OK so I have a 1500 Meter roll of 80lb braid and I need to load it onto my new Fin-Nor Santiago 30W. The reel is not a level wind reel and I do not have a spooler. What is the best way for one to tackle this task?
I would take it to a shop that has a line spooler & have them spool it for me. With what you have invested getting a shop to do it with your line is not going to be that expensive. Get prices from a couple of shops. Getting it professionaly spooled you will know it is properly tensioned onto the reel.
Rowdy's suggestion is good but where I live no one has a winder capable of filling a mid to large reel. Here is what I use,
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/IGFA19Keta/Reels/DSCN1412_zps0be5027d.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/IGFA19Keta/media/Reels/DSCN1412_zps0be5027d.jpg.html)
Clay,
I have a lot of reels and no spooler. I would get two pairs of gloves. A strong young man holds the spool, and I wind on the other end.
The young man is one of my sons. I consider this the final chore and prefer to do it be hand.
I built or serviced the reel, spooled the reel and caught the fish with the reel. ;)
From a Jigmaster to a 20/0 Everol. It makes me feel like I own it. JMO
All good suggestions and I thank ya'll for it. Having a shop do it is not out of the question but if I can do it myself I would prefer that. I do take pride in my hands being responsible for as much as possible when setting up my gear. I can rig up a make shift spooler to keep tension on the line spool, it is the laying the line level on the reel's spool that I was wondering if there was a trick for. Man that is going to be a lot of fingering if that's the only way to achieve a level line lay.
Thank you Lee. I like that.
-steve
Quote from: Nasty Wendy on April 27, 2016, 07:13:20 AM
Man that is going to be a lot of fingering if that's the only way to achieve a level line lay.
As far as I know it is.
Quote from: oc1 on April 27, 2016, 07:19:55 AM
Thank you Lee. I like that.
-steve
It works OK and was many $ less than a good line winder.
Just a word of caution! I messed up a fore-grip last week spooling braid on a reel.
I normally have a local tackle shop spool my braid but a couple weeks ago I did it my self because I was in a hurry. I put some gloves on and put tension on the line with my left hand on the fore-grip while cranking with my right. It's hard to describe exactly how I was holding the line but I was able to get good tension with the line coming around the bottom of my hand while guiding it between my thumb and forefinger. What I didn't realize was that I was forcing the line across the fore-grip. Now I have a small slice in the shrink wrap on the grip where the line cut into it. >:(
That's where a line spooler comes in. Load spool of line - attach reel - adjust drag (usually 10lbs) - press button - no problem ;D
I have a older Penn International 50tw that I use as a "slave reel". I first wind the line onto that reel with as much pressure as I can, usually using a method like what Lee (Keta) posted and then I set the drag on the slave reel to what ever pressure is desired, usually 25% of the line. I then sit in my chair with a fighting belt and a small cooler with a couple beers nearby and carefully crank the line onto the reel that needs to be spooled methodically. Sometimes I have to use the low gear and it takes awhile. I levelwind the line with my finger as I go. A piece of bicycle inner tube from a narrow rim wheel cut in a small piece works good as a finger stall. I mounted some 15 degree rod holders in my outdoor work bench to assist me.
If you have access to a line winder do that. You have to get the braid on tight. I put it on my Tiagra 50 wides this spring to turn them into 80's and the 30 wides are now 50's with the braid. It was put one with 15lbs of drag using a Triangle HD-140 line winder.
These reels are for trolling only.
That's mighty hard to do by hand or any other way.
Quote from: conchydong on April 28, 2016, 12:11:07 AM
I have a older Penn International 50tw that I use as a "slave reel". I first wind the line onto that reel with as much pressure as I can, usually using a method like what Lee (Keta) posted and then I set the drag on the slave reel to what ever pressure is desired, usually 25% of the line. I then sit in my chair with a fighting belt and a small cooler with a couple beers nearby and carefully crank the line onto the reel that needs to be spooled methodically. Sometimes I have to use the low gear and it takes awhile. I levelwind the line with my finger as I go. A piece of bicycle inner tube from a narrow rim wheel cut in a small piece works good as a finger stall. I mounted some 15 degree rod holders in my outdoor work bench to assist me.
I've done that before with a Penn Peer I believe the model is a 309. That reel won't hold nearly enough line to spool the FinNor 30w. Its a great technique giving you the ability to dial in the drag on the 'slave' reel that has to pulled against and lay the line tight.
Thanks for the input guys. I'm going to give my local shop a call and ask what their fee is for this service.
