Modifying Shimano handle knob shafts with machined bushings...

[Slazmo]

Hi guys,

So managed a BNIB Shimano Chronarch 201E5 here in Australia for $186 (BARGAIN Wink ).

Anyhow going about the service and the typical throughout strip-down and noticing that all the bearings were pressed shields throughout the reel, opening one bearing at a time and removing only one shield etc for servicing and ease of lubrication etc. Internally its exactly the same as the Curado G series - just made in Japan... (or as much as you can believe in that?). Is the E series any better than the G series? Hmm... Perceivably no...

Then, only then did I get to the handle and say to myself that I would get some Avail POM knobs that I have a fondness for on my reels for their comfort and ease of use / feel in the hand, I noticed that the Chronarch's handle shafts were very different from those that I came to know from the Shimano baitcasters I come to see from others and that I own myself... The Curado's all have typical handle knob shafts which are flat and made from what seems Stainless Steel, unlike the Chronarch which are Aluminium, thus the Curado (Handle B)and others that bear the same knob shafts can be bearing modified and make the reel just that little more. I know my little Calcutta 50B has the same issue with the knob shafts and that will be next in line to get this treatment and some Avail handle knobs.

There was little chance like as much as a snow balls chance in hell that I was going to fork out another $130 for a Avail straight handle for the Chronarch, even if it was made from beautiful Duraluminium with Titanium handle knob shafts and anodised in black... Dreams are free arent they... But the truth is that I cant use a swept handle as a swept drag star doesnt exist for the reel that I know of due to the spool friction knob placement etc...

So the Chronarch (Japanese made) came with the handle knob shafts (Handle A) with bushes pre machined onto the handle knob shafts. A really poor design as the handle knob at the inner end was on the aluminium bush and the outer end was bearing supported closest to the knob screw. I mean WTF???

What I did is (with the following pictures as a rough guide) dremel the bushes off with a metal cutting tip (Handle A) as close to the shafts lower diameter as possible - this diameter was larger than the end diameter which supported the bearing as the ID of the bearing is 4mm. The larger ID of the shaft would have been by best guess OD 5mm+.

After I gauged that the amount of metal that had to be removed I went to work with a Fuller mini hand file. Removing excess metal from the knob shaft little at a time radially and ensuring that the handle knob shaft remained smooth all around to ensure that the shafts kept some residual strength and that the bearing could fit. Once OD 4mm was reached at the start point I could slip the bearing on little by little and I removed minute amounts of residual metal off the shafts and the bearing slid along it and I could get them all the way to the end of the knob shafts. This process took over a hour for both knob shafts, as not to rush and DohDohDohDoh up the job, everything was done with a methodical mindset at hand.

The Avail handles come with both sizing washers and these are Shimano A and Daiwa B. The Shimano A sizing is usually just a thin plastic washer whereas the Daiwa washers are more of a thick cylindrical washer where the bearing butts up to. I found that the Daiwa B sizing to be absolutely perfect for the installation of the Avail POM knobs on the Chronarch OEM handle (Handle A) - a minute amount was taken off the cylindrical washer to give absolute zero lateral slop. Both bearings and knob installed and the handles are tight laterally however spin beautifully.

Hopefully someone can make sense of what I posted if they encounter the same issue

Hoping that people can see the pictures also??? I only see them as attached images...

[Slazmo]

Pictures Cont...

[Slazmo]

Just did another reel. This one is a prime example of 'boned'... You cant add bearings and you cant add any decent grips available on the market.

The Calcutta 50B is basically meant to be used as standard unless you fork out $130+ AUD into a Avail handle and other accessories to just put some decent handles on it.

Some pics of the process - hope it helps.

DSCF4798.JPG
The standard handle knob shafts with the machined bushings - no bearings can be installed and that renders pretty much every available after-market handle knob out of reach.

DSCF4855A.jpg

A - Left, as standard. B - Right with some whittling of the brass down to the required shaft OD mm you can carefully get it evenly done to allow a bearing onto the inner shaft. Yes it will retain most of its strength, unless you drop the reel or sit on it? Its solid all the way till about 4mm+/- of the end where the screw- screws into it.

DSCF4863.JPG

As I shortened the length of the knob shaft also, I had to shorten the length of the actual screw also...

DSCF4870A.jpg
A - Left, as standard with the Shimano Septone grip. B - Right with the new Avail Abu POM knob with gold Avail end caps. Two bearings per handle knob also installed. Makes this reel soooo smooth now.

DSCF4886 - Copy.JPG

Finished product - extremely happy with the time spent. Saved me the $130 plus and the week it takes to get a handle sent over from Japanland.

Hope it helps,

Andrew

[The Doctor]

Some handy job there Andrew, and great looking little Calcutta.

$186!? That is a bargain, where did you find that price? (not that I can fit another reel in my reel cupboard...)

[Slazmo]

Originally Posted by The Doctor

$186!? That is a bargain, where did you find that price? (not that I can fit another reel in my reel cupboard...)

Got it on a FB sales site off a now friend - yes very cheap indeed, brand new in the box and posted...

[Juzza]

Hey Slaz, would it be possible to replace the septone grips on the old stradic FH, there is no screw under the plastic cap though.

[Slazmo]

I guess you could with a steady hand. You could machine the top off, remove the knob and drill and tap a screw hole.

My biggest issue is measurement of the knob shaft prior to doing so - so that a after-market knob could fit it. This would be most important length wise, not so much width wise.

I got lucky on length of the knob shaft on the 50B - however the 50XT I have is in the same predicament as your FH as these are pressed on and non replaceable.