This is a complete disassembly and assembly tutorial for the Cabela's Depthmaster II DM30 and DM45 Levelwind Reels which are manufactured by Okuma. The DM15, DM15a, DM30a, and DM45a are similar in construction, so this tutorial will also cover them.
Since there are tons of high resolution photos I wrote the tutorial in MS Word and converted it to PDF format; this reduced the total size from ~900 Mbytes to about 20 Mbytes. I split the tutorial into 6 files (3 assembly and 3 disassembly).
The 3 disassembly tutorial files are attached.
Enjoy and Tight Lines,
David
P.S. I want to thank Alan Tani and to everyone else who has posted a tip or tutorial for inspiring me to put this together. I have learned a lot from all of you. Thanks!
The 3 assembly tutorial files are attached.
Part 6 also includes instructions for synchronizing the spool with the Levelwind mechanism after assembly.
Schematics for DM30, DM45, and DM30a are attached for reference.
wow!!!! that was impressive!!!! when you get a chance, could you please send me a pm with your mailing address? i have something that i wish to mail to you. thanks! alan
Wow. Great work. I haven't done a tutorial in years because servicing complex reels are hard enough. But I guess I should do a few more. Thank you for re-inspiring me.
Thanks guys, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
My next tutorial will probably be for a reasonably priced spinning reel. They have half as many parts, so it will be considerably shorter. ;)
The DM30 and DM45 use identical ball bearing sizes. If you need to order replacements the Spool Bearing Sizes are:
11mm OD x 4mm ID x 4 mm Thick
16mm OD x 8mm ID x 5mm Thick
Hi...I am about to undertake a Depthmaster DM30 thanks to your tutorial and have a question about drag washer sizes..You mentioned you got them from Dawn at Smoothdrag but done see anything on her site about this reel...Is this the same as one of the Okumas you mentioned..Might be easier to order for the Okuma if I know what one...Anyway hope this question makes some sense to you and appreciate your help....
Wow, Weye, that's a new standard set for tutorials! Very well done!
Sid
Quote from: Noviceman on December 12, 2017, 02:50:04 PM
Hi...I am about to undertake a Depthmaster DM30 thanks to your tutorial and have a question about drag washer sizes..You mentioned you got them from Dawn at Smoothdrag but done see anything on her site about this reel...Is this the same as one of the Okumas you mentioned..Might be easier to order for the Okuma if I know what one...Anyway hope this question makes some sense to you and appreciate your help....
From what I read here if you call and talk to her she will hook you up with the correct drag washer.
I have a dozen of these reels, I was going to send them off to a reel guy in ludington but I am building my confidence to undertake it myself.
Weye - Thanks, very well done Sir!
Have called Dawn before on Cabelas reels and she doesnt have any info unless you know who made the exact reel and matching number etc..anyway thats why I asked which okuma would be the same cf washers....Want to order before I rip into it...Good luck on yours..The tutorial looks very thorough..
Quote from: Noviceman on December 12, 2017, 04:04:06 PM
Have called Dawn before on Cabelas reels and she doesnt have any info unless you know who made the exact reel and matching number etc..anyway thats why I asked which okuma would be the same cf washers....Want to order before I rip into it...Good luck on yours..The tutorial looks very thorough..
Ok, sorry, good to know.
I will defer to OP to share his order details from Dawn.
No need to be sorry for anything....I should be sorry for not reading all the notes...there is a website listed in his tutorial that has cabelas washers and parts available which I didnt notice earlier....
http://stores.tunasreeltroubles.com/dm-iii-30-dm-iii-30b/ .....Think I did this right? Anyway hope this helps you....And Merry Christmas..
Hello everyone.
I bought my drag washer sets for Cabelas DM reels from tunasreeltroubles.com since they offer the set (very convenient). There is a high probability that the levelwind parts are damaged and need replacement; you can order those at the same time. Note that when you hover the mouse pointer over "Cabela's Reel Parts" a menu will pop up where you select if it is a "Depthmaster", "Depthmaster II", "Depthmaster III" or "Depthmaster Gold" reel and when you hover over the series it will bring up the different sizes of reels. Select the correct size from that menu to display the correct parts catalog. Cabela's marks the series name on the top of the reel, so there is no need to guess - just read the markings.
