Maxel II Reel Evaluation

Wwen · May 29, 2015, 10:32:52 PM

Hi guys,
I am not too knowledgable of reels. However, this site has acclerated my learning curve. Before, I thought opening up reels was reserved for like engineers or something. Anyways, I recently got a new reel. I opened it up and took some pics. I'd like y'all's opionion on this reel since you guys have probably seen a lot of them.

Here are what I observed (observations may be incorect

:

1)Stainless Steel Gears
2)Double Spring Loaded AR Dawgs
3)NO AR Bearing
4)Dual Carbon Fiber Drags
5)Stainless Steel Drag Plate
6) Strong looking Stainless Steel Pinion Gear?? Maybe?
7)Stainless Steel Bearings

Features of the reel I like:
1) Huge oversized T-bar Handle
2)Long Handle
3)Lots of torque
4)doule spring loaded AR Dawgs
5)Smooth Dual Drag
6)smooth Drag lever
7)Huge Line Capacity
8)Smooth but rigid
9)NO Binding at Any Drag (originally assembly error). no binding even with complete loss of free spool.
Dislikes:
1)heavy
2)Noisy spring loaded dogs (but definitely tolerable)

Backup link if pic don't work:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jc3liqjmg0a2n06/Photo%20May%2029%2C%205%2001%2002%20PM.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jc3liqjmg0a2n06/Photo%20May%2029%2C%205%2001%2002%20PM.jpg?dl=0

Wwen · May 30, 2015, 04:38:31 AM

If you need any other pics of a certain part feel free to ask. I'll try my best but if it gets too hairy idk.

MarkT · May 30, 2015, 04:41:38 AM

Looks solid to me. I think the Maxels have a good rep as jigging reels.

Wwen · May 30, 2015, 05:15:05 AM

Thanks for taking your time to look at all that.
Do you think there is anything in particular I should worry about failing?

Wwen · May 30, 2015, 06:20:34 PM

Added some dislikes and likes of the reel. And a peculiar binding problem I noticed. Not sure if this is typical binding or not.

MarkT · May 30, 2015, 06:37:44 PM

Binding at very high drag is normal... it probably means you're destroying the right sideplate pinion bearing!

Is this an import? I think the US version has a single drag due to Accurate's patent on a dual-drag.

Wwen · May 30, 2015, 07:22:25 PM

Quote from: MarkT on May 30, 2015, 06:37:44 PM
Binding at very high drag is normal... it probably means you're destroying the right sideplate pinion bearing!

Is this an import? I think the US version has a single drag due to Accurate's patent on a dual-drag.

Yes I think that is what is happening. The pinion gear is getting squished down really hard when this happens. However is like to know the precise drag at which this happens. However the peculiar thing about this binding is that it is only at a certain point in the entire crank. With my Avet HxJ Raptors binding would occur throughout the entire crank not just at one point.
Yes, this is an import. The two speed model is not avaible domestically. However, the single speed Maxel reel is. Both are avaible as dual drags. I am not sure how they bypassed Accurates copyright technology.

Wwen · June 02, 2015, 03:04:38 AM

Can anyone figure out this "binding" I have to decide by Thursday if I want to spool this reel or not!!

MarkT · June 02, 2015, 03:12:06 AM

Just don't go above 50# of drag! It's not like you'll be able to stay in the boat with that heavy of drag anyway.

Wwen · June 02, 2015, 03:54:26 AM

Lol. I know haha. I may have to be tied on to the boat. The 50lb Aj I caught this weekend put on a whopping. Hoping to catch a 100lber soon!

I was actually wondering why it binds like this. Instead of how the Avet binds. When the Avet binds, it is more difficult to turn the handle throughout the entire crank. The Maxel is only tougher to Crank for maybe 1/8 of the crank the rest of the 7/8 crank is smooth. Does this make any sense?

Wwen · June 02, 2015, 11:23:33 PM

I figured out the binding problem. The spool shaft screw was not tightened enough. I have tightened it more and there is no binding at all. Even with the cam turned all the ways up and complete loss of freespool and the drag at full there is no binding at all. Obviously would never fish like that. I think I'm going to give this reel a shot. Seems very similar to my buddies Jigging Master PE10. And the two speed shift is like the Penn Internationals according to Alan.
Should I remove the shields on the spool bearings for better free spool? Also am I supposed to dip the spool bearings in Corrison X or just supposed put a few drops on and then spin them?

Wwen · June 02, 2015, 11:24:53 PM

Also when you guys measure freespool is it when the drag cam is very loose or when it is at a high drag setting? Mines at loose drag setting is very good. At least above 35 sec. But at high drag settings it is not so good.

jonnou · June 06, 2015, 08:42:14 AM

Hi Wwen

You should set that drag and leave it set. set it so you have freespool (just) and then test with a spring scale. You should be getting somewhere near your desired drag here. If you put too much pressure on you can ruin the Bearings. Drag tension Knob should only be moved when in lever is in free position. These reels typically have a on hard or just about off sort of drag system. They are for stopping fish fast not enduring long runs. The Corrosion x or ts321 will soak in to these bearings with the shields on. There is a you tube clip of Jigging master service that you could follow. They are using Inox I think and I believe the red grease is inox mx8 which you can get in a spray can and is teflon based. Keep looking around this site. there are heaps of great tips and you need to find methods that suit you. In my opinion if you look after this reel it should work great for you. I like the two speed option great for the big ones with a long crank they wont stand a chance.
Best of luck Jon