SOM Blue heaven L 50 OGM OTA garage review

[Dr. Jekyll - AKA MeL B]

nice, thanks for sharing...

[alantani]

i saw the video.  it looked like fun!  what kind of camera were you using?

[redsetta]

GoPro?

[hafnor]

Yes, we use a lot of gopro cameras, we use chestymounts, suction cups, headband etc with the camera. really neat little camera that is fully waterproof!

some other videos from us using gopro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UATA4yFmlcE&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLH3AI5ql5s&feature=relmfu


halibut with hookup on tape.



large coalfish fishing from the summer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTXQDl3kwmM&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzXYYAgFPB0&feature=plcp

[hafnor]

I have just been in contact with a metal shop that makes customized parts for hydraulic machines, he said that the only problem would be the price of such a part. He will investigate more and if the price isn't too bad hopefully I can get a new stainless steel drag plate. Once dawn is back I will order a new drag washer too. this can get exciting. Will keep you posted.

[alantani]

i'm guessing that a change of the drag washer alone will dramatically improve the performance of the reel.  concentrate on the drag washer first, then see if you need to make any other changes.  chances are you'll be very happy after that one upgrade. 

[hafnor]

yeah! I figured that too, I will try carbon fibre drags first. I made a post for dawn but she is on vacation. I have contacted a NZ based SOM supplier, maybe they can help me. otherwise it might be a little thick? 1,73mm

btw. I was very happy to see what I believe is a angular contact bearing in there. the bearing has quite a bit of sideplay! I have never seen one before. It is very small and I believe they have contact with a local japanese bearing manufacturer that makes them. I will try to contact them for other sizes angular contact bearings. I haven't found one yet for another reel that I have

[hafnor]

hey, thanks for the youtube comment Alan!

[hafnor]

so I put two 1mm CF washers on top of each other. Thank you Justin for hooking me up with CF sheets! now the original cork was about 1,7-1,85mm thick (the cork is soft and has a cushion effect therefor the different measurements) On the bright side the retainer was able to keep them both in place making so the drag plate wont pull the washer with it ones it goes into freespool. on the darker side it was such a tight clearance with the retainer that the ID of the top CF washer pulls itself a tiny bit towards the drag plate (away from the spool) Now if the drag plate is in contact (drag engaged) the logical thing would be that it will get squeezed onto the spool (against the bottom washer) and there is enough clearance for freespool (fourtanetly)

Now the machine shop is mapping the aluminum drag plate so I will not be able to test it before I get the new plate made from stainless steel. It should arrive any moment now. Then I will run some tests and see how it goes, and take it from there. Best.

as you see. I think the result came out pretty nice. The washer on the right is the "ugliest one" and is to be used in the bottom, the one in the middle will be my new washer.





greased and ready for its drag plate, SS or aluminum

[redsetta]

Great job Thor - glad it all worked out.
Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story unfolds.
Cheers, Justin