for the last few years, i've been fixing reels at a clip of about 100 a month. i get quite a variety. it's fun because i learn something from every reel that i crack open. after getting grease on the dining room table, my wife banished me to the garage. the set up is definitely not fancy, but it works for me.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/0/1_06_03_09_5_09_23_1.jpeg)
the way it works is like this.... star drag reels are $15-30 to service and take 15 minutes to a half hour.
(http://www.yourfishpictures.com/data/500/medium/102_0512.JPG)
lever drag reels are $40-60 and take 40 minutes to an hour.
(http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCN6090.JPG)
then add the cost of parts and return shipping. the service charge is higher if the reel is badly corroded or requires some special work but will not exceed the ranges above unless i call you first. most are very straight forward, but it's not uncommon to have to take a two speed lever drag reel apart 4-5 times to dial it in just perfectly. snapping the head off of a corroded side plate screw can take another half hour to drill out and retap. i'm sure that anyone that has worked on a badly corroded reel can relate.
(http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/DSCN4486.JPG)
basic spinning reels are a little different. penn spinners are no problem. the newer high priced shimano and daiwa reels are a nightmare. they can take several hours to go through properly, so i do not accept them for service unless it's a simple drag upgrade only. for top drag spinners, it takes 3 seconds to pop out the old drag washers, match them up with carbon fiber washers that i have in stock, then reinstall the new greased washers. service for a basic spinner is $15-30. a simple drag upgrade is done for just the cost of the drag washers.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/0/1_17_03_09_10_44_02.jpeg)
to get a reel out to me, first please send me a pm or e-mail to make sure it is a reel that i can work on. for shipping, i recommend a priority mail. a single reel can be shipped within california for $5. for multible reels, get a flat rate box from the us postal service. the standard box is $10.35 (11x8.5x5.5)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/0/1_17_03_09_10_38_50_0.jpeg)
and the large box is $13.95. (12x12x5.5)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/0/1_17_03_09_10_38_50_1.jpeg)
insurance is optional. i have a drop box on this end so shipping is pretty secure. please do not require that the package be signed for. if i'm not home, i have to drive all the way out the post office to pick it up. i like shipping via usps rather than ups or fedex. if you mess with the us mail, you don't go to county court, you go to federal court. and when you're convicted, you don't go to county jail, you go to federal penn. it's pretty stupid to mess with the us mail!
my address is 12362 ted court, saratoga, ca 95070 and my cell # is 408-219-1149. e-mail me first at alantani@yahoo.com or send a pm here. when you ship the reel, please include your return into and phone #, and a copy of the e-mail or pm conversation that we had. i will generally call before shipping a reel back, just to make sure i did not forget to address any particular issues. and most importantly, if you need the reel back by a particular date, please write the "shipped on ....." date and the "please return by ...." date on the OUTSIDE of the box. the line of boxes right now is half of what you see here, but that can change in an afternoon.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/0/1_06_03_09_5_09_22_0.jpeg)
any reel send it in will get greased carbon fiber drag washers if it does not have them already. any corroded bearings will be replaced. remember that bearings cost $8-20 each and some lever drag reels have 6 bearings. when the reel is shipped back, please go through it, make sure it works and then send me a check in the return envelope that will be send out with the bill. afterwards, i seriously need you guys to let me know it you ever have problems with the reel. if there is a problem, i HAVE to know. drag washers are guaranteed forever. that's how good the greased carbon fiber drag washers are. if there are any other problems with the reel even years down the line, it will be fixed for just the cost of parts and return shipping. you will not be dinged for another service charge.
oh, and before you ship your reel out, please do not peel off the old fishing line. i need line on the reel to do the final check on the drag settings. if you want me to have it spooled up, i can have my local tackle shop do that and add the cost to the bill. thanks! alan
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Alan, Reading through some of your posts, I think I have read you suggesting having new reels "serviced" to have them last longer and perform better. Yes? Does this new reel prep lengthen the time between services or possibly eliminate them altogether on a lightly used reel? How much do you charge for these services? How backed up are you currently? I am currently searching for a good price on 4 or 5 Tekota 800's, so I may be interested in having them "prepped", including the handle upgrade, in the very near future. Thanks.
i've got about 60 reels in line right now. most are two speed lever drags that take an hour each. and i'll be on vacation next week with the kids.
the tekotas take up to a half hour each (depending on their condition), so service is $20-30 per reel, add $17 for a carbontex drag washer set and $27 for a new handle grip. there are three bearings that i hope are in good shape, because they are $10-12 each. add $11 for return shipping and it will add up quick. i am working on a tekota rebuild tutorial. it's something you should look at before shipping these reels to me. you might consider servicing them yourself. i'll be back from vacation on the 17th. if you wish to have me look at them, please ship them after that time. meanwhile, take a look at this.....
