Been putting this off long enough. Time to upgrade my Pro Gear 545. For those who aren't familiar with a 545, it is a duplicate of a Jigmaster 501, but has 113H bridge, gears, and a "punched out" jigmaster yoke and a 113h spool shaft
Here in the pics you'll see 501 compared to the 545. To the left of the reels are what you'd expect to go in a 113H(bottom left yoke, jack & eccentric), and what actually goes into this reel is a jigmaster eccentric and jack, and a jigmaster yoke that has been punched out to accept 113h pinion.
This reel definitely needed some attention.
Alans DD bridge, sleeve and jack, ...and Bryans custom yoke....4/1 steel gears....HT-100 drags greased with Cals and delrin on top and under. Only thing it's missing is the harness lugs. This little tank could use them !!!
BTW, all the custom internals were direct bolt in with not a single hiccup.
Ted
Wow...that's a cool reel! I need to read up on Pro Gear, thanks for the peek at yours Ted. 8)
Sweet!
Very nice Ted and the perfect size reel.
Capacity wise the 545 is more of a 99, Newell 332, Torium/Trinidad 20, Daiwa 40. Mine has the DD bridge, steel gear stud, Bryans drag stack.
Definitely a tank.
Quote from: MarkT on April 11, 2017, 12:44:37 AM
Capacity wise the 545 is more of a 99, Newell 332, Torium/Trinidad 20, Daiwa 40. Mine has the DD bridge, steel gear stud, Bryans drag stack.
Mark, is your 545 a different width than mine ??
This 545 has exactly same spool as a 501, but has 113H shaft. The silver spool pictured is 99(noticeably wider than 545), and blue and black are 501. Same size as a 1/0 senator and same size as this 545
It's rated at 350yds of 25#. I think I have 300yds of 65# spectra and a topshot of 30#. Width of the 501 looks the same. How about the diameter and depth of spool?
sweet reel Ted, love those 545's, my favorite pro gear. thanks for posting
I'd say the 545 is my 2nd or third favorite Pro Gear. The Albacore Special 280 is my favorite and I really like the 255 too.
Beautiful capable reel Ted.
Sal
Nice reel, my black pro gear 255 is one of my favorites. I would like to try the derlin washer on the top of the drag stack and under the main gear as I see many are doing. Where do you get the derlin washers for this reel?
Thanks,
Paul
I believe you can get them from SmoothDrag. Ask for the jigmaster size.
so, I have been using the delrin washer under the main gear on my penns/newels/pro gears with good results. for the delrin on top of the stack, is that a different type of washer? to serve as a Bellville? McMaster-carr as a source?
Quote from: vilters on April 12, 2017, 07:46:49 PM
so, I have been using the delrin washer under the main gear on my penns/newels/pro gears with good results. for the delrin on top of the stack, is that a different type of washer? to serve as a Bellville? McMaster-carr as a source?
It's the same as the under gear delrin washer. I just put it right below the cupped washer on all my 113H reels. Jigmaster too, smooth as silk with the delrin above and below.
Quote from: vilters on April 12, 2017, 07:46:49 PM
so, I have been using the delrin washer under the main gear on my penns/newels/pro gears with good results. for the delrin on top of the stack, is that a different type of washer? to serve as a Bellville? McMaster-carr as a source?
It could be.
I've been using these instead of the metal spring washer for appro. 3 years with great results:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#3573A17
Here is the problem though, these will only work in the Jigmaster without alteration.
To me, it is the best setup you could have, but only if you're able to use ProChallenger's custom spacer sleeve.
if you use a stock sleeve, it will eventually cut itway through the delrin cupped washer.
thanks for the replies guys. I already ruined a couple pro challenger sleeves trying to make them fit an aluminum sideplate, so i'll have to figure that one out.
Very nice Ted! To me the 545 is the bomb. Its one of my fav's.
A tough bird to start with has just been taken to the next level. Excellent job.
...............Lou
Thanks guys, for the info on the derlin washers... will be ordering some from McMaster Carr.
Sal, why is it that the pro challenger spacer sleeve does not cut through the derlin washer but the stock spacer does? Just curious about the difference between the two.
Paul
Paul, penn stock spacer sleeves are @ .80mm, ProChallenger's are 1.70mm wall thickness.., a little more than double.
Don't try to use ProChallenger's spacer sleeves with the custom aluminum plates, those won't fit, but they do fit in stock plates though.
Sal
Sal,
Now I understand - thanks. I will measure the hole in the side plate on my pro gear 545 to be sure it can accommodate the larger sized spacer sleeve that works with the coned derlin washer at the top of the drag stack.
Paul