OK, fishing older conventional reels I've always wondered if there may be a benefit from a lighter spool.
On reels such as the PG 545, seem to have an over abundance of material or thickness in side walls of the spool.
After some thought & looking at reels of newer Star drag design they have much lighter spools for their size when compared.
I've seen some drill holes in the spool to achieve this. I believe their is a better way.
Any one have experience drilling or making spools lighter ? What's your thoughts ? ... Jeff
Buy one of those reels with the lighter spools rather than drilling out your spool!
Quote from: MarkT on June 28, 2023, 03:12:09 AMBuy one of those reels with the lighter spools rather than drilling out your spool!
Quit being so practical!
But seriously,
Drilling out the spool is something that can be done. On modern fly reels, there are more holes than metal. Don't they also make some pretty heavily ported BFS spools too?
The problem is when you get into stronger reels where you need to pack the line tight, especially thin line like braid. The packed line bulges into the cutouts, which is not good for the line. It is also can be a bit tricky to get a nice filet or chamfer where the holes meet the inside of the spool, which makes it even worse for the bulges.
Not sure what holes do to the magnetic field if you also put in a magnetic cast control.
And finally, the cutouts have to be pretty exact, so that the spool stays balanced for casting. Sort of hard to pull off.
-J
Practical or not, I'm not drilling holes in my 545 spool! If had a second spool that had corrosion, well, maybe! On my one and only? No way!
I'll drill out your Pro Gear spool for you. Like, what could possibly go wrong? Just hold my beer. :)
One of my mates drilled a spool and posted it somewhere on this site. Ill see if I can find it and put a link in his post.
PS I asked the guy for some details to help me find it, says he lost the photos but will take a new one and try to remember his "screen name", should help me find the thread.
Drilling spools beyond my paygrade, but good to see you posting, Jeff! Love to see some rod builds from you.
oh, just drill out spinner spool skirts for weight reduction:
less chance of significant error; no decrease in strength; no contact w/ line
Drilling holes in a spinning reel spool is ok, but drilling holes in a conventional reel spool will only invite major corrosion issues directly into the drive train. The 545 is a small reel and not heavy. It's the same size as a 501 jigmaster
Quote from: jurelometer on June 28, 2023, 04:24:38 AMI'll drill out your Pro Gear spool for you. Like, what could possibly go wrong? Just hold my beer. :)
Right ! Kind of the reason I'm asking ;D I'm Thinking more in the line of machined slots in the spool that don't completely pass through. I've a 545 that's pretty beat up. I'm thinking I can decrease its total weight by a good amount. Without losing any noticeable strength.
I didnt ask this from any reasonable perspective. In the end most times its better to buy newer stuff to achieve better performance as Mark was alluding to7 yes he's right. If thats your perspective. Its just a hobby thing for me. attempting to learn more than I know ... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on June 29, 2023, 03:12:18 AM...I'm Thinking more in the line of machined slots in the spool that don't completely pass through.
how good are your tools & skills?
identical/symmetrical holes are comparatively easy
much harder to remove precisely same weight of metal
for identical/symmetrical slots/divots to keep a casting spool balanced
Quote from: MarkT on June 28, 2023, 03:12:09 AMBuy one of those reels with the lighter spools rather than drilling out your spool!
Your no fun ;D
Quote from: philaroman on June 29, 2023, 04:50:39 AMQuote from: Rivverrat on June 29, 2023, 03:12:18 AM...I'm Thinking more in the line of machined slots in the spool that don't completely pass through.
how good are your tools & skills?
identical/symmetrical holes are comparatively easy
much harder to remove precisely same weight of metal
for identical/symmetrical slots/divots to keep a casting spool balanced
Spool would be worked on a mill.
:) Well if the spool side are heavy walled ,i would chuck it up in a lath and thin it down some .
Take material from the pate side , that will keep dirt and water `from entering the insides .
You might steal a little weight from the arbor , by drilling little pot holes 1/16 inch deep .
Quote from: thorhammer on June 28, 2023, 11:14:25 AMDrilling spools beyond my paygrade, but good to see you posting, Jeff! Love to see some rod builds from you.
Missed your post. Thanx ! ...Jeff
Quote from: oldmanjoe on June 30, 2023, 03:33:55 AM:) Well if the spool side are heavy walled ,i would chuck it up in a lath and thin it down some .
Take material from the pate side , that will keep dirt and water `from entering the insides .
You might steal a little weight from the arbor , by drilling little pot holes 1/16 inch deep .
Joe, I haven't started this project yet. What you describe is how I would go about it. If it works or fails, I have learned something either way & I'm out nothing more than my time & $20 I paid for the not so great spool... Jeff
Well now ...
That looks good to me.
Brendan.
Brendan, I didn't do this. I was just showing this as an example of someone else doing what I'm describing.
This is a Tiburon TX4N. This how they work their spools on these kits provided by Randy.
I will make a note here ... my gut is telling me the more weight that can be removed from the outside edge of spool the more dramatic the effects may be... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on July 04, 2023, 06:57:43 PMI will make a note here ... my gut is telling me the more weight that can be removed from the outside edge of spool the more dramatic the effects may be... Jeff
Correct. You are essentially trying build something with the opposite properties of a flywheel. Flywheels are designed to put as much weight as possible as far from the axis as possible, A classic flywheel is large diameter, narrow, with extra mass around the perimeter. Which is also why narrow reels don't cast as well, BTW. A bit more like a flywheel.
Rotational inertia = mass*radius
2.
The better spool takes less energy to start tuning, and has less momentum once turning. We want the line to be pulled off the spool as fast as the payload is moving during the cast. No more, no less.
-J
Dave, I agree. It is in fact a flywheel or a fluid filled vibration damper I was thinking about . Which brought about my thinking this... Jeff