Repair rod

[benri]

I have a practically new Mitchell rod which yesterday unfortunately gave way only after three alongi. The reel seat apparently got disengaged from the rod and is rotating independently 360 degress round the rod. Does anybody have an idea how i could fix it please?

[The_Gaffer]

If its practically new, why not return it to the outlet where you bought it and have them repair it for you!!!...either repair, or exchange for a new one.  Could be a production fault!!...I hear it happening alot lately

[benri]

The thing is I bought it last year but only started using it this year! I'm sure and positive there's nothing to complain regarding the agent's/shop after sales. Just thought there might be a quick fix!

[Moonwalker]

I have a small cheap rod that had the same fault - I use it for lampuki since I'm not an alunghi fan.  I fixed it by drilling 2 2.5mm holes right through just under the reel and passed 2 bolts and tightened with locknuts.

Am not sure if the Mitchell is constructed the same way but my problem was exactly like yours with the reel rotating 360deg.

[clutch_kick]

I could take a look at it, and see if the damage is repairable. However a reel seat going loose is a very very serious manufacturing defect.  If the agent is worth his salt  ( and i do not know who he is, so please do not think I am pointing fingers ) he should help you replace it with a new one. 

Send me a PM and we'll fix an appoint ment and look at the damage.

[skip]

Charles as you have started building rods could you give us a small insight into reel seat failures? I even read about some Jigging Master rods having reel seat failures so it seems to happen at times across the entire price range as those are like €500 rods!

From what I read I know they are packed with foam? and glued as well?

[clutch_kick]

Skip.  Rod failures come in all shapes and sizes, and for many reasons at that.  I am by no means an expert on the subject, but since i started building rods I had to do a lot of research on the subject.

Normally a reel seat is glued in place with epoxy.  Arbors are used to make the reel seat fit snugly in place over the rod, these could be graphite, nylon or even just plain masking tape.  The whole section is covered in epoxy and the reel seat is put in place.  The problem starts when you try to be economical.

1. Lack of preparation. A badly prepared surface will not allow the glue to adhere properly to the surfaces.
2. Quality of the epoxy.  Some epoxies are not resistant to water, even once cured.  I learned this by experience and only use Rod Builder's epoxy now, which costs :/
3. The lack of the epoxy. As mentioned, epoxy costs money, so they try to use less of it.
4. Outsourcing the assembly process to a less skilled work-force.

Once the reel seat comes loose on a rod you're pretty much screwed up, but you never know ....

[skip]

Thanks for the info Charles, very useful and makes sense.

In fact a popular US brand has most of it's stuff contracted out to the Far East now and only select models are locally made.

[OKUMA-1976]

from my experience i encountered this problem on boat rods just 4 times over a period of 10 years,

say 1 to 2% of the rods fail and with this problem rods are then repaired for free, is it something to really worry about.

[clutch_kick]

from my experience i encountered this problem on boat rods just 4 times over a period of 10 years,

say 1 to 2% of the rods fail and with this problem rods are then repaired for free, is it something to really worry about.

Yes these types of failures are very sparse and far in between.  if they weren't nobody would buy the product.  That is why I said that most probably the agent will get through to the manufacturer and have your rod replaced.  You cannot rely have a loose reel seat out of negligent use, it is bound to be a manufacturing defect.  Just as Okuma-1976 rightly said!

[benri]

After following your suggestions I decided to take the rod back, even though I had bought it last year and guess what!!!!!
After the agent examined the rod, I was given a brand new rod in the higher catagory than my original rod FREE OF CHARGE!!! No questions asked!!!! Now that's a 5 Golden STAR award to our Maltese agent for Mitchell and Penn. In my sincere honest opinion, I will never dream of buying a rod of a different brand! That is after sales service!!!
Experience has thought me that when buying something, you should always look for buying the service more than the object itself. All rods and any brand can fail one time or another as after all, they're all made by human beings but, a service like the one I was given puts these brands above all the rest!
When the going got tough, the tough got going!!!!!

[clutch_kick]

I am happy it all ended well for your Benri.  thumbs up to the agent!! Kudos.

[Jonathan]

Thanks for sharing - This is an example of great after sales service which all consumers should keep in mind when deciding what brands to buy, who to buy from, etc.

I also think that all other agents/importers/fishing shops/etc. should take a cue from this case and start adopting a similar customer-focused approach.

Well done to the agent of Mitchell and Penn once again!

[The_Gaffer]

Benri - I have a pretty good idea who the agent is.  However, there might be other members here who do not know.  I would suggest you name the agent, as this is indeed what after sales and customer service is all about.  Sometimes we are very quick to post negative comments about local agents, including naming and shaming them.  However, it is only fair to name and praise an agent when we are treated well.  Well done!!!

[fishfinder]

I fully agree with you Joe.

Well done to the Agent of Mitchell and Penn.