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=277.0
thanks! alan
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Alan - I've enjoyed reading your posts about reel maintenance and improvement, and have gotten the impression that you sometimes perform upgrades on other folks' reels. If I'm on target, can you advise me on the approximate cost of having you perform an upgrade (including a new handle, drag components, and whatever else you recommend) on a TLD 25? Thanks. Jim
uggghhhhhh! this is the worst one. so here goes. it's $40 for service, $19 for the drag washer, $37 for a handle with a 4/0 grip or $43 for a handle with a 6/0 grip (recommended), $2 for belleville and pressure plate washers and return shipping of $11. bearings are $12 each and there are 4 of them, so let's hope the bearings are in good shape. here's the post for shipping and service. http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=277.0 let me know what you decide to do. alan
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Alan - thanks for your quick and thorough reply. I'm headed out of town for a week and will decide during that time what I'm gonna do - will get back to you. Jim
Hi alan i just joined and would like you to upgrade 2 of my my reels and service 5 more. I would like my accurates ( boss 270 & 870 2 speed models) serviced and the accusleeves installed and also 4 saltigas and one abu garcia revo toro.Please Tell me if u have time for this as my trip is on MAY 28,2011.
Thanks you
contact jim nomura http://alantani.com/index.php?action=profile;u=2132 he will be able to take care of these easily. i've gotten a little backed up, more family stuff that fishing stuff. if that doesn't work out, go ahead and send them out and make sure you write the "return by" date on the outside of the box. alan
I can help on the saltigas and revo if in a time crunch.. ::)
-Aaron
Alan, Hi, just enrolled in this great site. First I have a new Penn Torque 100 and I want you to deflower it first. Then I have this Shimano Trinidad 16
for about 2 years and used it a few times. Still works great, but I want you to go through it.
Second, I leave in bay area close to you in Saratoga, can I drop them in your lap myself and save a few in shipping?
How much would it be to upgrade my drag system on a 14/0 Penn Senator to A Carbon Drag System? After the upgrade how much drag will the 14/0 produce?
it takes a #6-895 under the main gear ($2.10), seven #6-117's ($30.45) and a set of metal washers ($13.80), plus $20-30 for service, and $20-30 for round trip shipping. first, check to see if you have carbon fiber drag washers already. if so, you would need only the $2.10 #6-895 drag washer and some cal's grease to service the reel yourself. worst case, you can send it here in a zip lock. interested in cracking it open yourself? alan
Have a go William, you'll never look back.
It's addictive, though!
Next thing you'll be ordering SS gear sleeves and handle upgrades... ;D
PS You could expect 35-40# of drag pressure, but it'll be smoother and more reliable under load than the stock set up.
All the best, Justin
Alan, I bought a used SA40. it runs smooth under low drag but feels jerky (gear to gear grinding) under high drag pressure. However, if I apply pressure on spool, it is smooth again. Do I have a bad gear? Will you service it?
yes, go ahead and send it out. if i can't get to it, prehaps bryan or jim can (hope that's ok). thanks! alan
hi I have 2 avets 402s I would like them looked over top to bottom full service replace whatever needed would also like a little more drag were do I send them
tazzman,
Alan is in Mexico on a fishing trip right now. his right hand man. Bryan Young is in Charge until he gets back. Alan's address is displayed earlier in this post. You better make sure its OK to send them first from him or Bryan.
Oh, By the way. Welcome! ;D
thanks for the heads up
can you work on a stella 1000fa--an upgrade the drags??
On the first page, Alan says he does not accept the newer spinners for service because they are so time consuming, unless its the drag upgrade only. There is another gent on here named Handi2 that might be able to help you out. Here is a link to his profile, so you can send him a PM.
http://alantani.com/index.php?action=profile;u=7812
the drags are easy! here's the schematic http://fish.shimano.com/media/fishing/SAC/techdocs/en/Spinning/03STL1000FA_v1_m56577569830646550.pdf and here is the link for drag washers http://smoothdrag.com/price.html. you can get the carbontex drags and cal's grease at smoothdrag. for work on the reel itself, check with any of the guys here, or contact shimano for prices.
