Using extra parts from Fred. I converted a 110 to right hand retrieve for a friend. He tells me that when collet tightened against handle, wont stay tight. What could be wrong??
Since the handle spring washer is in place —- it can only be the crank axle or the crank tightening nut has stripped threads.
These are fine threads that can become stripped very easily.
These most common causes are tightening the crank nut too tight, or accidentally cross threading the crank nut onto the crank main gear axle.
It will take another axle, and another crank nut wouldn't hurt to make everything right and solid.
Best, Fred
I had a similar issue with a DAM Quick 1400. When using the reel, the knurled nut would loosen after several casts.
I had a box of assortment of springs lying around that I purchased from harbor freight. I found one in that assortment box similar to a spring found in a common ballpoint pen. It was larger than the axle and fit under the knurled nut. I had to cut it in half, but the spring kept upward pressure on the knurled nut, preventing it from loosening and thus it solved my issue.
I like nylon washers for this purpose .
Fascinating. I've been using my 331 for over 50 years, cranking with my left hand, and can't remember a time when the crank handle didn't loosen on me from time to time. I've always thought the plastic/nylon washer on the nut was too hard to "bite" when tightened.
My solution has simply been to learn to live with it. A quick hand-tightening once in a while has become second nature for me.
I was tempted to use pliers on it, but I was wary of over-tightening the way Fred described, and I like the reel too much to take that kind of chance with it.
that's just what they do..
have a 110, 110N and a 220, the 220 is better but all of them will loosen over a day's fishing.
The 110 has the stripped threads Fred mentions, I put in a spring washer so the nut won't tighten as far down and stays on the good threads. The nut still loosens..
Quote from: DougK on September 22, 2025, 10:42:16 PMthat's just what they do..
have a 110, 110N and a 220, the 220 is better but all of them will loosen over a day's fishing.
The 110 has the stripped threads Fred mentions, I put in a spring washer so the nut won't tighten as far down and stays on the good threads. The nut still loosens..
The threads will not loosen if they are intact and not worn on the finger nut, AND the crank axle, and if the spring washer is crisp and not flattened out.
I like the nylon washers the best, but either metal or nylon works just fine.
The finger nut is made of chromed over brass —- so it will wear out prior to the steel crank axle threads, generally.
I have all of these. Maybe close to a thousand new, and a few hundred used.
Best, Fred
Quote from: foakes on September 23, 2025, 01:19:24 AMThe threads will not loosen if they are intact and not worn on the finger nut, AND the crank axle, and if the spring washer is crisp and not flattened out.
I like the nylon washers the best, but either metal or nylon works just fine.
The finger nut is made of chromed over brass —- so it will wear out prior to the steel crank axle threads, generally.
I have all of these. Maybe close to a thousand new, and a few hundred used.
Best, Fred
Maybe that's it. For many years, at the end of the season I'd take the 331 off the rod, fold in the handle to make it fit, and pack it in my tackle box for storage. I do things differently now, but perhaps 35 years or so put enough wear on it for the issue to show up.
No biggie. Like I said, I've learned to just live with it.