Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing => Setting Up Your Reel to Go Fishing => Topic started by: alantani on October 22, 2016, 05:16:43 AM

Title: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: alantani on October 22, 2016, 05:16:43 AM
when spooling up spectra, some people use electrical tape around the arbor to keep the spectra from slipping.  it's fine for fresh water, but not so good by itself for a salt water reel.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_03_58_160341449.jpeg)

yup, plain black electrical tape.  who knows how many seasons this has been on.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_03_55_16033629.jpeg)

and this is what you get.  funny, this one.  lots of corrosion under the tape, absolutely none on the sides of the spool.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_03_54_160321925.jpeg)

this has to be cleaned down to the bare aluminum.  and at this point, opinions diverge.  what i do is give the spool a light coat of yamaha marine grease, cleaning off the excess.  i'm betting that the engineers at yamaha have grease that is acceptably salt water resistant.  some guys use car wax.  i dunno....

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_04_03_160361546.jpeg)

then it's a coat of breathable flex wrap, then take the spectra six turns around the arbor, then a six turn uni knot, then loaded under pressure equal to 50 to 75% of the anticipated drag ranged (but you knew that last part already).

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_04_02_16035337.jpeg)

gotta protect those spools!!!!!
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Bill B on October 24, 2016, 03:36:20 AM
Message recieved 10-2....flex wrap....not electrical tape  Bill
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Eddie Hernandez on April 18, 2018, 07:10:22 PM
Quote from: alantani on October 22, 2016, 05:16:43 AM
when spooling up spectra, some people use electrical tape around the arbor to keep the spectra from slipping.  it's fine for fresh water, but not so good by itself for a salt water reel.

Alan-thanks for this post I will be spooling up my new shimano torium 14 with braid and will use the flex tape/grease on the spool I have tons of this tape at work ;D...
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on April 19, 2018, 12:04:25 AM
Over the last couple of years-ish  - I've stopped using any kind of tape on the spool. 5/6 turns around the spool then an arbor knot with  a long tag end - I can't make it slip :)
I just spooled up a fly reel (for salt fishing) as above 5/6 turns etc. 30+ lbs on the intial knot - it didn't move ;D
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: handi2 on April 19, 2018, 12:11:34 AM
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 19, 2018, 12:04:25 AM
Over the last couple of years-ish  - I've stopped using any kind of tape on the spool. 5/6 turns around the spool then an arbor knot with  a long tag end - I can't make it slip :)
I just spooled up a fly reel (for salt fishing) as above 5/6 turns etc. 30+ lbs on the intial knot - it didn't move ;D

Me too. I do it like Jerry Brown instructs. No tape at all.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: conchydong on April 19, 2018, 10:22:32 AM
Quote from: handi2 on April 19, 2018, 12:11:34 AM
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 19, 2018, 12:04:25 AM
Over the last couple of years-ish  - I've stopped using any kind of tape on the spool. 5/6 turns around the spool then an arbor knot with  a long tag end - I can't make it slip :)
I just spooled up a fly reel (for salt fishing) as above 5/6 turns etc. 30+ lbs on the intial knot - it didn't move ;D

Me too. I do it like Jerry Brown instructs. No tape at all.


X3
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: bluefish69 on April 19, 2018, 05:54:26 PM
I use the rubberized electrical tape that is water proof. This is used underground on Electric connections.  Then I do the knot thing.

Mike
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Decker on April 19, 2018, 05:57:27 PM
Good to know!
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: exp2000 on April 19, 2018, 08:42:09 PM
Quote from: handi2 on April 19, 2018, 12:11:34 AM
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 19, 2018, 12:04:25 AM
Over the last couple of years-ish  - I've stopped using any kind of tape on the spool. 5/6 turns around the spool then an arbor knot with  a long tag end - I can't make it slip :)
I just spooled up a fly reel (for salt fishing) as above 5/6 turns etc. 30+ lbs on the intial knot - it didn't move ;D

Me too. I do it like Jerry Brown instructs. No tape at all.