Whats your turn around time. I have a penn 10/0 i just got that i would like serviced and ht100 drag kit installed. Thank you for your time
right now it's down to a couple of weeks!!!!! i may actually have time to go fishing. i'll send you a pm.
Thank you
brandon, let's do this. get in touch with daron, aka shark hunter. he's actually set up better to service these than i am. big penns are his specialty.
pick him up here. http://alantani.com/index.php?action=profile;u=10121
Will do thanks alan this site is amazing
Hi Alan,
I noticed it's been some time since someone last posted on this thread. Are you still servicing reels? If so, do you have a rough turnaround and price estimate on a basic cleaning/lube of a Tekota 500LC?
Thanks!
David
Hi David,
We are still servicing reels, and we are very thankful to be giving the privilege to do so as well.
Note, in addition to the basic cleaning and lubrication, we will ALWAYS install greased carbon fiber drag washers if your reel does not come with them and install spring loaded anti-reverse pawl system if Abu-style pawls are used, if possible.
Thank you,
Bryan
star drag reels are $20-40 for service, which mostly depends on the amount of corrosion and how many bearings there are to deal with. then add the cost of part and return shipping. send a pm and i can get my address to you. thanks a million!!!!!!
You still upgrading and serving reels for non competent people??????
Quote from: alantani on January 27, 2015, 11:22:18 PM
star drag reels are $20-40 for service, which mostly depends on the amount of corrosion and how many bearings there are to deal with. then add the cost of part and return shipping. send a pm and i can get my address to you. thanks a million!!!!!!
I rate my fees in the same way. A reel that is highly corroded and time consuming just to get apart will be more costly. When reels come in that are well taken care of, come apart as expected, will cost less. The owner gets rewarded this way.
I do hundreds of spinning reels each year and some of them like the Stella take much more time than the Tiagra conventional reel. Especially the small Stella reels.
Quote from: pjstevko on December 16, 2015, 01:44:45 AM
You still upgrading and serving reels for non competent people??????
Yes we are...and glad to be of service.
Alan,
I would like to send you the following Four (4) reels for (a) Cleaning/Service, (b) Lube (c) Drag upgrade and replacement of any defective/damaged parts;
2@ Newell S229-5
2@ Daiwa Saltist 40
All Four (4) were purchased used, and have never been opened by me.
Please advise, fordfox@aol.com
send an email, thanks!!!!!!
Penn Fathom 15 star drag.
Out of the box and brand new, the free spool was lousy. A spin of the spool would result in that spool coming to an abrupt stop after spinning 2-3 seconds......Not a gradual slow down and stop.
Used the reel twice and casting a 1 1/2oz Kroc on a 7' rod with 15# line, resulted in the lure dying in mid flight and falling straight down.
Took it apart (major mistake) and it's WAY to complicated for me to reassemble.
I bagged up all the parts and want to know if you will accept this reel for whatever service it needs to get the free spool right and reassemble?........
I don't have the invoice and am not concerned with any warranty claims.
My window for return time is about 3 to 4 weeks.
Thank you,
Dale Clark
Bryan, anybody, can you help Dale? Joy busted off the key in the door of our apartment here in Paris. I'm sitting here in this stairwell waiting for the building manager while they shop. Somebody get me back to Italy.
Quote from: alantani on July 14, 2016, 06:05:17 PM
Bryan, anybody, can you help Dale? Joy busted off the key in the door of our apartment here in Paris. I'm sitting here in this stairwell waiting for the building manager while they shop. Somebody get me back to Italy.
😂😂😂😂😂
Sorry Alan, it sounds funny.
Dale, I'll send you a PM.
Hi Alan,
Need your help. I have an old Stella 10000FA in very good condition. I had picked it up second hand three years back & have been using it without any problems till date. I have caught several big GT's without any issue. Only now , when I tried to sell it , did the prospective owner point out that it has excessive play (3/16")in the rotor shaft. Could be because of worn worm gears , pawls or pinion gears. I stay close by in Sunnyvale. Can you take a look & resolve this issue. Time is not an issue here.
Regards
Pratap Nair ( Cavalier)
Swing by and I'll take a look. I'll send a pm.
Thanks Alan, presently out of the country. Will drop by on return.
regards
Pratap Nair
Hi Alan: I have a Valiant 300 Accurate single speed reel that has been only trouble. After a few uses for flounder in Mid Atlantic area, it locked up (as two other Valiants did for fellow fisherman of the group at about the same time). Sent it for repair and came back, did not use it for a year and only used 2 weeks ago when locked up again. Just talked with the accurate C.S and got the same song and dance o salt and sand. Cant believe it after 2 hours of use. I am interested on having an independent look to simply satisfy my curiosity, and of course to get it repaired. I would be very appreciative if you would accept it.
