Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Conventional and Bait Casting Reel Rebuild Tutorials and Questions => Penn International Tutorials and Questions => Topic started by: STB on September 20, 2020, 01:18:12 AM

Title: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: STB on September 20, 2020, 01:18:12 AM
Hi,

I was recently given a Penn International 12T and was wondering how I can possibly get more drag out of it? I saw possibly changing the Belleville washer orientation from(()) to ()() will help increase the drag.  Any other things I can do? I Want to use it for pulling diving plugs for wahoo that range from 30-40lbs in my area.

Thanks!

Bobby
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: handi2 on September 20, 2020, 07:50:48 PM
That would be a blast using that reel for WeeHoo's. I would try taller configuration but use a scale to test the drag. You may lose freespool but for your application it wouldn't matter. You might get 12 lbs of drag.

Keith
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: Tightlines667 on September 20, 2020, 09:22:06 PM
Here's one of those 'wee-hoos'....
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: Tightlines667 on September 20, 2020, 09:23:39 PM
& a lil better models...
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: SoCalAngler on September 20, 2020, 10:46:05 PM
Cal Sheets does blue printing of the 12's for $75, plus much more if wanted like two speeding them. Just changing the bellevile's won't offer that much more in total drag IMO. Maybe give Cal a call and see what he can do for you. Google Cal's Two Speed for prices and contact info.
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: alantani on September 20, 2020, 11:43:43 PM
the belleville configuration of "(())" is already stiffer and will give a steeper drag range than "()()".  you might have to go to "))))" to see any more increase.  thicker bellevilles might also be an option.  measure the ones you have and then do a search at mcmaster.com for something thicker. 
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: Robert Janssen on September 21, 2020, 07:26:29 AM
Quote
  you might have to go to "))))" to see any more increase....

Careful with that, though. If we are looking at the reel from the operator's point of view, then the leftmost spring washer will ride on or dig into the spool bearing. So avoiding that will entail ())) or a flat washer inbetween |))))

Really though, messing with the belleville stack often entails a functional compromise somewhere. Seriously consider just getting thicker spring washers as previously mentioned and using the correct stack arrangement.

.
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: STB on September 21, 2020, 12:33:15 PM
Thanks you all for the advise
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: alantani on September 21, 2020, 03:52:52 PM
yeah, the cupped side needs to go up against the main gear. 
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: Jimmer on September 21, 2020, 03:56:28 PM
I had Cal 2 speed a 12T with an open top tiburon frame a few years back and he advised against trying for more than 12lb of drag out of it.. Just my .02 - Jimmer
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: David Hall on September 21, 2020, 05:38:17 PM
for a small fortune Cal can get a lot more than that.  Mine was getting 8lbs of drag at strike.  I sent it to Cal and it came back.
Now I get 22lbs at strike and over 30 at full.  It was a lot more than $75 though. for what I have in the reel money wise, I could have purchased a Makaira 15T and had money leftover.
But I do like it a lot and wouldn't hesitate to use it up to 100# class fish.
Title: Re: Penn International 12T drag question
Post by: Swami805 on September 21, 2020, 08:49:41 PM
I had Cal do my 12T before they made 2 speeds, a topless frame and it's money. I use it for 50-60lb since that's what he set it up for. Still using it.
Bang for your buck? That's a tough call these days. There's some great reels for less money than a frame and a trip to Cal