Reel Repair by Alan Tani

For Sale => PRO Challenger Fishing Products by Alan Chui => Topic started by: Black Pearl on February 16, 2023, 02:10:12 AM

Title: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Black Pearl on February 16, 2023, 02:10:12 AM
I am looking for couple people to test out my new US113 offset handle.

Please let me know if anyone is interested.

Thanks,
Alan
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: steelfish on February 16, 2023, 02:31:58 AM
I have two Baja Special reels and as many here know are one of my favorites reels, I would be glad to test those new handles but I think my next fishing trip will be around middle or by the end of the next month, so, let me know if that works or if you need an opinion sooner maybe other member will jump on the opportunity
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Bill B on February 16, 2023, 02:39:53 AM
I would be glad to try it out, however my next scheduled trip is an 8 day in October.  There will be other trips until then just nothing scheduled.  I do have one of Alan Tani's 5/0 handle to mount on it.  Bill
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: El Pescador on February 16, 2023, 01:33:55 PM
Alan,

IF... your new offset handle TRYOUT for US113 reels or similar Dance Card is NOT full,

I'll be in Cabo next month, in mid-March, and I would love to try out your new product.

Then, I'll be back in Sitka, AK (on a family cruise) Halibut fishing in early Sept. and would use my Penn Baja Special I acquired from Dominick when Sal sent him the TANK.

Like Bill B., I have the same supplier for the Alan Tani 5/0 Handle I can mount on your offset handle.

If it works out GREAT, BUTT if not, no problem cause I'll BE OUT FISHING!!!!! :fish

Thanks so much,

Wayne
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Bill B on February 16, 2023, 07:48:53 PM
Alan, PM sent with the information requested.  Bill
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Black Pearl on February 16, 2023, 11:38:29 PM
Quote from: Bill B on February 16, 2023, 07:48:53 PMAlan, PM sent with the information requested.  Bill
I sent out the test handle this afternoon to your address. I just need the feedback on fitting and feel.

Thanks,
Alan
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Bill B on February 17, 2023, 12:24:26 AM
Quote from: Black Pearl on February 16, 2023, 11:38:29 PM
Quote from: Bill B on February 16, 2023, 07:48:53 PMAlan, PM sent with the information requested.  Bill
I sent out the test handle this afternoon to your address. I just need the feedback on fitting and feel.

Thanks,
Alan

10-4
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Bill B on February 22, 2023, 09:59:59 PM
I received Alan Chui's early prototype handle blade for the US113/Baja Special for evaluation.  Specifically the fit of the blade to the gear sleeve.  But since I am here I will give some overall dimensions.

Handle Blade
PC= 4 1/4"
Penn= 3 7/8"
The PC handle is 3/8" longer.  The additional length will come in handy.

Thickness
PC= .16"
Penn= .15"
The PC is .01" thicker.  The gear sleeve handle mounting threads are pretty slim from the factory and I believe Cortez Conversions has addressed this issue with their after market bridge assembly.  When I mounted the PC blade on the stock gear sleeve I could not visually tell that it was thicker.  So I feel this will not be an issue.

Mounting Hole
PC= .30 square
Penn= .30 square.
Equal in dimensions.  Now my digital calipers only measure to the hundredths.  But the PC handle fit tighter than the Penn.

Knob Mounting Hole
The handle shaft mounting screw was a good fit for Alan Tani's 5/0 grip.  However mine has a nipple that mounts inside the blade and will not fit in the PC blade without drilling.

Material
PC= Anodized aluminum offset
Penn= Stainless steel flat

Overall impressions
In the pictures you may see an oval cutout on the handle mounting hole, as I said earlier this is an early prototype to test the fit to the gear sleeve. The oval did not affect the test fit but would not fly on the production blade.

The PC handle's longer length and offset will be welcomed.  The anodizing looked good with good color saturation and coverage.  With the 4.3:1 gear ratio of the US Senator time will tell if the aluminum handle blade will stand up to heavy loads generated by winching gulf groupers off the reef.  As an early prototype this is pretty good.  Bill

Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Black Pearl on February 22, 2023, 10:14:16 PM
Hi Bill,

The oval area will be filled in the final product. We might use a thicker aluminum. Let me check with my resource on that.

