Using the Hedgehog pin remover

Killerbug · August 19, 2011, 07:34:50 AM

Just wanted to share my first experience with the Hedgehog pin remover. This little handy tool, is a piece of first grade Japanese engineering, made to safely remove spool bearing pins with a minimum risk, of damaging the spool shaft.

This is how the tool look like, it comes with a list of supported reel models, as well as a step by step written instruction in japanese.

In this little example I will remove the pin from the Okuma Akena baitcaster, a pretty straight forward procedure, as the pin can be pulled out both ways
on this model.

The pin remover has two bars to push with, both driven by a tread. One for pushing the pin halfway trough the shaft, and a thinner part for pushing the pin out of the shaft.

First i pushed the pin half way using the thick part of the bar, a little grease on the tip of the bar will ease up the stress absorbed by the pin.

The next step is using the thin side of the bar to push the pin trough the shaft. No force at all is required, it pops right out when turning the handle.

To reinsert the pin again, use the thick bar, and push the pin right back.

Please beware that different reel models, uses different types of pins. Some brands use conical shaped pins, but I guess most in here are aware of that. The Hedgehog pin remover, is a neat little tool that makes pin removing a joy, and can be found in Japan for about 38 $.

I have not tested this tool yet on other baitcasters than the Akena, but I will keep you posted is i find any issues with the tool.

Regards, and tight lines, or "Knæk og Bræk" as we say over here.

Irish Jigger · August 19, 2011, 09:02:07 AM

Thank's Killerbug for a great post and description of this beautifully engineered tool in action. The only reference I'd previously seen was in the link here.

http://www.japantackle.com/Tuning_parts/Change_spool_bearing.htm

reel bob · August 19, 2011, 01:57:58 PM

....and there also on eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spool-exchange-tool-pin-puller-DAIWA-SHIMANO-Abu-/280725184521?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415c866009

redsetta · August 21, 2011, 09:48:02 PM

Cheers Killerbug - great post.
All the best, Justin

Killerbug · August 21, 2011, 10:37:03 PM

Thanks for your positive feedbacks. I bought the pin remover at Plat, an extraordinary well assorted Japanese tackleshop, with a lot of exclusive saltwater stuff as well as Japanese reels.

http://www.plat.co.jp

CapeFish · August 22, 2011, 06:52:34 AM

Hmm can't see a thing, only the imageshack frog, same for other posts, do you guys perhaps know how to fix this problem, I am having the same problem on other sites $:-\$ $:-\$

broadway · September 01, 2011, 11:43:01 PM

I've ordered from Plat.com and they ship very quickly for being over seas... thanks for the heads Killerbug!
Dom

aus bass · November 09, 2011, 11:20:10 AM

Just ordered my Spool Pin removal tool from Plat. Lets see if they can ship to Australia....

Aussie dollar is strong so total cost should be down.

alantani · November 10, 2011, 09:05:10 AM

well, after this i'm gonna have to get one!

coastalobsession · November 11, 2011, 12:14:07 PM

Quote from: alantani on November 10, 2011, 09:05:10 AM
well, after this i'm gonna have to get one!

X2 on that!!!

aus bass · December 06, 2011, 03:00:32 AM

Just received my pin removal tool from Plat. I ordered it on the 9th Nov and they advised me that they had sold out but were expecting a new shipment on the 25th Nov. it is the 6th Dec now so shipping from Japan took only 6 business days. Pretty impressive little tool. Smaller than i thought in real life however.

will test it out tonight on my Abu Revo inshore (will be careful of the pin direction of course). Will let you guys know.

Pro Reel · December 06, 2011, 01:54:14 PM

It's an impresive little tool and similar in design to what I have always thought we needed, which is something that can give an even force straight down on the pin. The only flaw i have heard so far is that it doesn't work or at least not well on many daiwa reels or other reels where the pin sits further back than the edges of the spool.

Nessie Hunter · December 06, 2011, 06:15:43 PM

Quote from: Pro Reel on December 06, 2011, 01:54:14 PM
It's an impresive little tool and similar in design to what I have always thought we needed, which is something that can give an even force straight down on the pin. The only flaw i have heard so far is that it doesn't work or at least not well on many daiwa reels or other reels where the pin sits further back than the edges of the spool.

That looks like an issue to me also?

?

I was lucky enough to get a ReelSpeed Pin removal tool..
Thing is awesome, and works perfectly IMHO...
Snap out, snap in like magic...
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=2510.0

.

Killerbug · December 06, 2011, 08:15:00 PM

I have used it since i posted this tread, and I have no issues to report. I have only used it on tree Daiwas, all where Lunas.

The advantage is that the Hedgehoq is very gentle towards the spindle, the disadvantage is that it will not stand up to daily use on large rusty sea reels. I see the Hedgehog as a completion to other tools, especially if you have to work on very expensive reels.

inhotpursuit · December 31, 2011, 03:11:58 AM

Hi Morten i recieved a tool last and was suprised how small it is ,i was changing out a bearing on the spool of a okuma citrix which was really tight, i found that the threads on the hedgehog are not long enough and towards the end of the removal the pin was still stiff and wrecked the last 3 threads on the body of the tool . my tool is red in color and was made by squat precision in japan, have you had any problems with yours since your last post