Quote from: mispiretaluis on June 21, 2018, 04:45:39 PM
Hi Alan: I have a Valiant 300 Accurate single speed reel that has been only trouble. After a few uses for flounder in Mid Atlantic area, it locked up (as two other Valiants did for fellow fisherman of the group at about the same time). Sent it for repair and came back, did not use it for a year and only used 2 weeks ago when locked up again. Just talked with the accurate C.S and got the same song and dance o salt and sand. Cant believe it after 2 hours of use. I am interested on having an independent look to simply satisfy my curiosity, and of course to get it repaired. I would be very appreciative if you would accept it.
yeesh, sorry to hear that you've had so much trouble. i'm pretty swamped, but i'm happy to take a look. i'll send you an email. thanks!!!!! alan
Quote from: alantani on June 21, 2018, 06:28:11 PM
Quote from: mispiretaluis on June 21, 2018, 04:45:39 PM
Hi Alan: I have a Valiant 300 Accurate single speed reel that has been only trouble. After a few uses for flounder in Mid Atlantic area, it locked up (as two other Valiants did for fellow fisherman of the group at about the same time). Sent it for repair and came back, did not use it for a year and only used 2 weeks ago when locked up again. Just talked with the accurate C.S and got the same song and dance o salt and sand. Cant believe it after 2 hours of use. I am interested on having an independent look to simply satisfy my curiosity, and of course to get it repaired. I would be very appreciative if you would accept it.
yeesh, sorry to hear that you've had so much trouble. i'm pretty swamped, but i'm happy to take a look. i'll send you an email. thanks!!!!! alan
Curious about the outcome, if any. I have a bv300 for with the drag lever got quite stiff and the overall smoothness suffered after 4 or 5 day trips. When I sent it in for the free service, they replaced both ARB's plus 6 bearings and the tension cam. That is all well and good when it is free service, but that is going to cost $50 with shipping on a yearly basis on my dime. Of more concern is it needing such service more than once a season, as i won't have it to use while it is in for service, and it will double the yearly cost. As this was a new reel for me, I took significantly better care to rinse it and wipe it down than my other reels, which seem to not have have suffered as much from the salt, so I am wondering how to minimize the issue. They are all sealed bearings so "pull them out and pack them with grease" seems like a start I am not terribly concerned with free spool as I use it mostly for tog.
The other approach is to replace everything with ceramic bearings. Wondering if anyone found an approach that works?
Now that it is back up to snuff, maybe I will send it for "pre-treatment".
the last of a mixed box of reels. the squall is interesting. on the outsides of the left spool bearing and the pinion support bearing, are thrust bearings. i mention this because this is the exact design that we talked about years ago. people have suggested taking the shortcut of a single angular contact bearing on either side, but i've found that to just not work. the angular contact bearing is basically a lousy radial bearing and a lousy thrust bearing, all rolled into one. the real answer to the "side load" problem with lever drag reels is go with separate radial bearings and separate thrust bearing, just like the arrangement that you find in the squall. penn did it right!
Quote from: alantani on November 26, 2018, 05:00:57 AM
the last of a mixed box of reels. the squall is interesting. on the outsides of the left spool bearing and the pinion support bearing, are thrust bearings. i mention this because this is the exact design that we talked about years ago. people have suggested taking the shortcut of a single angular contact bearing on either side, but i've found that to just not work. the angular contact bearing is basically a lousy radial bearing and a lousy thrust bearing, all rolled into one. the real answer to the "side load" problem with lever drag reels is go with separate radial bearings and separate thrust bearing, just like the arrangement that you find in the squall. penn did it right!
Hi Alan
I have a couple of reels that need to be serviced . One is a small Avet that just seems way too rough and the other is a Shimano TLD25 that works when it wants even though it's hardly been used. The 1st Shimano fail I've ever had. Just a few ???. Do you still do repairs and an idea as to what cost would be? And turnaround time even though it's not an issue. I have more gear than I can use.
Thanks
Bill
I've got about 200 reels in line right now. I'll send you a pm.
Quote from: alantani on February 06, 2019, 01:36:12 PM
I've got about 200 reels in line right now. I'll send you a pm.
So day after tomorrow? ;D
-g