http://www.maltatackle.com/jerry-brown-spectra (http://www.maltatackle.com/jerry-brown-spectra)
~
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: jurelometer on April 19, 2018, 08:53:01 PM
Quote from: conchydong on April 19, 2018, 10:22:32 AM
Quote from: handi2 on April 19, 2018, 12:11:34 AM
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 19, 2018, 12:04:25 AM
Over the last couple of years-ish  - I've stopped using any kind of tape on the spool. 5/6 turns around the spool then an arbor knot with  a long tag end - I can't make it slip :)
I just spooled up a fly reel (for salt fishing) as above 5/6 turns etc. 30+ lbs on the intial knot - it didn't move ;D

Me too. I do it like Jerry Brown instructs. No tape at all.


X3

x4    

Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: boon on April 19, 2018, 10:36:32 PM
My 2c, I have never had braid slip on the spool. I believe it would have to be spooled under little or no pressure.

Each to their own though!
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: alantani on April 19, 2018, 11:01:35 PM
let me know if you guys ever have any problems going tapeless!!!!   ;D
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: David Hall on April 19, 2018, 11:43:16 PM
Guess I'll be changing all those electrical tape arbors out after this season ends.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: exp2000 on April 20, 2018, 01:10:18 AM
Quote from: boon on April 19, 2018, 10:36:32 PM
My 2c, I have never had braid slip on the spool.

I have had a few reels in with the complaint that there is hardly any drag no matter how much you tighten it.

Guess what the culprit usually is?

If you said, the whole line loom free-spininng on the spool you would be right.

Cannot vouch for how the end was tied to the spool though.

I just explain to them that there is nothing wrong with the actual reel and tell them how to fix the problem.
~

Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on April 20, 2018, 01:28:53 AM
Quote from: alantani on April 19, 2018, 11:01:35 PM
let me know if you guys ever have any problems going tapeless!!!!   ;D

Nope - several years - no problems - why did you ask this particular question Alan?
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Eddie Hernandez on April 20, 2018, 05:00:29 PM
Quote from: alantani on October 22, 2016, 05:16:43 AM
when spooling up spectra, some people use electrical tape around the arbor to keep the spectra from slipping.  it's fine for fresh water, but not so good by itself for a salt water reel.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_03_58_160341449.jpeg)

yup, plain black electrical tape.  who knows how many seasons this has been on.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_03_55_16033629.jpeg)

and this is what you get.  funny, this one.  lots of corrosion under the tape, absolutely none on the sides of the spool.

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_03_54_160321925.jpeg%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cbr%20/%3Ethis%20has%20to%20be%20cleaned%20down%20to%20the%20bare%20aluminum. %20and%20at%20this%20point,%20opinions%20diverge. %20what%20i%20do%20is%20give%20the%20spool%20a%20light%20coat%20of%20yamaha%20marine%20grease,%20cleaning%20off%20the%20excess. %20i'm%20betting%20that%20the%20engineers%20at%20yamaha%20have%20grease%20that%20is%20acceptably%20salt%20water%20resistant. %20some%20guys%20use%20car%20wax. %20i%20dunno....%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cbr%20/%3E%5Bimg%5Dhttp://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_04_03_160361546.jpeg)

then it's a coat of breathable flex wrap, then take the spectra six turns around the arbor, then a six turn uni knot, then loaded under pressure equal to 50 to 75% of the anticipated drag ranged (but you knew that last part already).

(http://alantani.com/gallery/16/1_21_10_16_10_04_02_16035337.jpeg)

gotta protect those spools!!!!!

Has anyone used silicone tape? Leaves no glue residue.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: steelfish on April 20, 2018, 07:02:47 PM
Quote from: Eddie Hernandez on April 20, 2018, 05:00:29 PM


Has anyone used silicone tape? Leaves no glue residue.

