I have searched around to try and find the differences between these two reels. All I have come up with so far is the stw doesn't have to have the gears adjusted when rebuilding. Is there something else I am missing?
Not sure, brother, but someone will chime in later....I'm just a smaller Penn guy.....bill
Call Cal; he's happy to help you.
Take a hard look at the parts available for these obsolete, discontinued reels. If you can find, if there is such a thing, as a DuraDrag replacement for these reels, buy it. Otherwise you dumb them down to 50 parts. Stutz Bearcat, Studebaker, Saturn, Scion.
Are you asking for the knowing, or asking for the buying??!?! :o
The STW has a different 2 speed mechanism.. which is simplier (i.e. more reliable), holds more line, is heavier, and has a slightry different bridge and eccentric lever. Upgrading the drag, replacing bearings, and ratchet plates shouldn'the be a problem on either. LMK if there is a particular part you are looking for.
The 80STW:
950/80 -- 4 -- 3.1:1 High -- 118oz
Late 80s 2001
The 80SW:
750/80 -- 4 -- 3:1 high 1.4:1 low -- 112oz
1985 Early
1990s
John