I can work on cars fine.  I think I might dabble on minor reel stuff.   I honestly don’t even know what the innards of a reel looks like. 
 

I want a peek.

 

my car screwdrivers will prob ruin a reel.  
 

suggestions?

An interesting question that can go in many directions.

 

With exception of JIS tools, some of the most common tools to use on various reels are a good selection of screwdrivers for both types- straight and Phillip's. And, some prefer nut drivers for things like handle removal on baitcast reels, but I have always preferred a good quality 6" crescent wrench as it is easily adjustable to any size nut and has less contact with handles and does not scratch them. My preference brand of screwdrivers is the old Craftsman type.

 

Sometimes you might need an e ring clip removal/installation tool. And some really good needle nose pliers come in handy as well. Not the mechanic type with blunt ends, but more or less the electronics type that are thinner and more pointy for things like C clip installing on small parts where our fingers are just too large to do it. Surgical forceps can be used for similar.

 

Another handy tool are dental picks of various shapes and sizes, and a good spool axle pin removal tool.

 

I use a brass wire brush often. Brass is a softer metal and can remove dirt and corrosion without scratching the metal being cleaned.

 

Just basic common hand tools, but on a smaller scale than automotive tools.

 

Some basic chemicals are needed as well. A weak solvent is useful like mineral spirits to clean out bearings and parts. And you will need some synthetic lubricants. I use Shimano drag greases as there are several, and a good synthetic oil. Lots to choose from. I prefer corrosion X because I live in Florida a salty corrosive environment and I want the best corrosion protection I can get for saltwater reel use. I can fortunately say I don't experience rusty bearings at all.

 

The primary grease we used in the shop is superlube. An almost clear synthetic grease. Try and avoid petroleum based lubricants as they can harden up over time and act more like glue than a grease. And some reel brands have parts that may dissolve with petroleum products, and can sometimes mar the surface of plastic parts and reels. Most synthetics will do fine and cause no harm.

 

I should add a disclaimer on Corrosion X. The shop I used to work would not allow it in the shop for use on reels and WD40 was also banned from the shop because it is a petroleum product. Its more solvent than lubricant and dries up quickly and is about useless for anything other than breaking loose parts corroded together. It does soak in good and that's about it. The corrosion X was not allowed because the shop owner said it can creep under painted surfaces and possibly cause reels' painted surfaces to flake off. I have never personally experienced this and works fine on my reels, but just letting you know some are allowed and some are not.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285633503567

 

 

You don't need all of these, but just showing you what a warranty repair shop has to have just for Shimano brand of reels.

 

SHIMANO Service parts Reel Maintenance Grease Oil  - Part No  - Select

 

Brand : Shimano

Part Type : Oil / Grease  - Select

Weight:  4.5g / 30g  - Select 

Type : Reel Maintenance

Country/Region of Manufacture : Japan

Package Includes : SHIMANO genuine grease oil list - Part No  - Select

 

ACE-0 ( DG 01) - 30g

ACE-2  ( DG 04 ) - 30g

SHIP-0 (DG 06) - 30g

DG -1 ( DG 12) - 30g

SR-G ( DG13) 30g

DG15  - 30g

OIL1 B100 oil - 4.5g

OIL2 SSRO-01 oil - 4.5g

 

■ SHIMANO genuine grease oil list

 

Part No:  ACE-0 ( DG 01)

[SHIMANO] Drag Grease ACE-0 - DG01 for Spinning reel and Baitcasting Reel

・Part name：Service grease ACE-0（Old name DA）

・Contents：30g

・Where to use：Felt (general purpose spinning) drag washer

・Double-screw reel carbon washer

・Friction ring of spinning reel

・Sliding parts of the bale, etc.

・Felt general purpose spinning drag washers.

・Carbon washers for double-spindle reels

・Apply well to drag washers and felts of spinning and bait reels.

 

 

Part No: ACE-2  ( DG 04 )

[SHIMANO] Bait casting Reels Grease ACE-2 - DG04

・Part name：Service grease ACE-2（Old name DC）

・Contents：30g

・Where to use：Gears for both axes and electric motors (excluding Tiagra)

・Grease for drags and gear of baitcasting reels

・Please paste felt Drag Washer.

 

Part No : SHIP-0 (DG 06)

[SHIMANO] Gear Grease SHIP - DG06 for Spinning, Baitcasting Reel

Part name：Service grease SHIP-0 （Old name GA）

・Contents：30g

・Where to use：General-purpose spinning gears and worm shafts

・Various handles

・Various bearings, A-RBs (excluding Tiagra)

・Grease for baitcasting/spinning reels

・This is useful for gears, plastic parts and wearing metal parts.

・In comparison with other types of grease, this is more soft and smooth.

・It helps bearings and low torque gears to make their spinning smooth.