I using silicone self-fusing tape.

leave no glue residue since it fuse itself when you strech it and put another layer over itself, its pretty tough since is used to fix leaks on hose with air or water presure.

my method is to put a light coat of Yamaha grease on the spool, then a layer of this silicone tape, two rounds of braid line, arbor knot, pull tight, then put another 10-15 turns of braid line, apply a bit more grease again over the braid line, tape y rest of the spool bottom and them continue spooling the reel to the brim.

might sound overkill but give me peace of mind if I ever want to leave the braid two or 3 seasons.



Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on April 20, 2018, 08:20:23 PM
That's what I used to do - until I found corrosion under the tape. Now its grease/wax (whatever is to hand - still not convinced it's totally necessary) then 5/6 turns arbor knot with long tag.
If you can make that slip you are a darn sight stronger than me ;D

I haven't had corrosion on a spool since doing it this way.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: jurelometer on April 20, 2018, 09:01:23 PM
Quote from: Eddie Hernandez on April 20, 2018, 05:00:29 PM

Has anyone used silicone tape? Leaves no glue residue.

I think you will be risking the same problem with any kind of non-breathable tape.  It has to do with pitting corrosion advancing more aggressively when aluminum is exposed to an electrolyte solution in an oxygen depleted environment.

1.  No tape or breathable tape:   The water will eventually evaporate in the line or tape against the arbor.  There is still a little moisture from the air,  but not nearly as bad as trapped water.

2.  Solid tape:    If the salt water travels down the side of the spool and gets under the tape,  it will stay trapped for a much longer time. This is a much more effective environment for pitting corrosion.  This why the spool in Alan's photo had corrosion isolated to the area under the tape on the arbor,  even though the top 1/4 of the spool probably had the most original exposure to salt water. 

Lots of information on the web: look for "pitting corrosion anodized aluminum".  The scientific papers and manufactures association web sites have the most accurate information.   The chemical process has something to do with chloride dissolving some of the oxide layer exposing the underlying metal to corrosion.   Normally, oxygen in the air or water will cause a fresh aluminum oxide layer to form,   but if the oxygen in the solution becomes depleted,   the corrosion will continue.  Or something like that  :)     I am not a chemist.


Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on April 21, 2018, 12:58:33 AM
J - I'm no chemist either (even though one of my degrees would, perhaps, suggest I should have been :-\)
I am a retired engineer and from my experiences no tape is preferable - just my 2 cents though..
It's a bit like sealed or unsealed bearings - for me unsealed rules! Perhaps each to his own :-\
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Rivverrat on April 21, 2018, 01:38:27 AM
Quote from: conchydong on April 19, 2018, 10:22:32 AM
Quote from: handi2 on April 19, 2018, 12:11:34 AM
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 19, 2018, 12:04:25 AM
Over the last couple of years-ish  - I've stopped using any kind of tape on the spool. 5/6 turns around the spool then an arbor knot with  a long tag end - I can't make it slip :)
I just spooled up a fly reel (for salt fishing) as above 5/6 turns etc. 30+ lbs on the intial knot - it didn't move ;D

Me too. I do it like Jerry Brown instructs. No tape at all.


X3

x4  Going on my 4th year doing it this way. Spool all my buddies tournament bass reels this way. As of yet never a problem. Some of my personal reels only see 25 lbs. of drag max though... Jeff
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: David Hall on April 21, 2018, 03:52:32 AM
I probably didn't use a suitable knot for no tape last time I went out and couldn't get any drag on my reel.  I had a heck of a time with the bigger rock fish and Lings.   
Brought it home took the line off and taped the spool, spooled it back up and guess what no more line slip.  Bit I used electrical tape, I'll switch to the breathable stuff next September.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Shark Hunter on April 21, 2018, 05:29:42 AM
I never use anything on the spool other than car wax.
I hand spool all my reels tight and have never had any slip.
My reels get attention, not neglect.
I will rewind it on another waxed spool at least twice a year.
Mind you, I only get to fish the coast two to three times annually.
My gear is always at the top of its game.
If there is a failure, It is always the line getting cut, mangled, chewed off, or wrapped up.
My last trip, I had a shark roll himself up on 30 feet of 500lb cable and 600lb mono to get his tail at the mainline.
All while under drag pressure. Feeling the headshake of a pit bull trying to break free. He did it. >:(
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: oc1 on April 21, 2018, 07:06:46 AM
Remove the spool and thread the line through the frame.  Throw about a dozen half hitches around the arbor.  Then smear everything with grease and wind on the line. 

