Besides the boca pliers how else can you remove the pin to get the bearing out? I have a way i use but its a pain and if im not very very careful i can and have damaged the shaft and or spool...thanks...

either make your own if you're handy or pony up 35$ for either the boca pliers or hedgehog tool. I hate the pliers and much prefer the hedgehog. just buy the tool. It's more than worth it. 

Get a tool, its not worth trying to jimmy rig something to get it out. There's a high potential you'll destroy your spool. Learn from my experiance.

Spend the money and save yourself the headache...

What about if you can't get the pin back in far enough to use the Hedgehog tool. I just had that problem with an Avail spool so I sent it to DVT. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say about it. Do the pliers work ok.

The hedgehog tool works well, but make sure you use the blunt side first to push the pin flush against the spool shaft then use the skinny side to push it the rest of the way through.  Also, put a piece of tape on the spool so the tool doesn't scratch it.

The HedgeHog Studios tool has been re designed. The newest version is said to not scratch the spool.

For what it's worth, I have the original version. I've used it hundreds of times and never scratched a spool. I don't know where that myth came from.

Tackle Trap has them now, so you won't need to pay overseas shipping to own one. They are well worth the money.

I tried to make a pair of spool pliers out of regular pliers and it did not turn out as expected...

 

I then got the Boca Bearing Pliers and they are worth evey penny.

For a one shot deal It's a better bang fir the buck to have the reel serviced and the bearings installed in the process. Slapping bearings into an un-serviced reel is penny wise / pound foolish.