That exact same thing happened to someone I know too, but both reels were shimanos... Now he uses Abu. Ha

Don't just email them. Call them and talk to a real person. They have great customer support. I've never had problems with them not standing behind their products. 

ouch, hopefully they stand behind there product and replace it....

if you get contace with abu, let us know what happens

I don't know what everyone does to their reels, but I have never had a problem with Abu Garcia reels. The only crappie reel I have is a Shimano, just sayin...That break looks to be from extreme force, not just from reeling it. The plastic look is casting, not plastic.

 

I'm a NAVSEA NDT LEVEL III EXAMINER, I specialize in examining metal, not just blowing smoke.

 

Harmon

The nanoshield coating is a proprietary metal, the actual stem is Xcraftic, yet another proprietary who knows what material.  Sad to see really.  Just confirms in my mind that no Abu made outside of Sweden is worth having.

Sad to see really. Just confirms in my mind that no Abu made outside of Sweden is worth having.

Ever used a Revo?

A couple of zip ties and that thing will be good as new!!

Not macro photos but it looks like there was a void in the casting (think cheese bubble on a pizza) .

The nanoshield coating is a proprietary metal, the actual stem is Xcraftic, yet another proprietary who knows what material.  Sad to see really.  Just confirms in my mind that no Abu made outside of Sweden is worth having.

 

Actually I believe the material is "Pot metal", also known as "monkey metal".

 

Here is a good read for you to use when talking with AG.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal

 

From wikipedia "Pot metal can be prone to instability over time, as it has a tendency to bend, distort, crack, shatter, and pit with age. The low boiling point of zinc and the fast cooling of the newly-cast part often allow air bubbles to remain within the cast part, weakening the metal. Many of the components of pot metal are susceptible to corrosion from airborne acids and other contaminants, and the internal corrosion of the metal often causes the decorative plating to flake off.^{[citation needed]} Pot metal is not easily glued, soldered or welded."

NanoShield is just a coating (paint or anodizing). "Xcraftic" is a marketing ploy for aluminum of a certain alloy. Again, that component is a cast piece and dollars to donuts there was a void in it. Happens from time to time (I saw a Stratic do the same thing) .

Bass Junkie...... yes I have.  Ive owned 3.  That's why I said anything Abu made outside of Sweden is Junk.

 

Im not anti-Abu. That's all I own.

So what was the outcome did they fix it?

Actually I believe the material is "Pot metal", also known as "monkey metal".

 

Here is a good read for you to use when talking with AG.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pot_metal

 

From wikipedia "Pot metal can be prone to instability over time, as it has a tendency to bend, distort, crack, shatter, and pit with age. The low boiling point of zinc and the fast cooling of the newly-cast part often allow air bubbles to remain within the cast part, weakening the metal. Many of the components of pot metal are susceptible to corrosion from airborne acids and other contaminants, and the internal corrosion of the metal often causes the decorative plating to flake off.^{[citation needed]} Pot metal is not easily glued, soldered or welded."

 

Perfect time for the overused term

 

"It is what it is!"

 

So if anyone is interested in a fully machined  "not machined from a casting" here are some modern alternatives

 

http://www.vanstaal.com/VM150_reels.htm

 

http://www.pennreels.com/products/reels/spinning-reels/torque

 

http://www.accuratefishing.com/products/twinspin/twinspin_index.php

UPDATE:

 

I put the reel back in its box and "forgot about" it for a few months figuring I'd just order the replacement part once I needed the reel again next year. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago and I was cleaning out my fishing cabinets in the garage and came across the reel, so I figured I'd quit being lazy and just call Abu since email got me nowhere (as previously mentioned). The guy on the phone was pretty straight forward and nice enough. He told me to just send the reel in with a brief letter detailing my story and the service department would take a look at it.

 

I sent the reel in 10 days ago and was pleasantly surprised to already have a package from Pure Fishing waiting for me today. I opened it up thinking it was cool I never received a call requesting payment of some sort and that they replaced the stem without charge... and then I was shocked that they sent be a brand spankin new reel despite the one I sent in being out of warranty and in good shape overall. 10 days from CA to Iowa and back... that's incredible customer service. I'm definitely not getting rid of my Shimanos and Daiwas by any means, but Abu has definitely won me over with their customer service and will have me as a fan for years to come. I figured the least I could do was pass this story along to let you guys know they went above and beyond.

Thats great. I had a similar experience with abu. Broken rod on second use, 2 emails and nothing so I just shipped it to them with a note and a check for return shipping. 10 days later, new rod and they never cashed the check for the return shipping.

Way to go ABU Garcia!