Quote from: xaf on April 27, 2016, 05:16:27 PM
Just a word of caution! I messed up a fore-grip last week spooling braid on a reel.
I normally have a local tackle shop spool my braid but a couple weeks ago I did it my self because I was in a hurry. I put some gloves on and put tension on the line with my left hand on the fore-grip while cranking with my right. It's hard to describe exactly how I was holding the line but I was able to get good tension with the line coming around the bottom of my hand while guiding it between my thumb and forefinger. What I didn't realize was that I was forcing the line across the fore-grip. Now I have a small slice in the shrink wrap on the grip where the line cut into it. >:(
Never, never put tension on Spectra that way. It heats the line and can damage it. Put tension on the spool, not the line,
The way I used to do it before building a spooler was to put a metal rod, several feet long through the spool, and put the spool on a piece of junk carpet. I'd place my feet on the rod, either side of the spool, press down, and start winding. Don't do this on your good carpet, as it will melt it. The other way was to get another person, wearing gloves, to hold the rod and put tension on the spool (not the line) and start winding.
Braid + big game reel + loose pack = braid bite.
I just removed the headers off two spools today. Here is what it looks like.
The line spooler is the best option for sure but I understand people wanting to do it themselves.
If people have good suggestions of how to get a ton of drag to hand wind, I'm all ears. I need to respool these two and would love to avoid paying for it.
Using all these Rube Goldberg setups might work good enough on smaller reels but making a mistake on a larger reel & getting a loose spot with a monster on the line & have it dig in solid only leaves you 3 options. Let go of the rod, Get your knife quick & cut the line, or Go body surfing behind a monster. :o ;D ;D
Quote from: RowdyW on April 28, 2016, 04:44:15 AM
Using all these Rube Goldberg setups might work good enough on smaller reels but making a mistake on a larger reel & getting a loose spot with a monster on the line & have it dig in solid only leaves you 3 options. Let go of the rod, Get your knife quick & cut the line, or Go body surfing behind a monster. :o ;D ;D
That's why I pull off the topshots whenever I buy a used reel. I never assume the guy before me did it correctly. In this scenario, it would have been a disaster......
This is what I used to build my spooler. It can be used with hand cranking.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bees-Knees-Reel-Spooler-/291174432223
Quote from: day0ne on April 28, 2016, 05:30:51 AM
This is what I used to build my spooler. It can be used with hand cranking.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bees-Knees-Reel-Spooler-/291174432223
Where is the line guide? How will it measure the drag? Not much better then Lee's setup but more money. Probably will work with mono but not with braid.
I have the bees knees spooler too. It's really good for the money. It has greased carbontex drag washers inside the housing. It puts out a uniform drag. I mounted it to a wooden board and I drive my truck over the board. It works well. I haven't tested to see what kind of max drag I can get out of it. The biggest issue is cranking it in under heavy load.
Dacron and mono are no problem. I still haven't tested it with braid.
It's way better than the homemade setups that I've built in the past.
Quote from: RowdyW on April 28, 2016, 05:39:32 AM
Quote from: day0ne on April 28, 2016, 05:30:51 AM
This is what I used to build my spooler. It can be used with hand cranking.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bees-Knees-Reel-Spooler-/291174432223
Where is the line guide? How will it measure the drag? Not much better then Lee's setup but more money. Probably will work with mono but not with braid.
Works great with braid! If you are spooling by hand, why would you need a line guide? You measure drag with a scale, as usual. As stated, I use it as part of a power winder, but it can be used to hand wind. Watch the film!
If winding by hand use one of these - a re-cycled sic rod tip:
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/10_zps7d5c465e.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/10_zps7d5c465e.jpg.html)
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/9_zps4f42ff57.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/9_zps4f42ff57.jpg.html)
Save your fingers ;)
Better still make one of these:
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/1_zps4bef5e13.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/1_zps4bef5e13.jpg.html)
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/3_zps5e62cc3e.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/3_zps5e62cc3e.jpg.html)
No more tired arms and hands :D
Quote from: RowdyW on April 28, 2016, 05:39:32 AM
Quote from: day0ne on April 28, 2016, 05:30:51 AM
This is what I used to build my spooler. It can be used with hand cranking.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bees-Knees-Reel-Spooler-/291174432223
Where is the line guide? How will it measure the drag? Not much better then Lee's setup but more money. Probably will work with mono but not with braid.
What I have to use works but a line winder works much better. The balls tend to heat up and melt the spool when spooling anything over a 30 so I have to stop. I have used it to spook Penn 70's. I use a bent butt and harness to hold the reel and a vice to hold the tensioner. The best I can say about it is it works better than nothing.