 

Part No: DG -1 ( DG 12)

SHIMANO] Grease DG -1 - DG12 - 30g

・Contents：30g

・Drag Grease DG12 for SW Spinning Reels 

・It is the grease for application to the drag washer of SW spinning reel.

・Please apply grease to the located in the spool surface of the drag washers.

 

 Part No: Grease SR-G - DG13

SHIMANO] Grease SR-G - DG13 - 30g

・Part name：Grease SR-G

・Contents：30g

・Where to use：SW Spinning Reel Gear / Drive

・Grease for saltwater spinningreels and baitreels.

・This is useful for gears, plastic parts and wearing metal parts of saltwater spinng reels and baitreels..

 

Part No : Connector Grease - DG15  

SHIMANO genuine] - Connector Grease - DG15 (30g)

・Part name：Connector grease

・Contents：30g

・Where to use：Electric reel connector

・Recommended use：Electric reel connector

 

Part No: OIL1 B100

[SHIMANO genuine] -OIL1 B100 oil (BANTAM OIL)-

・Part name：B-100 oil

・Internal volume：4.5g

・Where to use：Roller clutch (spinning)

・Recommended use：Roller clutch (spinning), centrifugal brake (bait reel other than DC) brake pipe / brake ring, spool shaft (general), bearing in general (general)

 

Part No: OIL2 SSRO-01 oil

[SHIMANO genuine] OIL2 SSRO-01 oil

・Part name：SSRO-01 (oil)

・Internal volume：4.5g

・Where to use：Worm shaft (general), bearing (general), etc.

Bait reel spool shaft

・Anti-corrosion applications for exterior parts (such as crimped shafts)

・Recommended applications: Warm shafts (general), bearings (general), bait reel spool shafts, rust preventive applications for exterior parts (crimped shafts, etc.)

 

And that is just for Shimano!

 

Daiwa has their own preferred lubricants for their reels:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285633614731

 

 

But what you will find is that a lot of people working on reels at home won't follow the brand recommendations nor use brand preferred lubricants.

 

In that case, a lot of times you will find that maybe only 3 or 4 lubricants will be used most of the time. A drag grease of one type, a superlube grease for most applications other than drag washers, and maybe one or two synthetic oils of various viscosities will usually suffice.

 

There is the brand preferred and recommended way to reel servicing, and there is the non-brand way. Since they are your reels, you can go whichever way you choose. We all do anyways! Just how it goes.

 

Working on some reels can be a lot of fun and rewarding when it goes right. And other reels can be a nightmare and not much fun. I hope you enjoy it. Let us know how it goes and post some of your work here on the forum.

Low price kit to 'get your feet wet'

Reel Tool Kit

 

If it turns out it's something you like doing - upgrade the tools.

7 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I can work on cars fine.  I think I might dabble on minor reel stuff.   I honestly don’t even know what the innards of a reel looks like. 
 

I want a peek.

 

my car screwdrivers will prob ruin a reel.  
 

suggestions?

What reels do you have? Some might require a tool that others don’t. A Whiha precision driver set is at the core of my setup. If I ever replace them I’ll get T handles or fatter grips for tight fasteners.  If you get stuck on anything or want to pick my brain feel free to message me directly. 

Electronic kits are good if you arent trying to spend much money.  There like $10, come in a hard case.  You get all the little torx, philips and flat heads you need for small reels.  Most come with brushes, soft picks and wedges.  

You can get a decent reel kit for like $50 that has everything.  Bearing tool, several small picks, retaining nut wrench with several sizes, spool removal kit and driver/multiple bit sets.

If I were you, I would take tear down a reel that you don't depend on first. 

Record yourself taking the reel apart, that way you have an idea of what its supposed to look like and the order of disassembly you followed.    

 

Here's a video I found that might be of interest to you.

 

 

I have some gunsmithing screwdrivers that I use for my gun interests. They are great for any precision instrument though where you want a good solid screw slot to tip interface.

https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/general-gunsmith-tools/screwdrivers-sets/magna-tip-58-bit-master-screwdriver-set/

thinking of this as my jumping off point.

 

#00, #0,#1, #2.

 

 

0 & 1 are most used, 2 is handy 00 has its use. Remember some slotted drivers too. 

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

0 & 1 are most used, 2 is handy 00 has its use. Remember some slotted drivers too. 

Ahhh.  Forgot those.  

Any little screw driver bit set will work. 

 

If you are working on bait casters. The bearing removal tool is handy.  It removes and installs the pin on the spool that holds the handle side spool bearing to the spool.  This pin also locks the spool shaft into the drive pinion.  You can find these on ebay.  One of the bigger ceramic bearing outlets also have them. 

 

A bearing checker isn’t necessary but, I find it Handy. I bought mine on ebay. 

 

A lot of the bait casting handle nuts are 10mm. It would be the outer most nut on the reel assembly that holds the handle together and keeps it on the shaft. 

