Is there something that can be done to increase the overall strength in my Daiwa reel?
It's a smooth reel but drags pay out line on a standard hookset on small to medium size Largemouth, even.
Would 2 thinner drag washers, if available, make the drags stronger?
Quote from: MudShark7 on June 06, 2015, 05:41:02 PM
Is there something that can be done to increase the overall strength in my Daiwa reel?
It's a smooth reel but drags pay out line on a standard hookset on small to medium size Largemouth, even.
Would 2 thinner drag washers, if available, make the drags stronger?
You could easily increase the drag by going to a larger stack with custom washers etc.
The question is would you just break the reel though?
1. Which model is this?
2. Have you taken the reel apart? Sometimes their are inadvertent errors that cause a loss in drag like eared washers not seating properly or bellevilles being put back in the wrong order.
John, this is the Lexa 100.
Yes, I have taken the reel apart and cleaned and lubed everything on 2 reels. They are the smoothest and easiest casting reels I own.
I believe they have weak drags when compared to any of my Shimano or other Daiwa reels. I believe everything is normal and in the
correct order on both reels.
You could break the reel by increasing the drag strength?
I'm just looking for an easy upgrade, if there is one.
Quote from: MudShark7 on June 06, 2015, 07:44:17 PM
John, this is the Lexa 100.
Yes, I have taken the reel apart and cleaned and lubed everything on 2 reels. They are the smoothest and easiest casting reels I own.
I believe they have weak drags when compared to any of my Shimano or other Daiwa reels. I believe everything is normal and in the
correct order on both reels.
You could break the reel by increasing the drag strength?
I'm just looking for an easy upgrade, if there is one.
Ok, have you checked the orientation of the bellevilles to be sure they are () (the ones on the handle under the star)?
This will mess up drag range if they are ))...
If you have dimensions then Dawn at smoothdrag.com may have some thinner washers. Many of these reels share the same dimensions of their gear shafts and washers and you may be able to drop a new stack in with thinner carbontex and thinner stainless washers to increase the drag.
The trouble is that generally the overall stiffness of frame and strength of parts is in balance with the drag they stick in there so you have to be careful.
The good news is that increasing the max drag is still very useful because you increase the mid-range smoothness. If you are getting an 8lb max now, say, then an improved drag will give you a much smoother 8 lbs even though you might be advised to not use the new max often.
best
I'll get on it and check them again and measure washers and drag material while I'm at it.
Thanks for your help, John.
After checking it out, everything looks right and comparing the Lexas to other reels and thinking about it, it seems that the Lexa WILL adjust to a strong drag if you crank it up but the other reels have a much broader range of adjustments at the top end. Even so, the drag feels like an even pull when you do adjust it up but just doesn't have as long of adjustment range. I wonder if the drag material is not as good?
I don't have a 100 but have both the 300 & 400. I've caught lots of Calico bass and Yellowtail on both of them. I've had no issue with getting enough drag. Great reels!
Thanks Mark, yes I have a 300 also - 22 lbs of drag - definitely Not lacking lol
I would love to try it on some Yellowtail but I no longer live in Cal
Mudshark,
You need to be aware that the diameter of the 100 vs 300 main gears are much different and thus the max drags are different. If you want to increase drag due to using heavier line/braid, maybe you should use a larger reel with larger drags.
Leo
LTM,
I understand it's bigger area on the drags - not to mention multi-stack. I was just responding to Mark's statement.
I'm only comparing it to other similar size reels in the same price range.
Are you getting the 11lbs of drag stated by the manufacturer? Also, have you always had this issue or is it new?
I'm probably gettin +/- 7 lbs. and that's the max No these reels have had this since new. When I set the hook on a Largemouth the line strips out when my rod moves up ... FFFffffffffffttttttttttttt!!!
I've already taken then apart and cleaned and relubed. Everything looks right and it's a very smoothand fun reel to use. I can cast a mile and a half!
I TAKE THAT BACK! IT Won't lift a 5 LB Dumbbell off the floor!!
it sounds like the bottom metal drag washer might be an eared washer not a keyed washer.
What's more, my old Citica will just barely lift a 5 lb Dumbbell off the floor. That's a valid test, right?
This has really got me thinking about specs - proclaimed drag versus real world.
To do this, I pointed the reel towards the ground with the line wrapped around the 5 lb dumbbell and the drag ratcheted up, all the way.
Then, I slowly but steadily try to lift the dumbbell up with the weight of the line going thru the line guide onto the spool. It won't lift the dumbbell up!
Keta, here is the schematic to answer your question (http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah271/elbote72/8730071102_d842891986_h_zpswiftgabz.jpg)
I would swap out the drags with carbontex from Dawn, yes the under gear as well. Then see what you are getting. Sometimes these washers are warn, even from the factory.
I have the schematic for the Lexa 300 (BTW they are a nice reel) on my bench right now for one I'm working on but the stack configuration is not clear. Always start with a keyed washer.
Keta, as far as I know, unless they have a multi-stack, there is no keyed washer - It's just drag gear, drag then top drag washer. That's the way all my Shimanos and Daiwas seem to be Only on my bigger reels like the Lexa 300 and the Calcutta 400 do they have stacks with tabbed washers in the middle of the stack.
Item #63 is the keyed washer, the 100 only has one metal washer, I'm using the 300 schematic.