The undergear washer I used is a Carbontex #10 that I bought from Dawn at smoothdrag.com because it was not part of the tuna's reel troubles set at the time when I did the upgrades on the Depthmaster reels (looking at the website today it shows the undergear washer is included in tuna's set). I selected it by measuring the original washer with calipers and selecting the closest match from the list of smoothdrag washer sizes. I have done this for many freshwater reels when Dawn doesn't have any washer set listed.
Many of the store brand reels are not exactly the same as the models the manufacturer sells, so I don't know if there is an exact Okuma match (I think the answer is probably no). I usually google some of the part numbers listed on the exploded diagram to see who actually manufactured the reel.
Noviceman, enjoy yourself on the Depthmaster cleaning and upgrades - I put all the little tricks I figured out when working on these into the tutorial so it will be easier than the first one I disassembled. [It's easier for me too this way - it's easy to forget the quirky stuff.]
David
Well thanks for all the info.....Yours was about the most detailed tutorial I have ever seen....Must have taken a few hours/days etc...I used mine down in Marathon, Fl on the atlantic side for about 3 years and it worked great except the linecounter seemed sticky at times....anyway got into taking apart and cleaning reels a fewmonths ago just for fun and have gotten about a dozen off ebay....Still looking for a cheap 49 but no hurry...anyway have this cabelas depthmaster and a Shimano tekota to clean etc....
Merry Christmas to you and yours.... Keep warm....Its 9 above zero here in NE Wisconsin...
Noviceman,
It's about 20 here this morning on the Colorado front range. Reel cleaning is a great activity for those cold winter days/nights. I use my Depthmasters with segmented leadcore for Kokanee Salmon, Lake Trout, and Walleye fishing. The levelwind pawls wear out every few seasons for me, but no other issues. For the price it's a surprisingly well built reel, and with the carbon fiber drag and improved handle they are a pleasure to use. No linecounter issues yet, but that is sold as a unit so it's really easy to fix.
I spent a couple weeks of evenings on the tutorial and really enjoyed putting it together. I figured that someone using it may have never cleaned a reel before, so I tried to cover everything. I wanted to pay back the alantani.com forum posters for everything I learned by reading their posts, and Alan Tani for creating this awesome community. I am hoping to find time this winter to put together a couple more tutorials while I dream of warmer water and big fish....
David
Hi David,
I finally got around opening up my Cabelas Depthmasters 30 and it had CF drag washers in it already (that was a surprise). I am checking out your tutorial as I think I messed up the anti reverse pawl placement, handle keeps binding.
Gobi King,
It's nice to hear that the current model has CF drag washers; they were badly needed on the older reels. There should be good enough photos of the anti reverse pawl in the tutorial that you can see if it's installed correctly. Verify that the spring on the anti reverse pawl is correctly install while you are in there.
If you get stuck, let me know.
David
I am impressed by that tutorial. On a scale of 10, I give that tutorial 9.5 Alan Tani wrenches. I officially am coining the phrase Alan Tani Wrenches. From now on the site we can rate anything (that requires a rating) from 1 to 10 Alan Tani wrenches. Dominick
Quote from: WeyeFisherCO on February 27, 2018, 01:36:00 AM
Gobi King,
It's nice to hear that the current model has CF drag washers; they were badly needed on the older reels. There should be good enough photos of the anti reverse pawl in the tutorial that you can see if it's installed correctly. Verify that the spring on the anti reverse pawl is correctly install while you are in there.
If you get stuck, let me know.
David
David,
Here is a pic, the pawl seems to jump up and sit on top of the anti reverse thing.
I am guess I am not pushing the pivot pin far enough into the hole?
Gobi King,
If you look at Part 5 of the tutorial, you will see that I assemble the Drive Shaft to the Hold plate before installing the anti-reverse Pawl and Pin (on pages 14 and 15). Then after the entire Hold plate assembly is reassembled, I install it in the right side of the case. After all the hold plate screws are installed I attach the anti-revers spring to the post (pages 16 and 17).
I found this the easiest way to avoid the problem you are having with the anti-reverse pawl.
You may be able to fix this without removing the Drive Shaft from the right side of the case by disconnecting the anti-reverse spring from the post, then reinstall the Hold plate (while taking care to keep the anti-reverse pawl away from anti-reverse gear) before reattaching the anti-reverse spring.
I confess that the first time I disassembled one of the Depthmaster reels that I removed all the screws from the Hold plate (like you just did). I soon realized that it is easier to leave the center screw (to the drive shaft) installed and deal with the Hold plate as an assembly.
