tld star 15/30 and 20/40

[jayde561]

I have 2 questions about the TLD star. One, does anyone know the nut size for the handle? Matching the threads seems to be a bit difficult. Second if anyone has used a Trinidad or Torium handle on their TLD Star which nut retainer did you use? The factory Trinidad one seems to be a touch larger than the TLD star factory nut.

[seagipsy]

 jayde561 I just replaced a few 15/30 handles with Torium handles TGT0604, plates TGT0603  and nuts TGT0262. The stock 15/30 set screws work fine. Nice upgrade. I missed out on an upgraded 15/30 for a good price on another forum.  I msg the seller and he passed on the info. Hope this helps.

Cheers

[Cor]

Most of these generation reels handles seem to fit. I have had to re drill and tap handle nut plate screws in the past.   Replace the plastic nut retainer with the flat metal ones.

https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=17.msg295511#msg295511

[ez2cdave]

I did some EDITING to my posts and here is the 2024 version, for all to enjoy !

Tight Lines !

Dave F.


This is Alan's EXCELLENT Tutorial, in easy to download, save, and share PDF files !

[Drisse]

Thanks for the responses.

The reel was used only thrice by the guy who gave it to me. He waded quite deep left the reel unattended to for a while which caused the washers to get seized together, which were subsequently replaced.
The gears look fine, no signs of corrosion. I've grease it as much as possible but the sound persists.
The drive shaft that the drive gear and all the washers go on to is quite "wobbly" before putting the gears and washers on to it. Is this normal.
The drive shaft is held in place with the little clip that slide over the bottom end of the shaft with a washer just beneath the clip. Is there anything missing there perhaps.

The sound is audible when you turn on the handle, you don't feel it when turning but the sound is there.
It's not excessive, should i ignore it? I'm just used a really smooth sound on my reels.

Thanks for the help guys.

Read a little in this old thread. I had a couple of TLD 20/40 in for service. Some of them had a grinding sound like the gears were bad. But it was the main gear touching the anti-reverse dog. The little drag washer between the anti-reverse ratchet and the main gear was compressed and worn out.

I noticed that you mentioned the washers was replaced. So this is just a tip for future use if anyone have grinding sound on their TLD 15/30 or 20/40.

[alantani]

thanks!!!

[jzumi]

Thanks for the responses.

The reel was used only thrice by the guy who gave it to me. He waded quite deep left the reel unattended to for a while which caused the washers to get seized together, which were subsequently replaced.
The gears look fine, no signs of corrosion. I've grease it as much as possible but the sound persists.
The drive shaft that the drive gear and all the washers go on to is quite "wobbly" before putting the gears and washers on to it. Is this normal.
The drive shaft is held in place with the little clip that slide over the bottom end of the shaft with a washer just beneath the clip. Is there anything missing there perhaps.

The sound is audible when you turn on the handle, you don't feel it when turning but the sound is there.
It's not excessive, should i ignore it? I'm just used a really smooth sound on my reels.

Thanks for the help guys.

Read a little in this old thread. I had a couple of TLD 20/40 in for service. Some of them had a grinding sound like the gears were bad. But it was the main gear touching the anti-reverse dog. The little drag washer between the anti-reverse ratchet and the main gear was compressed and worn out.

I noticed that you mentioned the washers was replaced. So this is just a tip for future use if anyone have grinding sound on their TLD 15/30 or 20/40.

Are you talking about the drag shaft washer TGT # 0100?  If so, I'm trying to remember if it is included in the Carbontex replacement kit for this reel from SmoothDrag.  I keep all the old drag washers I replace, so maybe I can find an old, non-overly compressed one...

Thanks!

[Drisse]

Jzumi, yes TGT0100 👍

[jcrowe8]

Hi All, greetings from the UK!

I've just picked up a second-hand Japan-made TLD Star 15/30s from eBay for £45 ($59 USD).  It's in good condition and seemingly well-maintained, so I feel like I've got a good deal.  I intend to use the reel for general light boat fishing in the UK twinned with a 12-20lb class rod. The most it will have to cope with is perhaps a running Tope (if I am lucky!)... so judging by the comments on the strength of this reel already posted in this thread, I am sure it will take this in its stride.

I intend to complete the drag washer and bearing upgrades, having stripped, cleaned and rebuilt the reel with all the correct lubricants.  However, I had some questions about my particular example:

1) - The free spool lever had been reversed (see attached image), which I would put down to a mistake when a previous owner was reassembling the reel, but I've seen it on an old Penn I bought too.  I just wanted to know if there is any legitimate reason someone might want to do this.

As it was, it was causing an issue similar to what yakfisher described much earlier in this thread; Once you re-engaged the free-spool lever, turning the handle was stiff and created a grinding noise with no drive until there was eventually a loud clunk and it engaged (or you could hold the spool in place with your thumb and turn the handle and this would trigger the 'clunk').  In my case, this was because the reversed free-spool lever meant the cam inside pushing the plate down to disengage the pinion gear was in the wrong position and never fully re-engaged.  It must have only been the strength of the two springs, eventually pushing the plate back up, that allowed the pinion to engage.

Anyway... I've turned the lever back around which adjusted the cam position and that problem has been completely resolved.

2) - Every other star drag multiplier I own automatically re-engages from free-spool when you turn the handle, but this reel does not - It requires you to manually flip the lever.  Is this correct, or is an issue that can be resolved?

3) - Finally, the handle... The handle on my 15/30  (see attached images) does not match any other picture I have seen of 15/30 handles, so I guess it's been added as a replacement or 'upgrade' from another reel.  Does anyone recognise this handle pattern? With the t-shaped knob and "beehive" counterweight, it seems pretty distinctive. It also looks like there is a choice of two positions to fit the handle (based on the holes in the stem itself), potentially giving the handle a longer throw and greater cranking power. Any insight anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Overall, I am very pleased with the reel and look forward to the upgrade process and getting it fishing!


Thanks all!

[Swami805]

Those reels don't have auto engage as far as I know. The handle looks like an older torium handle

[jcrowe8]

Does anyone recognise this handle pattern? With the t-shaped knob and "beehive" counterweight, it seems pretty distinctive.

I think I've identified the handle as from a Pen 525 Mag 1.

[Cor]

I was trying to come up with the 525 mag, memory chips very slow here

I can think of no reason why I would turn the Culch lever around like that, put it the correct way around and the reason should become apparent, if not, ...good!

This reel should give you plenty good use still.

[alantani]

yup, the freespool lever is backwards, there is no auto-engage mechanism, and the handle originally came from a penn reel.  as long as it fits, you should be fine.  still an awesome reel!!! 

[jcrowe8]

Hi All,

Ok, so I've swapped the brass bushing for the equivalent bearing (from which I removed the shield from and oiled with ReelX). But after putting it back together there is now a grinding noise coming from that end plate when the spool spins. This reduces if I slacken off the spool tensioner, but is still there slightly.

It sounds as though the spool itself is dragging on the frame, as though a spacer is missing and so allowing the spool to sit too far over and rub on something.

Any thoughts or ideas great appreciated.

[ez2cdave]

I'm STILL HERE - LOL !

Tight Lines !

Dave F.