Centrepins
- Thread starter Beaker
- Start date
Alan Tyler
Well-known member
If I don't do the centre screw up too tight, it now spins for over a minute, so I'm a happy shopper, but I can't help wondering if a shim isn't needed somewhere.
I wanted to quantify "Chunky", so took the kitchen balance upstairsand weighed and measuerd it and a few other reels for comparison:
Model
Weight g
Wt of spool g
Diameter inches
Depth mm
Cortesi
245
162
4 ¼
14
Trudex
211
94
3 3/4
11
GeeBee
292
174
4 ½
11
Speedia narrow
178
100
4
17
Speedia wide
239
134
4
17
Windex
309
161
3 3/4
~18
---------- Post added at 20:18 ---------- Previous post was at 20:17 ----------
Hmmm. so much for the "Insert table" function.
I wanted to quantify "Chunky", so took the kitchen balance upstairsand weighed and measuerd it and a few other reels for comparison:
---------- Post added at 20:18 ---------- Previous post was at 20:17 ----------
Hmmm. so much for the "Insert table" function.
Ian Morgan
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I've also bought one of these at £36 from Dragon Carp direct. Straight out of box it spins for well over a minute.
I would agree it is (or appears to be) a bargain.
However, not sure in practice when I will use it in preference to my Sheffield or Adcock Stanton (I almost always use the former)?
Is it surprising how often threads about pins come up on forums? I guess not - I for one always read them! Anglersnet is like 'Centrepins Anonymous' (though its often the same people posting)! Perhaps centrepins are the new/rich man's version of the float - "designed to catch anglers rather than fish".
Ian
I would agree it is (or appears to be) a bargain.
However, not sure in practice when I will use it in preference to my Sheffield or Adcock Stanton (I almost always use the former)?
Is it surprising how often threads about pins come up on forums? I guess not - I for one always read them! Anglersnet is like 'Centrepins Anonymous' (though its often the same people posting)! Perhaps centrepins are the new/rich man's version of the float - "designed to catch anglers rather than fish".
Ian
Alan Tyler
Well-known member
Well, it's a tad heavier than the wide-drum Speedia, but it's bigger, probably more rugged, and faster on the retrieve. The rim is wide and smooth - useful for leaving skin on your thumb when something large and grumpy decides to relocate in a hurry.
The spool wobbles a bit; I think the handles don't quite balance. Nothing a file won't fix.( I mean the whole reel wobbles when spun fast. There's no play on the bearings).
Almost everything is held together by screws, which makes it easier to fettle than rivetted parts. The downside is that this applies to the drum, so a round-the-back special tangle is going to require a cross-headed screwdriver to be packed.
My normal "Thug" reels are the Geebee and the Windex; I feel they've been supplanted, especially the latter - too small for the weight.
I like the depth of the spool; my line managing isn't what it should be, and I think that wide, deep spool is going to make life a lot more tranquil in a side-wind.
The more I look at this reel, the more I like it.
Now then, who's going to own up to risking a tenner on one of those Theseus Shadowlanda jobs, and earn our undying gratitude by telling us what it's like?
The spool wobbles a bit; I think the handles don't quite balance. Nothing a file won't fix.( I mean the whole reel wobbles when spun fast. There's no play on the bearings).
Almost everything is held together by screws, which makes it easier to fettle than rivetted parts. The downside is that this applies to the drum, so a round-the-back special tangle is going to require a cross-headed screwdriver to be packed.
My normal "Thug" reels are the Geebee and the Windex; I feel they've been supplanted, especially the latter - too small for the weight.
I like the depth of the spool; my line managing isn't what it should be, and I think that wide, deep spool is going to make life a lot more tranquil in a side-wind.
The more I look at this reel, the more I like it.
Now then, who's going to own up to risking a tenner on one of those Theseus Shadowlanda jobs, and earn our undying gratitude by telling us what it's like?
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Jeff Woodhouse
Moaning Marlow Meldrew
This is looking great Alan and I can't wait to get my hands on mine, I'm literally salivating now!