This reel schematic is similar to the Okuma Citrix 273 . Only the concave key metal washer with one CF drag washer underneath in the main gear and then another smaller drag washer/spacer under the main gear. I used my Citrix on feisty, hot fall Coho in Alaska and could not stop them without thumbing the spool on fully tightened drag. Without the multistack drags, IMO, there's not going to be very much stopping power in the small diameter drag washers.
Looks like I can't argue with that. But where do the manufactures get 11 lbs drag from when it won't hold 1/2 that?
And is there any way to upgrade with different materials or by adding thinner washers?
Anyone with actual results doing this?
Thanks for your help
Quote from: MudShark7 on June 07, 2015, 04:00:21 PM
fIsHsTiiCkS, I thought the Carbontex Drags were more for smoothness and not necessarily for increased strength.
If Dawn sends me material for one of these 2 reels, and it works, I will order for all 12 of my Bass Reels!
It does not increase strength as much as havinghavi quality materials in the right place making a huge difference. I second the idea of muli stacks being a lot better, however my tatula is a single a does out on 10lbs
Quote from: MudShark7 on June 07, 2015, 04:37:39 PM
Looks like I can't argue with that. But where do the manufactures get 11 lbs drag from when it won't hold 1/2 that?
And is there any way to upgrade with different materials or by adding thinner washers?
Anyone with actual results doing this?
Thanks for your help
Custom washers can always be made, just have to fund someone willing to make them
Well, bottom line is all my reels make a solid hookset except those 2 Lexas, because of the drag
Taking your suggestions, I contacted Dawn. Dawn was kind enough to find some replacement drags that are on the way.
Hopefully they make a substantial difference.
Thanks guys
Quote from: MudShark7 on June 07, 2015, 04:37:39 PM
Looks like I can't argue with that. But where do the manufactures get 11 lbs drag from when it won't hold 1/2 that?
And is there any way to upgrade with different materials or by adding thinner washers?
Anyone with actual results doing this?
Thanks for your help
I think the state drag ratings for all the lexas 100, 300, 400 are way overrated.
Quote from: jcool3 on June 11, 2016, 03:04:28 PM
Quote from: MudShark7 on June 07, 2015, 04:37:39 PM
Looks like I can't argue with that. But where do the manufactures get 11 lbs drag from when it won't hold 1/2 that?
And is there any way to upgrade with different materials or by adding thinner washers?
Anyone with actual results doing this?
Thanks for your help
I think the state drag ratings for all the lexas 100, 300, 400 are way overrated.
It also depends very much on how much line is out. They all have some standard and for instance Abu Garcia rates their with the spool at 3/4s full for both drag and inches retrieved (ie after a long cast).
Sounds like this Lexa needs a little oomph though if the drag is slipping fishing bucket mouths on the hook set.
Don't grease the drag and you'll get a bit more # out of it. Btw, Dawn sold me some old leftover original Smoothies for my Millionaire and I noticed they put out more drag than the carbontex. I wish they would still carry them.
See if part 63 Key Washer is truly flat. It may be a little convex, so it's not getting 100% contact with the drag material. One of the ways to check this is on a surfacing table with bluing.
Quote from: MudShark7 on June 09, 2015, 07:19:14 PM
Taking your suggestions, I contacted Dawn. Dawn was kind enough to find some replacement drags that are on the way.
Hopefully they make a substantial difference.
Thanks guys
Hey Mudshark...how'd this work out for you? I too have been fiddling with my lexa 100 and was thinking about upgrading the drag but it already had the one CF drag washer and didn't think that changing the small washer under the main gear to CF would make that much of a difference. what was your experience?
thx-
Jim
Quote from: fIsHsTiiCkS on June 07, 2015, 03:32:55 PM
I would swap out the drags with carbontex from Dawn, yes the under gear as well. Then see what you are getting. Sometimes these washers are warn, even from the factory.
If it's possible to use a Carbontex drag washer with more surface area that's what I recommend. Often times the drag washer itself doesn't fill all the usable area. Many bait casting reels are like this.
If this is so on this reel, and you can measure the size needed, I will send you one.
Quote from: handi2 on June 24, 2016, 11:30:35 PM
Quote from: fIsHsTiiCkS on June 07, 2015, 03:32:55 PM
I would swap out the drags with carbontex from Dawn, yes the under gear as well. Then see what you are getting. Sometimes these washers are warn, even from the factory.
If it's possible to use a Carbontex drag washer with more surface area that's what I recommend. Often times the drag washer itself doesn't fill all the usable area. Many bait casting reels are like this.
If this is so on this reel, and you can measure the size needed, I will send you one.
Really????
you guys are awesome. I'll check it this weekend.
thx
Quote from: handi2 on June 24, 2016, 11:30:35 PM
Quote from: fIsHsTiiCkS on June 07, 2015, 03:32:55 PM
I would swap out the drags with carbontex from Dawn, yes the under gear as well. Then see what you are getting. Sometimes these washers are warn, even from the factory.
If it's possible to use a Carbontex drag washer with more surface area that's what I recommend. Often times the drag washer itself doesn't fill all the usable area. Many bait casting reels are like this.
If this is so on this reel, and you can measure the size needed, I will send you one.
I was able to measure it tonight. Don't have all the fancy tools you guys got but it looks like it's 8mm id, 13mm od, and 1mm thick.
I conferred with dawn as well. Her drag washer for the set is 12.95mm x 8.10 x 1.