Beyond a 10mm ~ 13mm set of box wrenches , small Philips head and flat head screw driver - what unique tools , scribes , awls , tweezers , etc.   do you consider vital for reel maintenance ?

Depends, you might need spool shaft pin remover and torx bit especially for Daiwa. If you can get a hand on C-Clip removal tool, that will save a lot of headache.

5 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Depends, you might need spool shaft pin remover and torx bit especially for Daiwa. If you can get a hand on C-Clip removal tool, that will save a lot of headache.

Good suggestions ... A trapezoidal awl for spinning / cleaning bearings , short scribe for removing handle covers , maybe 1.5mm ~2.5mm Allen wrenches , small torx bits you mentioned . A useful set of precision Philips head and flat screw drivers which increase the life of reel screws would also seem to be of interest (versus those that come from a big box store) ? 

All I use is a set of jewelers screwdrivers (phillips, flathead, torx), an adjustable wrench, and bent tweezers, as far as regular hand tools go.  Beyond that, maybe a needle for dropping oil, a toothbrush for cleaning, an ultrasonic cleaner, toothpicks, and lots of paper towels.  Plus the chemicals.  I usually use the bent tweezers for removing c-clips, but you could get a specialized tool for that too.  

 

Oh, and a white towel to do it all on, and a tray with lots of compartments to keep all of the parts in order as I go.  Plus a digital phone to take lots of pictures, if I'm working on something I haven't seen before (which I use more for clock and camera repair than reels).

For tools I've got a boxed kit that has precision flat, phillips, torx, hex and nut drivers. Add tweezers, toothbrush, toothpicks, mini-crescent wrench and small needle-nose pliers.

 

I also have a parts grabber to pick up tiny screws, etc...just because I'm occasionally fumble-fingered.

 

 

Chemicals, soft lint-free cloths ($5/pack of 50) and syringes for placing oil round out the 'consumable' supplies

My favorite is a pair of curved fine tipped gripping pliers.  They work wonders for removing and installing parts in hard to reach places, also great for removing and reinstalling clutch springs.

   I've got you all beat. I send mine in. ???                    jj

3 hours ago, Bankc said:

All I use is a set of jewelers screwdrivers (phillips, flathead, torx), an adjustable wrench, and bent tweezers, as far as regular hand tools go.  Beyond that, maybe a needle for dropping oil, a toothbrush for cleaning, an ultrasonic cleaner, toothpicks, and lots of paper towels.  Plus the chemicals.  I usually use the bent tweezers for removing c-clips, but you could get a specialized tool for that too.  

 

Oh, and a white towel to do it all on, and a tray with lots of compartments to keep all of the parts in order as I go.  Plus a digital phone to take lots of pictures, if I'm working on something I haven't seen before (which I use more for clock and camera repair than reels).

*I'm saving an egg carton to keep screws and parts in order !

44 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

My favorite is a pair of curved fine tipped gripping pliers.  They work wonders for removing and installing parts in hard to reach places, also great for removing and reinstalling clutch springs.

Very Useful !

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

For tools I've got a boxed kit that has precision flat, phillips, torx, hex and nut drivers. Add tweezers, toothbrush, toothpicks, mini-crescent wrench and small needle-nose pliers.

 

I also have a parts grabber to pick up tiny screws, etc...just because I'm occasionally fumble-fingered.

 

 

Chemicals, soft lint-free cloths ($5/pack of 50) and syringes for placing oil round out the 'consumable' supplies

*Having a boxed kit is a great start - since I am starting out I need to find a quality kit I can add to my work bench ... I need precision screw drivers (Philip head , torx , flat)  , nut drivers , curved tweezers , small dedicated channel lock plyers , small C-clip remover , exacto knife ,bearing spinner / cleaner  (awl) , small art brushes for applying grease , foam Q-Tips , lighter fluid for cleaning bearings ,  Ardent Reel Cleaner (or similar) , a couple of oils , a couple of greases  and assorted other things . 

8 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

a couple of oils , a couple of greases 

I'm still using Abu oil and grease on all my reels - just need one good one of each. Maybe some Cals for fiber drag-washers...though some use that for the gears too. TSI-321 oil gets high praise from many members here.

 

10 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

Having a boxed kit is a great start

Was my dad's when he was an engineer - passed down to me years ago.

Spool shaft pin remover. Magnetic precision screwdriver set. Small flat paintbrush for grease. Brake cleaner.