The half hitches need to go in the same direction as the line when it is wound on so that they will tighten and bind under pressure.
-steve
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Keta on April 21, 2018, 01:06:23 PM
I quit using tape some time ago. I splice a short piece of Dacron, 20' or so,  to the Spectra and tie the Dacron to the spool.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Rivverrat on April 21, 2018, 01:53:30 PM
Yup tape is no good with out regular maintenance. 

I've seen fresh water reels get corrosion on the arbor when using tape. I push a block of my cast bullet lube  (Carnuba Red) against the spinning, empty spool. Never a problem with braid spinning on spool or corrosion   even among those who dunk their reels in the surf... Jeff
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Fishy247 on April 22, 2018, 06:06:24 PM
Depending upon how lazy I happen to be feeling, I either tape it with the breathable, or just splice about 5' or so of mono to the start of my spectra. I usually do 3-4 wraps of the mono around the arbor in the opposite direction of loading. My theory is that the mono knot can slip as it stretches, only serving to tighten its grip on the arbor. Never had a problem with slippage as long as I remember to do my wraps the correct way.

Mike
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: handi2 on April 22, 2018, 11:00:17 PM
Quote from: oc1 on April 21, 2018, 07:06:46 AM
Remove the spool and thread the line through the frame.  Throw about a dozen half hitches around the arbor.  Then smear everything with grease and wind on the line. 

The half hitches need to go in the same direction as the line when it is wound on so that they will tighten and bind under pressure.
-steve

Ive never done this on a conventional reel but that's what i do with spinning reels.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Reel 224 on April 23, 2018, 03:05:02 PM
Alan: I bought three roles of the tape you have suggested and every reel will get warped with before I load it with line.

Thanks Joe
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Gobi King on January 14, 2019, 05:37:55 PM
If a reel is getting splashed and it is loaded with line,
Will the salt water will be absorbed and so all the way down to  the arbor?
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Cor on January 14, 2019, 06:56:42 PM
I've never used tape on my reels but then also I only started to use braid 3 years ago.
I presume if the spool has a hole or little button then no tape will be required?
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: alantani on January 14, 2019, 07:13:01 PM
i clean up the spool with a greasy tooth brush first, leaving a thin coat of grease on the spool.  then i wrap the arbor with a couple of layers of tape, then the line.  i tape the braid to the side of the spool, then spin it so that i get 5-6 wraps around the arbor, then finish it off with a standard 6 turn uni knot.  pretty simple. 
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: alantani on January 14, 2019, 07:14:06 PM
Quote from: Cor on January 14, 2019, 06:56:42 PM
I've never used tape on my reels but then also I only started to use braid 3 years ago.
I presume if the spool has a hole or little button then no tape will be required?

don't tie to the mushroom pin.  the pin can pull right out.  i use tape regardless. 
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: Cor on January 14, 2019, 07:21:27 PM
Thanks!
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: 0119 on January 20, 2019, 08:59:20 PM
Quote from: Cor on January 14, 2019, 06:56:42 PM
I've never used tape on my reels but then also I only started to use braid 3 years ago.
I presume if the spool has a hole or little button then no tape will be required?

Jose Wejebe has a youtube video showing how to do a 5 or 6 wrap around the arbor, uni knot.  It works, there's no slippage and avoids the need for tape or mono backing.  Folks don't like the idea of using straight braid but I find it cheaper than a new spool.  Better yet I just use mono.
Title: Re: a reminder about tape on the arbor of a spool
Post by: WC_Mike on January 20, 2019, 09:57:44 PM
This is a good post. I might have to turn it into a PSA on Facebook. I have never liked electrical tape for anything outside of electrical wiring or used as a bandaid.
Ive used flex wrap with good results but I think I will try the tapeless method this season.