Thanks you for your help.
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Bill B on February 23, 2023, 12:35:06 AM
Alan not sure if I would go thicker on the blade.  The stock Penn gear sleeve is kind of short when it goes through the handle as it is.  Now maybe if there was an aftermarket gear sleeve with a longer gear sleeve then thicker would be ok.  Bill
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: steelfish on February 23, 2023, 01:50:35 AM
hello guys, I also received Alan's prototype handle for the mighty Penn Baja Special reel = US 113 Senator reel for test the fitting on the sleeve.
as you know English is not my 1st language so bear with me on my explanation of my findings.

nice form and really good anodizing
 
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214501-377351503.jpeg)

(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214500-377331958.jpeg)


check the size difference on the handle prototype and the stock one
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214500-37733463.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214500-377312028.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214456-37721861.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214455-377212342.jpeg)


the fitting is pretty good, it just have a minimal play but necessary to install and uninstall the handle when necessary without much problem
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214459-377311574.jpeg)

in this picture with the light of the flash you can see the hair size space between the handle hole and the sleeve diameter
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214459-377302311.jpeg)


the SS Sleeve from Tom has a bit more of thread than the factory sleeve so, this handle still left some "meat" thread for the nut to give a pretty secure hold
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214458-377291545.jpeg)


this is how it looks the handle on the reel (no knob)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214458-377271648.jpeg)


so, I went to install the nut cover and the lock screw, but.. found out the screw hole was smaller than the diameter of the stock Baja special lock screw
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214458-377272402.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214457-377252078.jpeg)

I remembered I had some other penn lock screws and tried the one for the Defiance reel
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214457-377252486.jpeg)

this one fit like a glove, nice!!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214456-377231016.jpeg)



too bad, the screw is just shy longer than the handle thickeness, nothing that a bit of sanding couldnt take care of, I didnt do it because this was a prototype

(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214456-377232417.jpeg)

found out the lock screw that fit this prototype handle is 3/32 size
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214454-377171079.jpeg)

while the stock one is 3mm
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214454-37717858.jpeg)

just to have an idea on how it might look installed and ready to fish, I put a knob a had on hand.
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214455-377202136.jpeg)
(https://alantani.com/gallery/37/3592-220223214455-377191892.jpeg)

Im not an engineer and might as a dumb question here, but I dont know if its good idea to dont take that much material from the aluminum handle as is in the prototype, the handle feels pretty light but once installed on the heavy reel its not much noticeable that you are saving some weight because of the cutoffs on the handle, I could feel a bit of flex on the handle if I pushed the knob towards the reel but never tried to bend it to check how much force it could handle, overall feels pretty good and its good product, I have other handles from Pro-challenger for my 113h and 112h and this one has the same good quality.
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Bill B on February 23, 2023, 02:33:14 AM
Good write up Alex you covered a lot I didn't touch on.  Bill
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: MarkT on February 23, 2023, 04:49:52 AM
That big window may make it lighter but introduces flex. I'd turn it into two to make it stiffer.
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: funhog on February 23, 2023, 05:23:30 PM
It looks great. But, being a little longer with the bigger cut out near the sleeve, and a little flex noticed- how did it feel with bout 15# of drag and the expected twist leverage from the handle when bringing in a decent size fish?
....maybe I just crank sloppy?
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Black Pearl on February 23, 2023, 07:24:38 PM
We will keep the same design as the current JigMaster handle design.


Quote from: funhog on February 23, 2023, 05:23:30 PMIt looks great. But, being a little longer with the bigger cut out near the sleeve, and a little flex noticed- how did it feel with bout 15# of drag and the expected twist leverage from the handle when bringing in a decent size fish?
....maybe I just crank sloppy?
Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: steelfish on February 23, 2023, 09:13:37 PM
Quote from: Black Pearl on February 23, 2023, 07:24:38 PMWe will keep the same design as the current JigMaster handle design.

let me know if you need anything else amigo.

Title: Re: US113 handle testers needed
Post by: Gfish on February 23, 2023, 10:33:41 PM
Wow." The Bill and Alex Review". Great job guys.