Here are a couple of options to upgrade your drags on the 700 series reels.
These will also work on the newer Penn 704Z&706Z. That's right, we also upgrade the latest brand new reels from Penn here ;D:
(https://i.imgur.com/yXPYtHu.jpg)
On the left I'm showing a 700 spool, drilled round from Penn. The orange arrow shows the new upgrade and the green arrow shows the stock washers.
The first metal washer has a little glue, you could pop it off with a small flat head screwdriver fro the underside. You will replace that washer with a thinner eared washer with the ears sanded off.
On the right I'm showing the 704 spool, drilled in the shape of an octagon.
On this one keep the first octagon metal washer in the spool and start from there.
The new keyed metal washers That I'm using are from Bryan Young and are .47mm in thickness.
The Carbon Fiber sheet is from Dawn ( Smoothdrag.com ) and is .50mm in thickness.
A perfect fit on both.
Sal
Very nice Sal. ;D You always start something that ends up costing us money! ;)
Bob
Quote from: Cone on August 03, 2014, 11:47:12 PM
Very nice Sal. ;D You always start something that ends up costing us money! ;)
Bob
Ok Bob, no more suggestions from me ;D, well maybe just one more:
Replace the Teflon washer with a Delrin washer for under the spool, part # 60-710 ;)
Ok Sal Now I understand , The post I saw on this you where using the original metal washers and a 3 stack drag with this version you have a 5 stack and new thin metals . Doug
Quote from: Doug on August 04, 2014, 12:37:11 AM
Ok Sal Now I understand , The post I saw on this you where using the original metal washers and a 3 stack drag with this version you have a 5 stack and new thin metals . Doug
Correct!
You could try with the (3) and see how it feels to you, it is still a good upgrade.
If you're going with (3), use the stock keyed washers and get yourself a carbon fiber sheet in .90mm from Erik:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Fiber-Drag-Sheet-Fishing-Reel-Upgrade-/121243650722?pt=US_Taxidermy&var=&hash=item1c3aaf4aa2
The (3) washer stack is stronger, but the (5) would make it a little smoother.
both are a better choice.
The older vintage 700 series could also be upgraded, actually even better. You will need to cut the slots
I like the first metal washer not to rotate
(https://i.imgur.com/T9r8Wa8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dIxPVsy.jpg)
don't forget the Delrin for under the spool
(https://i.imgur.com/zhbMwCj.jpg)
and a nice fit
(https://i.imgur.com/oaZ9lLQ.jpg)
If you want to give it a shot, go for it, it took me about a minute.
I used a dremel and did it freehand, the bit that I used came from Newell Nut (Dwight), he could probably let us know where he got it from.
some grease should work for the slots.
I easily doubled the numbers on the drag, I did not test with the scale, but could tell.
This is a nice upgrade and the reel should be able to handle it nicely, lots of travel with the drags.
I'm not sure if the .50mm octagon cf washers will hold up in the 704-706 and The SS series, I know the .90mm with the (3) stack do.
It would be nice to get Bryan to make us some octagon metal washers of the same thickness as the kit,
we wouldn't have to worry then.... (5) washers sure feel nice.
Sal
How much you reckon an upgraded drag can handle on newer 704z?!
Quote from: CroMonty on August 05, 2014, 07:58:22 AM
How much you reckon an upgraded drag can handle on newer 704z?!
I would say around 20/22 lbs.
Penn is listing their 704 at 15lbs, I think they went up a little from the previous numbers, they probably realized the reel was underrated. The Z series are built like tanks, to me even better tan their V series and those have some crazy numbers on drags.
Their reels are just fine as they are, but if you want to experiment, get yourself some .90mm carbon fiber sheets and make yourself some octagon washers. The (3) washer stack is the best at the moment, this will give you (5) working surfaces on the drags.
The reel will feel smoother and the drags will increase.
When Bryan gets back, I will ask if he could make us some octagon metal washers of the same thickness as his kits.
That will feel very nice, I'm already experiencing it on the older 700.
Tnx Alto
(http://s11.postimg.org/y2vq7wbnz/Palac_gore_smiley.jpg) (http://postimage.org/)
It's nice to see the 704 family of reels getting some love. Even with the standard upgraded drag stack and greased washers I get smooth drag at a tighter setting than I fish the reels at. It would be interesting to see how your upgrades compare.
The 700 series is still very popular here on the East Coast. I see quite a few still being used to surf fish. There must be a pretty good demand for them for Penn to bring back the 704z after not producing it for 30 some years. Can you imagine if GM or Ford reintroduced a car they made in the 70's? Doug
Doug, they were not produced for about 10 years.
Youre are right I was thinking about the green ones Doug
Doug, they knew what they were doing ;).
Sacfly, yes you're right, these are nice reels out of the box. Increasing drags will make that reel even smoother at the numbers you're fishing it at and it is nice to have a little more in reserve for when needed.
By the way, I tested the drags on the 700 and was very pleased, no effort turning the knob to get it to 20lb. I recommend what I did on the 700 to everyone.
On the 704, I would like to get some custom octagon metal washers, but the (3) will sure help it.
I used a dremel and did it freehand, the bit that I used came from Newell Nut (Dwight), he could probably let us know where he got it from.
[/quote]
http://www.kyoceratycom.com/products/pcb_routers_series4100.html
Okay guys it has been a long time ago since I bought any of these cutters since they last a very long time. They are designed for cutting circuit boards. Scroll to the bottom of the link to see the numbers for the ones that I use. 1/8 is the largest size. You may find something you like better. They are eating machines and tough.
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/IMG_0271_zps7a0fe91e.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/IMG_0271_zps7a0fe91e.jpg.html)
Thanks Dwight! I wasn't thinking about safety, I'm used to cutting freehand, but usually I use these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130885906276?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
these can touch you and won't cut you, they're similar to the bits the dentist uses in your mouth.
If you want to use that same bit from Dwight, I would think about it, that one will cut you.
Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that one.
I use mine freehand but I have the long flexible shaft on my dremel. I can create some neat stuff with those bits and they last for years. You are not supposed to use the darn things for trimming your nails you know. That is risky. ;D
;D ;D
I wasn't worried about me I don't have an issue using it, but I've been using power tools for a long time.
Can't just go in there with that bit, you have to work it and show who's the boss ;).
Those bits mean business, I'm still using the first one you gave me last year.
That bit will last you years. If it ever breaks I have some to share buddy. No need for you to buy any. I bought a box of those things for $5 at a tool flea market about 20 years ago and only broke 1 I think. I like them so much that I bought 10 more bits just to stash away.
Let me refresh your memory old man, you sent me three of those bits, not one. From what I've seen so far, I'm set for life ;), the first is still cutting as it just came out of the box.
Are those any good at double dogging plates?
No, those will make a mess on the plate. The bits that have been working out for me are the ones I'm showing at the top of this page, those will also last a long time.
That reminds me, I need to order another set.
Bit number 3 and number 9 from the right, do a great job on plates.