I have a reel where one of the paddle handles is sloppy and I think the rivet is wobbling in the hole in the handle. Can I give it a whack with a hammer or a punch and tighten it up? Hate to go waling on it if that isn't the way to fix it. I'm talking about the opposite side of the rivet as shown here - the side that is visible on the other side of the handle.

 

OK, it's this side. This isn't my reel, just a photo I found. Either my rivet wasn't fully compressed during assembly or the hole is enlarged or out of round. My rivet has a little play so the handle has a bit of wobble. It's only going to get worse over time and fall out if I don't do something

 

I think I would look for a cost-effective handle replacement through Ali Express or ebay.  

 

You didn't tell us your reel configuration, but can probably find one with ball bearings in the handle grasp to fit just about any reel - baitcaster, spinning reel with hex-shaft handle, etc.  

We're talking about $10 or $15 with patience for slow-boat shipping.  

 

baitcaster handle boss is 4x7mm or 5x8mm; the hex shaft shown is for Daiwa 1000-3000.  

I’m not sure what is your reel and if it’s worth to do this modification. There are these “the screw on knob shaft handle”. You can knock off old rivet shaft and install proper fit shaft with screw on both sides. Again don’t ask me how to remove old river without damaging the old handle and which one would fit your reel. Maybe go with @bulldog1935suggeated, and that I would do.

 

You can try to reset the rivet. You need a steel flat plate and a flat punch that fits into the handle counterbore. The rivet is a post with a step to prevent over tightening set.

Wosrt that can happen is splitting the handle knob or too tight to spin freely.

Plan B is order a new handle.

 Tom 

Get a new handle ?

Its probably the paddle becoming worn, not the rivet loosening. 

Riveted handle knobs can't be adjusted. They're generally not shimmed and will naturally have handle knob slop. You have 3 options. Deal with it. Buy a new handle that allows for a knob to be removed via a screw under the knob cap and shimmed correctly. Drill the rivet out and replace it /w a replacement shaft that was shown above. you can find them readily available on AliExpress for both Daiwa/abu or shimano. Just get the right size. Tapping a riveted handle out is very easy. just go slow from the backside.   

No offense, but the 4 mm replacement knob spindle fits both Daiwa S and Shimano A.  

The problem is that it will probably also need a new knob with a set of 740ZZ ball bearings, making the complete Ali replacement handle the best and most cost-effective result.  

Ten bucks - MAD Magazine Cheep.  

 

On antique reels, where the rivet was splayed at its base, never, ever had any luck trying to reset the rivet (that really needs a new rivet), but many times have set them in JBWeld with success.  

But even that is halfway to a new Ali Express ball bearing handle.

 

 

13 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

No offense, but the 4 mm replacement knob spindle fits both Daiwa S and Shimano A.  

The problem is that it will probably also need a new knob with a set of 740ZZ ball bearings, making the complete Ali replacement handle the best and most cost-effective result.  

 

On antique reels, where the rivet was splayed at its base, never, ever had any luck trying to reset the rivet, but many times have set them in JBWeld with success.  

 

 

He didnt say what reel/handle he has. There’s Daiwa S, Daiwa L, Shimano A and Shimano B etc. Difference obviously being length or post and the lower portion of the post being 5mm. Not to mention if his knob would require the spacer to adapt to a daiwa post. 
 

get the correct replacement for your reel. 

When you do the JB Weld fix (I just recently did this on an old DAM Quick 700 handle) make sure the pin seats properly into the handle.  I didn't, so now even though it is solid, it is extended further on the knob side allowing more play than original.  Perhaps the JB Weld expanded while it cured?  IDK.  Some sort of shim system would probably help keep the pin set into the handle -- a shim in the recessed knob hole and a shim with an access hole on the flat side, then clamped straight.  Push epoxy in to surround the pin, but not too much to get onto the knob on the other side.   

 

Hmm, maybe a new handle -- but I'm having trouble finding flat handles that aren't too long, for older reels.

 

 

...

Searching a few leads on StripersOnline, Quick 700 swap with Ambassadeur handles.  (they have a pretty amazing archive that searches well)

 

@Linewinder from Japan, Valleyhill makes nice $40 double handle options (80 mm double - 40 mm pitch).  

Mike's reel repair offers a 40-mm pitch single handle, $52.  

Kahara makes a 55mm double handle for $50.  

Someone else may know how to find an Ambassadeur handle on Ali Express, but I haven't been able to...

 

 

and I'll still bet $10 our OP doesn't have an offshore reel with Daiwa L or Shimano B knob -

- that fits a Studio Ocean Mark knob.  

You could drill the old one out. You have to put the old rivet in a vice. But I am going out on a limb a little bit here and say that a reel with riveted knobs is probably not a venerated and valuable reel that would have it value decimated unless it were in original configuration, so if it were mine, I'd just buy a replacement handle from one of the 1000's out there for $10-$20. They are probably better handles than the original.

11 hours ago, WRB said:

You can try to reset the rivet. You need a steel flat plate and a flat punch that fits into the handle counterbore. The rivet is a post with a step to prevent over tightening set.

Wosrt that can happen is splitting the handle knob or too tight to spin freely.

Plan B is order a new handle.

 Tom 

Yup, Have done it on a bunch of handles. Takes a bit of feel not to over do it, but it's not that hard. If you can get a punch that matches the rivet head, that would be best. We have an anvil an a couple of vises (three if you count booze) in the shop, but anything solid will work in a pinch. 

9 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Searching a few leads on StripersOnline...

So I would need some Jersey tools to install those handles?...  

looking for something else, stumbled onto this place today, with Many cost-effective handles sorted by reel brand.  

Reel Handles | Mat's Reel Repair and Parts (matsreelrepair.com)

@Linewinder

12 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Yup, Have done it on a bunch of handles. Takes a bit of feel not to over do it, but it's not that hard. If you can get a punch that matches the rivet head, that would be best. We have an anvil an a couple of vises (three if you count booze) in the shop, but anything solid will work in a pinch. 

So I would need some Jersey tools to install those handles?...  

LMFAO.... ?. I think you’re best off finding a replacement handle but looking forward to hearing your outcome.

Time for a new handle.  And just curious, what reel is this for?