Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => Photo Gallery => Topic started by: steelfish on April 16, 2015, 03:33:14 AM

Title: Im starting to like this thing of "repair and service" reels for new friends
Post by: steelfish on April 16, 2015, 03:33:14 AM
well, I have some years servicing my own reels and upgrade them as far as I want (and money allows), two years ago I started to service and fix the reels for my close friends, and few months ago, I started to fix reels for the family and friends of my fishing friends and those were my first customer that actually paid for my service.

well, my 2nd customer really like it how his 3 fishing reels were after I serviced them so, he brought me 4 more reel, all 7 reels were penns 209, 350, 500, and a 320gt old models.
well, the guy was really happy of the reel with new grease and good quality oil and before asking me how much it would be the total cost for the 7 reels, told me: let me ask you, do you like fishing with spinning reels?
well, yes I do, I'm mostly a casting reel guy, but from time to time I like the "fools proof" ability of the spinning reels for fishing from the shore or from a boat when I fish inshore, I actually have 3 nice spinning reels, but my expensive fishing reels are all casting model, why?

Then he told me, I bought from a friend an expensive spinning reel thinking that I would like it, but I didnt, I actually hate it, I used it one time and hate it (he had old problems with the left shoulder), so I put it in the basement the very next morning after fishing and had stayed there for almost a year only getting dust, do you want to see it? take a look at it and tell me if we can do an exchange, my spinning reel for your labor and parts.


well, long story short, few minuted later, I walked outside from his home with a smile from ear to ear and loving to my gift, this guy loved their new serviced reels and I loved my "payment"

well too much emotion and too long story, hu?
check by yourself the reel I received as payment and which Im the happy new owner.


(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/carrretes/IMAG0346sss_zpszf9rpxbh.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/carrretes/IMAG0346sss_zpszf9rpxbh.jpg.html)


(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/carrretes/IMAG0342sss_zpszpa4urnp.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/carrretes/IMAG0342sss_zpszpa4urnp.jpg.html)


(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa198/alextellofotos/carrretes/IMAG0335%20sss_zpsd45ji1ki.jpg) (http://s202.photobucket.com/user/alextellofotos/media/carrretes/IMAG0335%20sss_zpsd45ji1ki.jpg.html)


an almost new van staal VS275, perfect for boat fishing in my zone  

dont you love this kind of surprises??

Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: bestout on April 16, 2015, 04:20:26 AM
that is a very nice "payment" :)
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: Dominick on April 16, 2015, 05:36:12 AM
Man I'd do 10 reels for that spinner.  It makes you wonder what the guy that gave it to you didn't like about it.  Did he say?  I don't think I'd like the shiny bright chrome reflecting in the sun light but I'd put up with that.  Dominick
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: alantani on April 16, 2015, 07:25:11 AM
nice!
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: Shark Hunter on April 16, 2015, 08:25:41 AM
Good on ya! Steelfish. ;D
That is a Beauty. :o
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: Keta on April 16, 2015, 11:32:42 AM
NICE!
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: steelfish on April 16, 2015, 01:28:58 PM
Quote from: Dominick on April 16, 2015, 05:36:12 AM
Man I'd do 10 reels for that spinner.  It makes you wonder what the guy that gave it to you didn't like about it.  Did he say?  I don't think I'd like the shiny bright chrome reflecting in the sun light but I'd put up with that.  Dominick

I already made my homework on that reel and what he might not liked on the reel.
-Its only left handed
-Its tight to Turn the handle ( because the se al to be 100% waterproof)
-Dont have a bail
-knob handle is bit uncomfortable

Those are the Love/hate normal things on all the van staal and zeebass reels, and I have no problem with any on them.


Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: steelfish on April 16, 2015, 01:36:09 PM
@ rest of the Guys

Pretty Good, right?
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: Shark Hunter on April 16, 2015, 02:22:24 PM
Considering its a $600 dollar reel. I'd say you did pretty good. Its on my Bucket list. I need to get that 20/0 everol first. ;D
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: borchcl on April 16, 2015, 02:53:32 PM
You did better than I do! If I make a couple bucks on repair, I loose them when I sell a reel I have rebuilt. :)
Charlie
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: steelfish on April 16, 2015, 04:51:17 PM
Quote from: borchcl on April 16, 2015, 02:53:32 PM
You did better than I do! If I make a couple bucks on repair, I loose them when I sell a reel I have rebuilt. :)
Charlie

naaa this was just a pure luck.. Im not doing it better than any of you Im just an amateur but with nice good luck kick off

Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: Bryan Young on April 16, 2015, 05:14:50 PM
Quote from: steelfish on April 16, 2015, 04:51:17 PM
Quote from: borchcl on April 16, 2015, 02:53:32 PM
You did better than I do! If I make a couple bucks on repair, I loose them when I sell a reel I have rebuilt. :)
Charlie

naaa this was just a pure luck.. Im not doing it better than any of you Im just an amateur but with nice good luck kick off



Very nice...and great to feel appreciated.
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: SacFly on April 16, 2015, 07:02:09 PM
You got a nice deal there!  The retrieve is supposed to be tight, but it will loosen a little bit as you break in the reel.  There are stock and aftermarket handles available if you don't like that one.
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: steelfish on April 16, 2015, 10:44:21 PM
Quote from: SacFly on April 16, 2015, 07:02:09 PM
.... and aftermarket handles available if you don't like that one.


Im planning to use the reel for at least 5 times before thinking to get another knob for the handle, most of the guys that have one 90% of them use them all stock, so I think I will be ending using it stock too.

if not, I will take a look for a knob more comfortable in some months
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: Slazmo on April 17, 2015, 09:58:22 AM
Its the little things that customers go out of their way to reward your work, money / payment aside.

I have a lot of guys that frequently pass me on lures, lines and one of my best customer which now I would consider a friend passed me on a brand new rod for my efforts - its a long way off a Vann Stall however its a start ha ha...

My main week job (paint specialist) in a retail environment is a very little thanked job, no reward and no appreciation from anyone; either from the customer or my many managers... Its a drag so to say.

However my hobby business (Reel Servicing) is a over thanked job. Personally I love the interaction and the smiles that the reels bring to peoples faces.

Just makes me want to do this full time and work for myself. However the pay isnt something one could live off or support a full time addiction.

"Hi my name is Andrew, and I have a problem"...

Fishing...
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: steelfish on April 17, 2015, 06:10:23 PM
100% agree with you Andrew, I also took this action (from my old friend) like an appreciation gift not as a pure payment.

best of all is that Im really enjoy working on reels, separate every single screw, spring, metal, gears, etc, clean them, lube them and build it again knowing that now its better than it came from the factory, my full time job is accounting (CPA) and it can be a really stressing job, as far as as today servicing reels helps me as a relaxing activity and makes me forget everything of my day job when Im working on a reel at night...
hey, if you enjoy what you do and after that you get paid or receive this kinds of gifts its like Bryan said, feels great to feel appreciated.


as a side note:
yesterday, this good old friend came to my office (daytime job) to talk a bit about fishing, at the end when he was leaving I told him, I still can believe you gave me that beautiful reel for my work on your reels, he replied.. well my friend, if you feel underpaid just tell me how much I still own you (while he was taking his wallet from his backpocket) , then he laughed and told me, forget about it, just take the reel and go fishing with it amigo.

Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: otghoyt on May 09, 2015, 04:51:57 PM
Hey Andrew....I suffer from the same psychosis! 

Reelaholics are addicted to making their reels perform at the highest efficiency the design will allow.  Sometimes I will take a perfect reel out of it's box and just caress the metal and wipe off the fingerprints.   Fishaholics are seemingly passive people but when the bite is on, WATCH OUT!  The hyper focus makes the world go away.  The adrenaline increases strength and will.  Very addicting stuff!  Best drug on the planet! 

I got both versions and it may be terminal!.

HO
Title: Re: Im starting to (mega) like servicing reels for new friends
Post by: basto on May 18, 2015, 02:51:39 AM
I was given one of my favourite reels by an extremely generous man in USA simply because I wrote a post online about how good it was compared to it`s successors. He would not even accept postage costs to Australia.
Basto