Fin Nor OFS95 - The Breaking Point

[shanker]

Alright guys, I opened up my Busted Fin Nor OFS95, the main gear broke, all the way around where it mounds to the reel handle.

I have taken some really good High-Res pics but left my Digi-Cam pic at work, I will get it tomorow.

The gear broke because it is CAST! NOT MACHINED! Fin-Nor needs to correct this issue ASAP, if they are expecting people to fish these reels with heavy drags, the gears need to be able to support the drag capabilities as well.

-Patrick

[Uncle Russ]

I have a second friend who ordered one on the internet. He has not used his yet, and I offered to act as a go-between to deliver it to Gunsmoke for the purpose of making certain it got thrown overboard in the best manner possible. He is going to fish with it.

Russ

[shanker]

Updated with pics, check out the first page.

[lite-liner]

Thanks for the pics. looks like the broken main gear is made
of cast iron or aluminum. Need a magnet to be sure
although in a situation like yours I beleive
it would have stripped the gears on cast aluminum.
Nonetheless, it is a machined part, but doesnt look like
even decent steel, let alone stainless the break is too grainy
for stainless. probably cast iron.
Thank God I bought the Cabo 80pts instead.
How you likin that purple Avet?
-Brian

[shanker]

That purple avet looks too nice to use, I got a topshot of 60lb Izorline Pink on it and even my wife said its "pretty"

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Thanks for sharing the pics Shanker.
That's a good 1,000 words for what to not buy...

[hatidua]

I like my Stella's.

[shanker]

Just an update, Fin Nor contacted me to let me know that there was a bad batch of thinly machined gears from the factory, I have taken my Fin Nor out 3 times since it broke and have caught several more amberjack w/o an issue.

After jigging w/ Tom's setup, I know why everyone like such light setups now though.

[Ragman]

Thanks for the update shanker!

Light is right!

[Uncle Russ]

Not to beat a dead horse or take issue with Fin-Nor's contention concerning the bad batch of gears, but I would have three observations:

(1) the ability of a bad run of parts to get into actual product does not speak well for their quality assurance, if any. On the other hand, I guess it could be argued that at that price, you can't expect superior QA.

(2) There have been other problems--admittedly not as bad--that had nothing to do with the gears.

(3) I am not an engineer, nor did I inspect the faulty reels myself, but it would seem that the inferior metal could be an issue without regard to the thickness of the parts.

Russ

[heavytoolz]

Originally Posted by shanker

Just an update, Fin Nor contacted me to let me know that there was a bad batch of thinly machined gears from the factory, I have taken my Fin Nor out 3 times since it broke and have caught several more amberjack w/o an issue.

hi there. is there a way to identify reels from the bad batch (before the gear breaks..), e.g. by the serial number? just bought a couple of these..