I hope these tips help,
David
Quote from: Dominick on February 27, 2018, 03:14:04 AM
I am impressed by that tutorial. On a scale of 10, I give that tutorial 9.5 Alan Tani wrenches. I officially am coining the phrase Alan Tani Wrenches. From now on the site we can rate anything (that requires a rating) from 1 to 10 Alan Tani wrenches. Dominick
Dominick,
I am honored to receive a "
9.5 Alan Tani wrenches" rating for this tutorial. Obviously the judging criteria is very strict. Perhaps with practice and hard work my next tutorial will score even higher. ;)
Thanks,
David
Subjectively it was a 10 but like the Olympics, judges do not give a perfect score. :) Dominick
Quote from: WeyeFisherCO on February 28, 2018, 03:03:01 AM
Gobi King,
If you look at Part 5 of the tutorial, you will see that I assemble the Drive Shaft to the Hold plate before installing the anti-reverse Pawl and Pin (on pages 14 and 15). Then after the entire Hold plate assembly is reassembled, I install it in the right side of the case. After all the hold plate screws are installed I attach the anti-revers spring to the post (pages 16 and 17).
I found this the easiest way to avoid the problem you are having with the anti-reverse pawl.
You may be able to fix this without removing the Drive Shaft from the right side of the case by disconnecting the anti-reverse spring from the post, then reinstall the Hold plate (while taking care to keep the anti-reverse pawl away from anti-reverse gear) before reattaching the anti-reverse spring.
I confess that the first time I disassembled one of the Depthmaster reels that I removed all the screws from the Hold plate (like you just did). I soon realized that it is easier to leave the center screw (to the drive shaft) installed and deal with the Hold plate as an assembly.
I hope these tips help,
David
David, that makes sense. I will put back in first without the spring. Phew, I thought I broke something rushing to finish it.
Danke!
Quote from: Gobi King on February 28, 2018, 05:51:30 PM
Quote from: WeyeFisherCO on February 28, 2018, 03:03:01 AM
Gobi King,
If you look at Part 5 of the tutorial, you will see that I assemble the Drive Shaft to the Hold plate before installing the anti-reverse Pawl and Pin (on pages 14 and 15). Then after the entire Hold plate assembly is reassembled, I install it in the right side of the case. After all the hold plate screws are installed I attach the anti-revers spring to the post (pages 16 and 17).
I found this the easiest way to avoid the problem you are having with the anti-reverse pawl.
You may be able to fix this without removing the Drive Shaft from the right side of the case by disconnecting the anti-reverse spring from the post, then reinstall the Hold plate (while taking care to keep the anti-reverse pawl away from anti-reverse gear) before reattaching the anti-reverse spring.
I confess that the first time I disassembled one of the Depthmaster reels that I removed all the screws from the Hold plate (like you just did). I soon realized that it is easier to leave the center screw (to the drive shaft) installed and deal with the Hold plate as an assembly.
I hope these tips help,
David
David, that makes sense. I will put back in first without the spring. Phew, I thought I broke something rushing to finish it.
Danke!
I am happy to help. I don't think you broke anything.
Note that the bottom of the drive shaft will be flush with the bottom of the hold plate (as shown on Page 8 of part 5) when it is fully inserted. So in your case where the side plate is partially assembled the start drag must be as loose as possible (or if that doesn't get the drive shaft all the way into the hold plate you may have to remove the handle and star drag to remove the tension from the drive shaft until after it is installed in the hold plate).
You are welcome,
David
Quote from: Dominick on February 28, 2018, 04:43:12 AM
Subjectively it was a 10 but like the Olympics, judges do not give a perfect score. :) Dominick
I understand; I am also reluctant to give a perfect 10 score...
I guessed that there were technical point deductions for imperfect focus on 1% of the photos. ;D
David
Dominick,
Will you make this post sticky?
Thanks, David
David,
That did it, Thanks a bunch!
1. I did not attach the spring till the cover was on tight.
2. I made sure the shaft bushing was in the "squre" seating properly.
FYI: I have a plastic cover plate, pic coming soon.
I would give it 9.85 wrenches ;D
Quote from: Gobi King on March 05, 2018, 02:20:20 PM
David,
That did it, Thanks a bunch!
1. I did not attach the spring till the cover was on tight.
2. I made sure the shaft bushing was in the "square" seating properly.
FYI: I have cover plate is plastic, pic coming soon.
I would give it 9.85 wrenches ;D
That's great Gobi King. You are back in business!
David