Maxel has built some funny reels over the years - their original twin-drag setup was not allowed to be sold in the US as it infringed upon Accurate's patent, however they made a single drag reel that was exactly the same as the dual drag but had dummy parts on the left side of the spool, for sale in the US market. I could be wrong here though and they may still be getting built by Maxel. I think this is no longer the case, and JM is either building their own reels or having them made by another factory. I believe that originally Maxel was building JM's reels for them, hence the massive similarities between them (although most JMs from this period buzz due to sprung dogs, whereas the Maxels are silent). Taiwanese manufacturing is not the same as Chinese. If you ask China they will tell you that Taiwan is China but if you ask Taiwan you will get a different answer. Let me know what you think about this reel!? I will use it for jigging and baitfishing primarily but this would be a monster salmon, casting reel aswell. Nothing revolutionary about its engineering as you find the configuration a proven design built by many other manufacturers but I think the spool thumb release sets it a little bit apart from competition. Looks to be very solid built, with little spared on parts. I really like the design, fit (clearances), looks of it, and ease of handling. depending on tuning on the cast controls and how good you are at spinning this tiny spool. Synthetic oil (reelbutter from Ardent inside the ar-bearing. All static parts are painted with yamalube, bearings are left open with tsi 301 (want a light feel to the reel), cals on main gear and all drag-washers. The reel was entirily taken apart and cleaned with cleaning agent, dried and the regreased/oiled. We caught halibut up to 60-70 lb with this reel with no problems at all. The reel was preserviced out the box before use, and I have not run into any problems yet. So I have used this reel for a two week trip this summer and fished it every day. On the left you see the spool thumb release that fits snugly inside the "horseshoe" freespool engager. The bearing sits in its cup with retainer. Main frame with magnets for the cast control and clicker assembly. easy pin removal to access right side bearing/spoolshaft. Spool is a narrow frame design, with integrated clicker plate. left in the picture attached by a large flat head screw sits the freespool engager that engraves the freespool thumb plate attached to the frame. notice the ar dog sitting top in the pic, and the clutch dog on the bottom. All metal except the plastic plate retaining the springs and pinion gear. The gear/handle shaft sits on a single bearing engroved inside the reels frame. (similar to shimano/daiwa design)Įntire yoke exposed. last on the left is the anti reverse dog bracket. there is also a tiny bearing held by a mini retainer on the inside of the house (forgot pic)īehind that huge main gear is 6 wowen carbon fibre drag washers. notice the cast adjustment knob double tasking as a pinion gear stabilizer. here you will easily access the ar bearing, handle bearing, ar gear sleeve. Three hex hold the right side plate, and the body pops out. ss washer before right side handle shaft bearing (can pop out from outside aswell) unscrew the star drag tensioner (beautiful piece btw.) Inside you will find a keyed ss fitting for the handle and 5 bellevilles in: ()()) config.there is also a traditional inside built clicker that ticks when you turn the stardrag. Unscrew the main nut retainer by small flathead and unscrew the handle nut with adjustable wrench. magnetic cast control and cast control knob. it is very nice to palm and fearly light at approx. I really like the thumb release free spool - like a baitcaster. Here goes This is a small size star drag reel costing 250-300 usd. This is the first time I have tried their star drag model. The maxel reels are way cheaper in price so I have sold my jm´s and replaced them with maxel. I still believe that these reels are the ferraris of the convention reels out there with their twin drag constuction, dual AR bearings and dog/dogs and more. except a few tweeks on its cosmetics that includes different handle, t-bar, drag lever. However the powerspell series reels and Maxels transformer series reels are identical on the inside. For those not acquainted with maxel reels and gear Maxel I believe is a chinese brand who is either hardcopying jigging master or is a rebranded reel from a oem company which means that JM powerspell reels are aswell. So last year spring I bought myself a Maxel hybrid 20.
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