Quote from: day0ne on April 28, 2016, 06:21:45 AM
Works great with braid! If you are spooling by hand, why would you need a line guide? You measure drag with a scale, as usual. As stated, I use it as part of a power winder, but it can be used to hand wind. Watch the film!
With tensioning on a spool the drag increases as the spool empties.
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 28, 2016, 07:59:02 AM
If winding by hand use one of these - a re-cycled sic rod tip:
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/10_zps7d5c465e.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/10_zps7d5c465e.jpg.html)
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/9_zps4f42ff57.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/9_zps4f42ff57.jpg.html)
Save your fingers ;)
Better still make one of these:
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/1_zps4bef5e13.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/1_zps4bef5e13.jpg.html)
(http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/Tiddlerbasher/Line%20spooler/3_zps5e62cc3e.jpg) (http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Tiddlerbasher/media/Line%20spooler/3_zps5e62cc3e.jpg.html)
No more tired arms and hands :D
Did you build that winding machine? That device looks amazing.
Yup I did. It was an on going project for a couple of months. It did need 'beefing up' in a couple of places, it's surprising how much stress is generated on the various parts. Now it will spool line with up to 20lb of drag (usually 10lb in practice). And it will accept just about any reel size (except maybe Daron's Everol) both conventional and spinner. I also use it for stripping line on the bigger reels. It was certainly worth the effort :)
If your interested there is a full description here:
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=11452.0
Jerry Brown says 10# is all that is needed to properly load Spectra on a spool. Your handiwork is very impressive.
I'm reading your thread now. That device is a work of art.
Thanks guys -didn't mean to high jack the thread ;)
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on April 28, 2016, 03:19:04 PM
Thanks guys -didn't mean to high jack the thread ;)
You didn't hijack, you provided the solution.
:)
I worked in a tackle shop and have spooled 100's if not 1000's of reels. Lighter spectra say 65 and below 5-7 lbs of drag is all that's needed and lines 80 to 200 lb 10 to 12 lbs. Spectra will only compress in diameter so much, so any more drag applied when spooling just makes for more work for the spooling machine or the person doing the winding.
Most of the shops around here do the spooling free when you buy the spectra from them, though buying in bulk can save you money, but now that leaves the spooling to you. If I knew the people or they bought enough stuff at the shop I worked at and they brought a reel or two to be spooled with their own spectra I did it for free, but if they brought several reels and their own spectra...well lets just say they needed to spend a good amount on our other stuff to get the free spooling.
Great info. I may attempt to build a line winder now. ;D It won't be soon though. A thread isn't highjacked until the topic is changed so there was absolutely no highjacking going on. Thanks for the idea Tiddlerbasher.
AND I love that level winder. ;D
What a dummy I am. >: ( Dayone, You are right about putting tension on the spool and not the line it self. It absolutely makes sense. I don't know why I never thought of that.
Quote from: xaf on April 29, 2016, 03:56:28 AM
What a dummy I am. >: ( Dayone, You are right about putting tension on the spool and not the line it self. It absolutely makes sense. I don't know why I never thought of that.
I learned the hard way.
Well I did pay my local shop $8 to spool it. I plan on taking it out this weekend.
My first try at this question got sent as pm probably to Nasty Wendy. Oops! Still learnin'... What's a diffrence when it comes to drag tension relative to different line types? Drag tension for say, 65 lb. spectra,then how much for a 50lb. Top-shot a mono. An I gotta 6/0 Senator w/ 300yds. a 50 lb. Dacron, what kinda tension should I'a spooled that with? When I say drag tension, I'm talkin' initially spoolin' these different line types on to the reel. I ask 'cause it seems like mono would be less, 'cause of the stretch factor. Also, can you bust a spool by building up too much pressure w/ a lotta drag tension?
Gfish
In answer to Gfish- have a look at Jerry Brown's recommendation:
http://www.bhptackle.com/pages.php?pageid=36
For Spectra (and similar braids) - 10lbs drag - for any braid over 20lb breaking strain - 5-6lb for anything under.
For Dacron - 4-5 lbs
For mono - minimal (just enough to keep the server spool from over running and remove all slack)
And yes - too much tension on mono can crush or push out the sides of a spool.
Here's a purposefully low tech method for installing, removing, washing Spectra at home.
(http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n440/PMonster/Fish/LineWinder.jpg)
Two sets of fence posts set 49 yards apart. Put a 5-gallon bucket over each set (only one shown in the photo).