The problem with the EC and the front CVD pins is a flaw in the CVD design. The coupling in the stock EC CVD's is hollow. So there was nothing on the back side of the pin opposite the set screw to support the pin. If the set screw was tightened too much, it will bend or even snap the cross pin. So people were having the pins just break without hitting anything. (The new CVD's that are available have been revised and this isn't an issue any longer.) I had one stock CVD break the whole time I've been running the EC. I just tighten the set screw down enough to hold everything.
As for the spool being hard on the front end, yes it is. That's what the blades are for. Blades wear out fast on the EC with a spool. But as long as they're replaced before they're dead, there won't be any issues. The new spool will have a thicker out drive so the surface where it contacts the blade won't be so sharp. This should make the blades last much longer.