slight rough feeling when you crank it (gears are just breaking in) or, the bearing noise you hear when casting (usually dry bearing packs). You can clean the spool bearings and re-oil (one drop of quality oil per) this will stop/cut down the casting noise, then get a solid season of use. Then get it tuned up... Tight Lines!!!

As a custom rod builder.... If your having the rod built by Delaware Valley Tackle, why not ask them what blank they recommend for the rod your having them build...

Personally if I were traveling in the us only and fishing I would be packing as stated before here, but would be shipping via a ground carrier ahead of my arrival times. That way I am not being charged as they are charging for every little thing on air carriers these days. Just a thought.. Tight Lines!!!

From the linked page.. I have 5 hats from my experiences with their CS......One of the reasons I went to their factory training session's and was listed with them in the late 90's and early 2000.

That is BS .... It isn't a gimmick, been building on splits for a decade now. It never was a custom rod sales gimmick it was used to reduce the overall weight of the finished product. The manufacturers that have finally jumped on board are using it as such. Whether we (custom builders) could use the extra area for bling or not just evolved. But the real reason it came about was for weight reduction, and the sensitivity issue came with it. Tight Lines All!!!

Mike doesn't list this reel as a matter of fact he doesn't list any signature branded reels for Quantum®. Went to tackleservice.com and plugged in the proper model number KV1001hxd, came up with this info.. "KEVIN VAN DAM 7.0 LH BC REEL KV1001HXD" If you need assistance with your product or warranty parts, call (800) 588-9030 hours of operation are 7:00 A.M. to 4:45 P.M. CST Monday - Friday. "There are currently no parts listed for this model." I have serviced Quantum® for over 15 years now (no longer), and they don't get any better just more confusing in their CS... You might get a copy of the schematic from Outdoor World Rod & Reel Repair.. Tight Lines!!!!

They are about 20 years old. They are worth sentimental value only there are no parts available for them. They look good on a shelf, but would NOT hold up to today's style's of fishing. Tight Lines!!!

Hell Daiwa® has the schematic on the website, but the schematic is only part of the owners manual.. 8-)

Ultra Mag XLT Plus... The biggest piece of JUNK that Garcia® ever came out with... Tight Lines All!!!