 

I use cheap little hobby paint brushes to apply grease. 

 

 Q-tips with alcohol to help clean parts. Windex and or dish soap would work as they have de greasing agents in them. 

 

Get some reel grease, some bearing oil and you’re ready to go. 

This is my favorite. It has everything I need for small screws, especially the odd ball ones. 

 

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/screwdriver-sets/all-1-precision-screwdriver-set-case

 

 

^ Ya, Klein and Whiha (Mike's choice above) are the 'Gold Standards' for precision tools.

These are what I use for screwdrivers and really like them:

 

Wiha 26197 7 Piece Precision Slotted and Phillips Screwdriver Set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L46TEN2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

 

I use those, a dental pick, a 10mm wench (handle nut), and a bearing removal tool (I like Hedgehog Studios) to do almost all of my assembly/disassembly. 

 

For cleaning supplies, a toothbrush and a cheap cheap ultrasonic cleaner will do most of the work. I also have a few microfiber rags on hand, and the foam q tips. Most of my cleaning is done with diluted simple green, and I clean bearings in small glass jars in acetone (do not get acetone on plastic).

 

For re-assembly and re-lubing I use Cals drag grease, a heavier oil for frame bearings and the levelwind (I still have an old thing of Quantum Hot Sauce), and a lighter oil for spool bearings (TSI is popular, I think I'm currently using Boca lightning lube). 

 

Over the years I've gone from complete tear downs of every reel to the frame every season to now just do maintenance as necessary. Not every parts needs to go in the ultrasonic bath or get a true scrub down, rinse, and dry. It's just tedious. I wipe down what I can easily, pull all of the bearing, and deep clean whatever truly needs it. 

I have an assortment of screwdivers, small pliers, tools to remove spool bearings, pipe cleaners, qtips, solvents,greases etc.

 

This kit is very pricey, just using as a reference to see some of the tools you may need

https://a.co/d/3EXkwxr

 

Bottom line just make sure you use the right tool to take apart the reels. You can ruin a reel by not doing so. 

 

 

On 10/21/2025 at 11:59 PM, Bazoo said:

 

 

I have some gunsmithing screwdrivers that I use for my gun interests. They are great for any precision instrument though where you want a good solid screw slot to tip interface.

https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/general-gunsmith-tools/screwdrivers-sets/magna-tip-58-bit-master-screwdriver-set/

 

Took the thought right out of my head. Love my Brownell's precision screwdriver set, too.

so we dont need JIS screwdrivers to work on Shimano and Daiwa reels?

^ The main tools I use are a kit of precision drivers that my dad gave me once he left his position as Production Engineer for Nortons. They're 50+ years old and include flat blade, phillips, hex, torx and nut drivers. 

Don't waste too much, having 10 greases won't make your reel smoother than somebody who uses 2-3. This is what i'd get.

A handle nut wench on aliexpress. It's like $2
A set of screwdrivers from Wera on amazon. Great for everything, not just reels.
Shimano DG04 and DG06 grease. You don't need more than that.
Hedgehog Medium Light oil.
Needlenose pliers at your hardware store if you don't have a set.

That's it. After you've worked with that, you then can try other stuff, but you can cover mostly everything in a reel with what's mentioned above.

^ Ya - a dozen greases and oils won't help. I use Cals Tan for all my grease needs and (believe it or not) 3-in-1 Airtool lubricant for all my oiling....that's it for lubrication.

I would never own more than one lube and grease.  but focusing on getting to the greasy things first...with the screwdriver/tools discussion.  thanks!!

On 10/23/2025 at 4:54 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

I would never own more than one lube and grease.  but focusing on getting to the greasy things first...with the screwdriver/tools discussion.  thanks!!

Most important thing is to sure whatever tool you use seats with a perfect fit. When it comes to extracting small stripped fasteners let’s just say if I gave my honest thoughts I’d get a major scolding from Glenn’s staff. 

This will cover most of your bases 

https://a.co/d/9ifP9Cj

 

A couple of JIS that are nice to have 

https://a.co/d/3eXjrhW

https://a.co/d/eoFmHcc

 

Tweezer set

https://a.co/d/2ICMaed

 

Bearing check tool

https://a.co/d/eEQyvUG

 

I highly suggest the Wiha set above, it will cover the majority of jobs for most bass reels.  You'll also want a 10mm wrench, or even a small adjustable wrench.  As far as cleaning goes, lots of methods you can employ.  I use mineral spirits and a toothbrush for all non bearing parts and an ultrasonic cleaner with denatured alcohol for bearings.  Every one of us reel technicians has a method to our madness.  You will be no different as you find out what works for you.

 

 

Perfect response for me @redmeansdistortion .

 

thanks!

Sending the reels to a pro for cleaning and repair would seem like a less complicated and possibly less costly choice;  definitely safer.

Yes, but no where near as fun or rewarding!