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.
(http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1483/82890126.jpg)
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.
(http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/1350/43550936.jpg)
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.
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4562/66310352.jpg)
(http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4593/65659227.jpg)
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.
(http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3718/76256293.jpg)
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.
(http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/254/81262671.jpg)
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.
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
....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
Cheers Killerbug - great post.
All the best, Justin
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
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 :-\ :-\
I've ordered from Plat.com and they ship very quickly for being over seas... thanks for the heads Killerbug!
Dom
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.
well, after this i'm gonna have to get one!
Quote from: alantani on November 10, 2011, 09:05:10 AM
well, after this i'm gonna have to get one!
X2 on that!!!
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.
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.
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
.
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.
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
Quote from: inhotpursuit on 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
Hi,
True it's a small tool, but I haven't had any pins yet that I could not easily remove. That includes pins on, Shimano Trinidad(when modified), Curado, Calcutta, Okuma Akena, Abu Revos of all kinds, and Daiwa Luna.
The treads on the main body is quite small, and the body made in Aluminium, so I can easily imagine your problem even if the tool has functioned flawless for me :-[.
I don't know exactly where my tool is made, but it's blue and says made by Hedgehoq Studio, so I guess it's made in Japan under supervision from Hedgehoq studio.
Are you sure you bought an original Hedgehoq tool???, could you post some photoes of it please?
Regards
Morten.
I bought this on japan auctions it looks identical to the one you have just a different color i think for the price they could of made the body out of stainless and added 5mm of thread to the T screw the finishing pin is fine and i can still use the tool it was just the 2 last threads on the body that were destroyed, from now on i will start the pin off with my modified pliers and use the pin remover to finish the job.
(http://i1017.photobucket.com/albums/af297/inhotpursuit55/SAM_0524.jpg)
Obviously it's not an original Hedgehoq tool you have bought, but a copy of it. Aluminum is not a bad material here, this is a precision tool for gentle removing
the pins on very expensive Japanese reels. Steel would be stronger, but might scratch the spool axis. Remember in Japan bass guys often pay 500$ or more for a reel.
But anyway it's a shame what happened, try to explain it to the shop where you bought it, the might make a refund or give you a new one?
Quote from: Killerbug on December 31, 2011, 06:19:40 PM
Hi,
True it's a small tool, but I haven't had any pins yet that I could not easily remove. That includes pins on, Shimano Trinidad(when modified), Curado, Calcutta, Okuma Akena, Abu Revos of all kinds, and Daiwa Luna.
Regards
Morten.
Aloha Morten,
I ordered one of these and it just came in from Japan. The intent was to use it on my Trinidads, but it does indeed seem too small. You indicated it works on the Shimano Trinidad (when modified), can you elaborate on a bit more on that? Thanks!
I just made the opening in my Hedgehoq tool eqivalent to that of my Trinidad 12, cant remember the exact size of the drill I used, but I can post some pictures later.
But I have to emphasize, that though i can be modified to fit Trinidads, the Hedgehoq will not last long when used on the bigger pins
on these reels. The Hedgehoq is designed to gentle remove pins on smaller baitcasters.
Notice there are two models both by Hedgehog.
The blue on is aluminum? while there is a chrome model which is made of brass.
Anyone tried these or know which is best.
On the new Calcuttas even if you do remove the cross-pin, the collar seems to be a press fit anyway, so changing the bearing on these is still not possible.
Shimano lists the whole spool assembly as a single part for re-order. Any comments?
Hmmm, I actually broke my Hedgehoq today, removing the pin on a Revo Toro. Though this tool is very gentle on the spool axis with expensive baitcaters, it is not very durable.
Use this tool only!, with miniature baitcasters.
There are two models by Hedgehog.
The chrome model is made of brass and is much more durable according to the retailers.
Guess which one I bought?
~
Where, could you post a link?
Apparently the brass ones were a limited edition so may no longer be available.
I notice that there is a second completely new design on the website though.
http://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/564 (http://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/564)
~
u guys shld order directly from the hedgehog studios site!
flat shipping rate of USD10 to anywhere in the world! excellent service!
and i would suggest getting the other bearing pin remover
http://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product-list/2
get the type 2, its much stronger and more precise!
I've got the ver.2 recently, it works like a mini vise clamp with grove and a pin.
Issue 1. I tried it on a brand new small reel, and already as you see from the picture below, is already sway to an angle.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SqliS3-EZqs/UvjsYG4ybXI/AAAAAAAAArg/7nZJ7HqaYHk/s450/DSC_0006.jpg)
Issue 2. The grove for the pinon to sit is rounded and the side that pushes the pin is flat.
It takes a bit to "eye power" to align the pin correctly, or I forsee it'll bend the pin.
Issue 3. The tools came with a hex key not for no reason. Its impossible to turn the knob to push out even tiny pin without the help of the hex key. They better off make something like a rotating tap handle than the knob.
Ohh yea Nuvole..
the type 2 does have a bit of faults. but i reckon that its easier any day than trying to use the type 1.
have u used the type 1 yet?
i guess u can say the type 2 would be better for bigger reels
while for stuff like your zillions and alphas.... maybe the type 1 would be better?
i did experience abit of the tilting.. on my tool. but it wasnt as bad as yours :'(
thedw,
I've not tried type 1. My point of view is that tools are suppose to be made strong & rugged.
I don't understand why tools like pin remover are made small and "cute", as at the end of the day who will bring them out to the field.
i concur
Alternative to the Hedgehoq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FORpiawiK68
Whats the matter with making one of these:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=4841.0
LTM/Leo
Quote from: LTM on February 19, 2014, 10:44:24 PM
Whats the matter with making one of these:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=4841.0
LTM/Leo
Not a safety tool. The Japanese got it right, nothing is more precious than the spool axis ;D
Hello Killerbug,
How much is that tool and where do you get it from?
Killerbug,
Please explain "safety tool".
Thanx,
Leo
Quote from: LTM on February 23, 2014, 01:49:56 AM
Killerbug,
Please explain "safety tool".
Thanx,
Leo
With the Hegdehoq, there are less chances, that you scratch the spool axis. With the Hedgehoq only aluminium touches the spool axis during the removal of the pin, making this tool more safe to use, especially by an untrained mechanic. With a plier, slipping of the pin sometimes occur, leaving undesired marks on the spool, sometimes on a 500 $ reel.
OK, thanks.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hedgehog-Studio-Baitcasting-Reel-Spool-Pin-Remover-Toughy-Daiwa-Abu-Shimano-/321392227220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad4783394 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hedgehog-Studio-Baitcasting-Reel-Spool-Pin-Remover-Toughy-Daiwa-Abu-Shimano-/321392227220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ad4783394)
New strong version of "Spool Bearing Pin Remover Toughy" is now on sale.
Since the material is all stainless-steel, it has a strong durability and more weight than Type S. And also the price is reasonable.