Penn 80TW - Drag Question

[Marlinmate]

Replaced both the inner and outer drag washers with brand new ones. Used Cals Drag grease on both.

Customer says "we caught a giant bluefin on my Penn 80, when the fish would take a run at 28-30lbs of drag it would kind of thump on the way out like the drag would tighten, loosen and the fish would run, then tighten back up - rinse and repeat until we turned it around"

Thoughts?   

[Gfish]

Interesting, in that I've never experienced something like that. Some kinda temporary heat warp?

[oc1]

It sounds like the usual sticking drag (as opposed to a smooth drag).  It's a difficult thing to test/check on the bench because you need a steady and prolonged pull.

[Marlinmate]

It sounds like the usual sticking drag (as opposed to a smooth drag).  It's a difficult thing to test/check on the bench because you need a steady and prolonged pull.

Sticking drag caused by what?

[oc1]

The mating surfaces are supposed to create some friction;, that's how the drag works.  But to much friction between the mating surfaces impedes the release of the spool.  Then, when the pressure on the spool finally exceeds the power of the friction, it gives way.  Sometimes it gives way all at once (sort of like an earthquake). That takes the pressure off the spool so the mating surfaces can grab each other again.  As the pressure on the spool increases again and the friction gives way all at once again, the cycle repeats.

The solution is a dark science that strives to release the pressure gradually instead of all at once.  It involves manipulating the texture,, durability, heat dissipation of the mating surfaces and the lubrication (if any) between them. 

Sticking drags are an age-old problem.  The problem is presently being managed as best we can, but has not been solved.

[Porthos]

Possible blueprinting candidate?

[alantani]

any chance that you have braid slipping on the spool, or digging into the spool?

[Keta]

any chance that you have braid slipping on the spool, or digging into the spool?

This causes far more issues than it should. 

Jerry Brown told me 10# minimum but Alan spools with much more for heavy line.  He has a formula but I do not remember the % of breaking streingth he uses.  I have never had problems with Alan's spooling.

My line winder can do over 10# but not near what Alan's can do.  Press your thumb on the spooled line and if it is not as hard as a pice of hardwood your line is too loose.

[oldmanjoe]

Replaced both the inner and outer drag washers with brand new ones. Used Cals Drag grease on both.

Customer says "we caught a giant bluefin on my Penn 80, when the fish would take a run at 28-30lbs of drag it would kind of thump on the way out like the drag would tighten, loosen and the fish would run, then tighten back up - rinse and repeat until we turned it around"

Thoughts?   

Sounds like compression strokes /pulsation !  A high spot on one of the frictions .

[Keta]

Sounds like compression strokes /pulsation !  A high spot on one of the frictions .

X2

[alantani]

Sounds like compression strokes /pulsation !  A high spot on one of the frictions .

yeah, but the drags are new.   

[Keta]

QC defects or crud under the CF could be the problem.

[alantani]

QC defects or crud under the CF could be the problem.

yeah, maybe, but i still think it's something else.   

[MarkT]

Drag plate may not be perfectly flat

[Keta]

QC defects or crud under the CF could be the problem.

yeah, maybe, but i still think it's something else.   

Yup. 

If it was a Avet I would be 90% certain it was salt in the ungreased CF disk or salt caused corrosion on the drag plate.