Theseus Shadowlanda - no! Tell you why, I've always steered clear of centrepins with pins around forming the drum. Always prefer a solid aluminium frame. £10 for that and £36 for the Marco Cortesi - it's a no brainer because even £36 is nowt for a half-decent centrepin.
Theseus Shadowlanda - no! Tell you why, I've always steered clear of centrepins with pins around forming the drum. Always prefer a solid aluminium frame. £10 for that and £36 for the Marco Cortesi - it's a no brainer because even £36 is nowt for a half-decent centrepin.
S-Kippy
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Well I shall be very interested to see how this thing holds up in action because I cannot see how anybody can do a proper pin for that money. I'm prepared to be impressed but I have my reservations. Do report back after its had a few fish and a good dose of rain,grit and mud.
Sean Meeghan
Well-known member
I had a spin of a Shadowlandia in a shop and it was awful! The reel is made from cheap stampings and has a crude "hammered" finish. The reel spins OK, but the spindle flexes and the drum is held on by a crude looking plastc nut thingy.
One to avoid!
---------- Post added at 23:21 ---------- Previous post was at 23:15 ----------
Easy! The reel will have been sourced from China and the drum and backplate are die castings (you can see the grain) which have had minimal machining. Cost from the Chinese supplier? About a tenner. The only thing that can go wrong is the bearing and you can buy a replacement for a few quid if that happens.
One to avoid!
---------- Post added at 23:21 ---------- Previous post was at 23:15 ----------
Easy! The reel will have been sourced from China and the drum and backplate are die castings (you can see the grain) which have had minimal machining. Cost from the Chinese supplier? About a tenner. The only thing that can go wrong is the bearing and you can buy a replacement for a few quid if that happens.
Alan Tyler
Well-known member
Thanks, Gents, that's a tenner saved!
I really mustn't post in the evenings, the ol' brain simply isn't up to it... supplanted? My poor little Windex and GeeBees? Nevah!
They're my lake and leger reels, so they have sinking lines; I'd be a tit to load my new toy with anything but a well-polished floater - might even risk some of that hollow stuff. Is it still considered the bizz?
I really mustn't post in the evenings, the ol' brain simply isn't up to it... supplanted? My poor little Windex and GeeBees? Nevah!
They're my lake and leger reels, so they have sinking lines; I'd be a tit to load my new toy with anything but a well-polished floater - might even risk some of that hollow stuff. Is it still considered the bizz?
George387
Well-known member
well myself and Gary (bbamboo) were out on the tees today and I put my reel through its paces, Gary's has not turned up as yet, but both of us were impressed by how it handles and the overall construction and performance of it. It puts a lot more expensive centrepins I own to shame in some places, not many negative points with it at all and for £36 definately worth every penny.
I gave it a good old going with 51 Grayling and a chub with endless fish bumped off. See my blog for full details, as Im not writing it all out again!...lol
I gave it a good old going with 51 Grayling and a chub with endless fish bumped off. See my blog for full details, as Im not writing it all out again!...lol
elliottwaters
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I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Shakespeare Lincoln. Shop around and you can pick one up for under £50.
I have one and in my view it’s a better trotting reel that those retailing for two or three times the price. Had mine for several years now and it runs better than ever. It’s also got a side cast mechanism if (like me) you have never properly mastered Wallis casting and need a bit of additional distance. Only down side it has a lock but no ratchet which rules it out for ledgering.
I have one and in my view it’s a better trotting reel that those retailing for two or three times the price. Had mine for several years now and it runs better than ever. It’s also got a side cast mechanism if (like me) you have never properly mastered Wallis casting and need a bit of additional distance. Only down side it has a lock but no ratchet which rules it out for ledgering.
Jeff Woodhouse
Moaning Marlow Meldrew
My Marco Cortesi reel turned up about an hour ago.
Straight out of teh box and it turns freely, but sounded like it had a dry bearing. I've applied some light oil (Shimano) and a dabble of special grease, but it still sounds strange. Spins for around 40 seconds, but I reckon that will increase a little more yet. I'm not expecting a spin like my Kingpin, but that spool is a lot heavier and has more kenetic energy once it gets under way (if that's correct - you engineering sorts.)
