.RM.

I have never serviced one with a lose side plate. Are you making sure that the turn key is in the threads properly when your tightening it. It could be crossing and feeling tight, and not really tightening down. When I set the side plate on, I always turn the turn-key in reverse (loosen) to make sure that the treads are aligned, then tighten it down, should only take about 1 1/2 turns to tighten the side plate.. If not then return it, the side plate shouldn't be lose. When you get the side plate tightened the way it should be, the bearings line up differently on the spool shaft with less binding, it will/would be smoother with a tight side plate. If it is still stiff when you get the side plate issue taken care of, then it is time to remove the spool support bearing packs and clean them out and re-oil them. Just my .02¢ Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

hydrillagorilla2, This is a great idea.. I would like to help, I would be more than happy to build up a custom rod for raffling off, this could help with your bottom line.... What I would need is input on what length and power, whether or not it should be conventional or spiral wrapped. It WILL have split grips. Keep me informed and let me know what you think... Tight Lines All!!!!

Thanks Muddy.......

Someone here define HMG..... :-?

Direct from Shimano® the only spool available is for the DSV, MSRP is $43.76.. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Mike-in-WV, You are right, today they don't want you inside the reels. Not on what I'm charging you guys....Besides you don't need to break the reel down every time for internal cleaning. I would only do that once a season, or if you actually feel the sand in the main gear (which I don't think you would feel). Because back in the early days the only schematics for service were found in the user manual. When the angler walked into a tackle shop that would do repairs that was what was used, the users manual. Most newcomers just throw the box and everything in it away as soon as they get the reel out of it, they think they know all there is to know about a reel, because they read it on a forum.............Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Do not use the magic erasers they now have perfume scents in them... The fastest and easiest way to Cleaning Cork Handles Tight Lines!!!!

Because there isn't anything on the outside of the reel that uses grease. Grease in the reel is only used on the main drive and pinion gear teeth and only there.

4pwr, When you pay $150.00 - $500.00 for a reel... $3.99 to keep the bearings running right isn't anything...You can go out and buy any kind of oil, and grease, but the viscosity of (the oil especially) will be the problem in your reel. So buck up and do the right thing. Less is more, and, quality oil and grease is best. Reel Oil & Grease... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

Jig Man, You really need to quit paying so much attention to the so called experts at TT..... :Lighter fluid will eat at the nylon parts in a reel, it is a carcinogen (it can and does cause cancer), not to mention the flash point. The best I have seen to clean reels is Birchwood Casey® Reel Scrubber, second best is Simple Green and hot water soaking...... Mike-in-WV, Your right less is more in reel lubrication. All gears and bearing packs should be cleaned before re-lubing. Grease on the main drive and pinion gears teeth only and down to the base of the gear teeth.Just_Old_Fisherman. Nuff said there..... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

I agree with Bassn Blvd 100%. Taking 3" off of the tip area really changes a rod. The Action/Taper gets stiffer, Stiffness/Power increases, Line Rating (lower range increases) (upper range slight increase), Lure Rating increases lower range increases) (upper range slight increase), tip top size increases, Blank Weight slight decrease. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

I can't believe you are saying that Revo's and Curado B's have graphite frames. Both definitely have aluminum frames. Nope he's right. :-[ I was looking at the wrong reels when I wrote the reply. The reels I have that are graphite frames are the Competitions, and some old Energy reels, but all are Quantum. my mistake.... :-[i only have about 100 reels on my shelves....

Kooter, Most of the research that I know about on electric reels was done about 30 years ago by Shimano®, and Penn®. They were all for blue water (deep sea) reels. I have seen one that will handle a Penn 4500 spinning reel but has a hefty weight (32oz) to just the motorized section of the system. For some of these systems the battery packs are huge. I have never have seen anyone come up with a system to handle actual freshwater fishing like trout, bass, and the likes. Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

A 5 power rod snapping on a 2lb fish..... Almost sounds like line wrapped around the tip on hook-set.. :-? The only way your going to find out for sure is to contact them... 8-) Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

When it come to names for rods and or rod shops you really have to be careful and research them. L-B-H try doing a Google search for just the (Helios Custom) and see what comes up, it isn't anything fishing related but you do have to be careful. Good Luck....

NorDoor, How many rods have you built? Before you think about a catchy name, you need to build some catchy (fish catching) rods. I built over a 100 rods before I came up with my rod shop name. Now with over a 1000+ custom builds for the shop, and, 15 years of learning the name feels and looks good on the rods. Just my .02¢ Good Luck & Tight Wraps!!!

NO they aren't. All depends on how you maintain the reels. 8-)

Probably a composite. Graphite and Glass. The power rating (backbone) is medium, and the tip you describe IMPO is a mod tip action (kind of like the ugly stix). This rod is could be used for trebles...

I don't think you understand what all goes into a rod build. You need to read some....DG Rod Works...

FLBassMan, Daiwa® is another mfg. that uses that very same style of screw to soft hold the nose piece and crank-side plate until you get the plate screws in place. Thanks for the kind words on the rods.... Tight Lines!!!!

Boett43, On a 7' a St.Croix 2S70MF med action custom build, $70 is what you would pay for the blank... Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

There is a small black thumb release on the bottom of the side plate. Push it towards the center of the reel and twist the side plate down. Edit: do this at the same time (push and twist)

For me it makes no difference. Once the reel/s are set up proper, the mag or centrificale spool breaks work equally well in conjunction with my thumb style.... Now your talking design styles for each mfgr. I could not even begin to touch any reasons why, one Co. designs one way and vis versa....

Yeah the source is Shimano. MSRP is about $20.00 a set (pinion & main) What is your GR now? 6.2:1 or 3.8:1? Up form 3.8:1 to 5.1:1 you will need a new key washer, new drag pad, L/H cut main drive gear, and new L/H cut pinion gear, the pinion yoke still stays the same. Down from 6.2:1 WHY? Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Rand, I do..... 8-)What are you wanting to do to the reel. You can change GR's, upgrade spool support bearings, upgrade drag materials, not to mention the polishing I do.... ;D Just finished 5 200B 3.8:1's, converted them to 5.1:1 and all the infernal upgrades... cootertom, That was on another forum...Tight Lines!!!