Centrepins

[nhs service]

It's obviously not fit for purpose.
Not a fan of the £30 Chinese specials. I bought an ikonix, more out of curiosity than anything else, within a few minutes of loading it with 10lb line I had to take it apart as the line had got behind the spool.
There is much discussion as to the price of bespoke centrepins but it is that precision engineering you are paying for.
Once available as standard from the much maligned British workman, take a look at the spool tolerances of a Rapidex or Trudex.
Of the modern pns, the Okuma Sheffield and Aventa Pro are imho the best, with the Greys Bewick, initially dividing opinion but is gaining a reputation as a good users pin out there on the bank where it matters.
worth a look.
All the best with your Dragon Carp issue.

 

[nol78]

I know a higher end reel will do the job better and last me a lifetime.
Recently bought a hardy marksman floatrod and thought a buy a cheaper reel for now, to help me get on the banks.
The plan is to save up for a better/higher end pin, this is just a reel to help me get by until i have enough to buy me one of those.

Afther reading about their costumer service i tought to get a save buy, saddly i was mistaken.

O well in the worst case i could buy a set of better bearings.

thanks for your reply's.

 

[thecrow]

O well in the worst case i could buy a set of better bearings.

If you can get the original ones out, they are more than likely pressed in.

---------- Post added at 10:25 ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 ----------

There is much discussion as to the price of bespoke centrepins but it is that precision engineering you are paying for.

Very close tolerances are fairly easily achievable nowadays and have been for some time by using CNC machines, while I can understand the high prices of some of the bespoke hand built ones others that are not hand built are imo overpriced and contribute to the "I use a centrepin" snobbery that has become prevalent in some circles.

I have recently purchased a TFG classic centrepin because I fancied doing something different, since purchasing it I have been looking on e bay at other used centrepins and I have noticed that some very similar looking reels were marketed with different names such as Rapidex, trudex and Flickem Perfection, anyone know why this was?

 

[nol78]

I just removed the bearings, very easy to do.
Switched them from top to bottom and the pin is a bit better now, wil check this evening on a rod with a float and some shot to see how it goes.

 

[thecrow]

I just removed the bearings, very easy to do.
Switched them from top to bottom and the pin is a bit better now, wil check this evening on a rod with a float and some shot to see how it goes.

Glad you were able to get the bearing out and hopefully it will be ok now.

 

[lutra]

Neither of my okuma pins were very free running when brand new. A few drops of sewing machine oil and a good spin made them much better. I think the bearings come with heavy grease in them.

 

[nol78]

I oiled the bearings with sewing machiene oil the first time out of the box, when i noticed that it did not spin that great.
Helped a little indeed, maybe thet are packed with heavy grease, will check that next.

 

[tigger]

Sometimes it's best to run ball race reels dry, oil can slow them down and it can take a bit of use and wiping off excess oil before they start to run really freely. My old sheffield runs great when oiled but the new Raw is best run dry. I've never bothered to look but maybe they have different bearings.

 

[Alan Tyler]

Nol, try flushing the bearings through with white spirit, then lighter fuel, then drying them off and re-oiling with the lightest oil you can find. The stuff inside them when they're shipped to Stout Cortesi for assembly is a bit treacly.

Crow, J.W.Youngs would badge up their reel for other distibutors, and give them different paint-jobs if asked - Sealey went for a black back-plate, pale greay drum and white plastic, but apart from that, a Freewinde is a large Seldex, and the Floatking is a Trudex.
Milwards bought brown Trudexes and sold them as "Floatcrafts", and the Milbro Pelican was another JWY job. There are probably lots more.

This was nothing new; if you've any wooden reels that don't bear the stamp of a great maker, the chances are that they were turned out by Reuben Heaton and badged up by the retailer. I think I read they were still turning out wooden reels in the nineteen-sixties!

 

[nhs service]

Sometimes pins need running in. More of an issue with what are called 'true' pins rather than bearing reels but perhaps the spool shaft is a micron or two wider in diameter than it should be.
Try spinning it for a while, usually done when watching the t.v. you may find it improves.
I can't think of a bearing reel I've owned that ever needed to be run in to any great extent, usually they are fine straight out of the box.
The used market is caveat emptor obviously but a good Adcock Stanton is worth looking out for, the new ones are ridiculously overpriced in my opinion.
I think J.W.Youngs badged the Trudex and Rapidex for other manufacturers and retailers. The Traditional Fishermans Forum has lots more information on the subject but I think essentially they are the same reels.

 

[thecrow]

Crow, J.W.Youngs would badge up their reel for other distibutors, and give them different paint-jobs if asked - Sealey went for a black back-plate, pale greay drum and white plastic, but apart from that, a Freewinde is a large Seldex, and the Floatking is a Trudex.
Milwards bought brown Trudexes and sold them as "Floatcrafts", and the Milbro Pelican was another JWY job. There are probably lots more.

I wonder if there was any price difference depending on what badge the reel had on it? I know it happens today (and in the past) with rods. thanks for the reply Alan.

 

[nol78]

Just got a reply from them, Great customer service if you ask me.
i don`t need a replacement anymore and buy a few bearings but read what they have to say:

Inbox - DragonCarp Customer Services
aan mij
11 minuten geleden

Details
Dear ...

Thank you for your reply.



I understand your views, however we have not had complaints regarding this item, and none have been returned to us.

If you feel that you no longer need the goods, you may return them at your own cost, to:

 

[mikench]

Ignore I am an idiot but I will try again! My new pin!



Indulge me as I try and master posting pics! iPads are not ideal!

 

[nol78]

Nice pin Mike.

 

[tigger]

Just got a reply from them, Great customer service if you ask me.
i don`t need a replacement anymore and buy a few bearings but read what they have to say:

Inbox - DragonCarp Customer Services
aan mij
11 minuten geleden

Details
Dear ...

Thank you for your reply.



I understand your views, however we have not had complaints regarding this item, and none have been returned to us.

If you feel that you no longer need the goods, you may return them at your own cost, to:

That reply stinks imo....with an attitude like that they deserve no trade!

 

[nol78]

The reels are cheap to begin with, so i wil survive.

Just the way they handle a customer with a valid complaint that is bothering me.

Posted the story on their own facebook page under a picture of the reel also.

https://www.facebook.com/dragoncarp...notif_t=photo_reply&notif_id=1484585283187679

 

[tigger]

Ignore I am an idiot but I will try again! My new pin!



Indulge me as I try and master posting pics! iPads are not ideal!

Nice reel Mike, but there's something missing ......you need some of these to make the pic

 

[seth49]

Ignore I am an idiot but I will try again! My new pin!



Indulge me as I try and master posting pics! iPads are not ideal!

If you click on preview post, you will see if your photos in your post before you submit reply
It's what I do,saves not having a photo in your post.

 

[thecrow]

Just got a reply from them, Great customer service if you ask me.
i don`t need a replacement anymore and buy a few bearings but read what they have to say:

Inbox - DragonCarp Customer Services
aan mij
11 minuten geleden

Details
Dear ...

Thank you for your reply.



I understand your views, however we have not had complaints regarding this item, and none have been returned to us.

If you feel that you no longer need the goods, you may return them at your own cost, to:

Tossers, if you were in this country they couldn't get away with it as its not fit for purpose I would get in touch with the nearest trading standards to them and explain what has gone on and see what they say, I certainly wouldn't let it lie.

 

[nol78]

Nice rod tigger, what version is it?

I have the 11ft float