Anyway, thing is, how much weight + float does it take to get it turning, that's the key and I reckon not too much, but will test later (raining right now). Still worrying me, that noise. It disappears when reel is vertical, it's only when it's on its back that it makes that noise. Any suggestions?
Just thinking, I've put it on a Daiwa Proteus, a low cost rod that works really well and TBH, if someone had given me this kit when I was a kid I'd have been over the moon. I must still be a kid because I am still over the moon. £36? Cheap as chips!
Straight out of teh box and it turns freely, but sounded like it had a dry bearing. I've applied some light oil (Shimano) and a dabble of special grease, but it still sounds strange. Spins for around 40 seconds, but I reckon that will increase a little more yet. I'm not expecting a spin like my Kingpin, but that spool is a lot heavier and has more kenetic energy once it gets under way (if that's correct - you engineering sorts.)
Anyway, thing is, how much weight + float does it take to get it turning, that's the key and I reckon not too much, but will test later (raining right now). Still worrying me, that noise. It disappears when reel is vertical, it's only when it's on its back that it makes that noise. Any suggestions?
Just thinking, I've put it on a Daiwa Proteus, a low cost rod that works really well and TBH, if someone had given me this kit when I was a kid I'd have been over the moon. I must still be a kid because I am still over the moon. £36? Cheap as chips!
George387
Well-known member
Jeff I did the same test yesterday whilst fishing with it to see what moved the drum and it was 3bb that started mine rolling, I took great delight in using it yesterday knowing it cost less than what I used to spend in a few days when I was a smoker.
'spool is a lot heavier and has more kenetic energy once it gets under way (if that's correct - you engineering sorts.)'
Yes that's fine..
I was talking to a bailiff on one of our club waters yesterday who has a couple of these and is really impressed - lots of 'bang for your buck' as they say, and he's a hard core centrepin user.
The noise is possibly a little too much 'float' in the bearing.
Mark
Yes that's fine..
I was talking to a bailiff on one of our club waters yesterday who has a couple of these and is really impressed - lots of 'bang for your buck' as they say, and he's a hard core centrepin user.
The noise is possibly a little too much 'float' in the bearing.
Mark
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Jeff Woodhouse
Moaning Marlow Meldrew
Got the rear piece off and someone has given the bearing a bit of a whack (sorry for the technical engineering terminology
) on one side. I'm sure that's what's causing my noise.Had a look and bearing are quite expensive, aren't they? Over a tenner each for stainless steel ones.
This will do for now, it's only when you spin it hard that you hear it grinding. In normal use it will be whisper quiet, I'm sure.
I don't expect the anodising is that great on these, but how many times do I use a centrepin anyway? Just have to keep it clean and polished, I guess. I'm looking forward to giving it a go now!
Hi Jeff
Just out of my own interest is there a number on the bearings? (typically starts with a 6) and are there any letters after the number?
I think that you've got a bargain and you'll get a lot of use from this reel, the bearings will be under so little load that it doesn't matter.
I sense that there's an air of disbelief at the price of these reels, there is a thread on BFW discussing 'entry level' centrepins (this reel included) which pretty much reflects what has been said here.
Mark
Just out of my own interest is there a number on the bearings? (typically starts with a 6) and are there any letters after the number?
I think that you've got a bargain and you'll get a lot of use from this reel, the bearings will be under so little load that it doesn't matter.
I sense that there's an air of disbelief at the price of these reels, there is a thread on BFW discussing 'entry level' centrepins (this reel included) which pretty much reflects what has been said here.
Mark
Jeff Woodhouse
Moaning Marlow Meldrew
No, there's no number stamped on them, but I measured them with a vernier caliper thingy and the internal is 7mm, external 14mm and thickness 5mm.
These are some that I found. A bit OTT perhaps.
Then again, these would probably do as good if push came to shove.
These are some that I found. A bit OTT perhaps.
Then again, these would probably do as good if push came to shove.
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If you want to change the bearings, find a trade supplier something like Brammer UK (yellow pages) in subtropical Buckinghamshire and take the'old' bearings to them - just to confirm the size.
You can get these bearings on ebay for 0.99p - but who knows where they originated?
Mark
You can get these bearings on ebay for 0.99p - but who knows where they originated?
Mark
