Going to use one of my 2091's and probably my 2081. Questioning whether to use the leather drags or save them and use carbonex. Thoughts?
How old'er the leather ones?
If you're going to fish the reel, carbon fiber is the best choice. 8)
The leather is in very good shape. I actually like leather. But, figured it best to save them for a future restoration.
BTW, does everyone use carbonex on the underspool washers?
If the under spool washer is intended to be a drag washer (like some of the Okumas) then use cf - otherwise I would use delrin ;)
I guess realistically, it depends on what fish you target as to what drag material is needed. If you stand a chance of hooking a fish that will rip off 100yds. of line, carbon fiber in the spool and delrin under it is the ticket. If your targeted fish rarely runs far, the whole thing may be a mute issue. Also, intended drag power affects material choice. There is nothing smoother than Teflon, but it only works good at lower power settings. It will crush at high drag numbers. Leather can be silky smooth under 5lbs., but as the power increases it starts to chatter. I've found the best thing to do is experiment, because every reel is different, and results on the water can defy results on paper. 8)
Replace the leather with CF.
Quote from: mo65 on February 27, 2018, 04:11:39 AM
If you're going to fish the reel, carbon fiber is the best choice. 8)
Quote from: Keta on February 27, 2018, 04:33:14 PM
Replace the leather with CF.
X3
X4...
The leather will be very sticky at any higher drag.
Experience the reel as it was meant to be. Leather.
-steve
Thanks guys!
Quote from: oc1 on February 27, 2018, 09:54:00 PM
Experience the reel as it was meant to be. Leather.
-steve
Steve could have a point, but first decide, "Do I want to experience the reel or catch more fish with fewer problems?" It's possible he may be humored if you agree to try both :)
Quote from: sdlehr on February 28, 2018, 04:14:57 AM
Quote from: oc1 on February 27, 2018, 09:54:00 PM
Experience the reel as it was meant to be. Leather.
-steve
Steve could have a point, but first decide, "Do I want to experience the reel or catch more fish with fewer problems?" It's possible he may be humored if you agree to try both :)
This assumes that you are using the same fishing line as was used back in the day. You may run into problems with modern fishing lines.
Those reels did not come out until well into the monofilament age. There is still plenty of stiff crappy monofilament around.
You guys have a weird fixation with carbon fiber drags. It may be the best material for a tuna/marlin reel where you need to dissipate a lot of heat. But, every reel does need to have carbon fiber drags. We're talking about a surf reel here. If the leather is not dried out and crumbling it will have the stopping power and be plenty smooth. There is no sacrifice or handicap.
-steve
Can't speak for the 2081 or other spinners, but the original leather washers in my 5500C have held up remarkably well and stayed smooth for over 35 years. When I rebuilt it last year I almost put CFs in it, but instead opted for identical (NOS?) Ambassadeur leather washers I found locally. They are super smooth. When I scraped the flaky black film off the old washer the leather looked and felt as good as the new one!
Each to his own :-\ A smooth predictable drag is everything to me - so I go with greased cf. A lightly used reel will go several seasons with cf - other drag materials I'm not so sure imho.
Ordering some carbonex drag washers. Leather washers are in very good condition. This reel will be used for catfishing. Instead of wearing out the originals, going to save them. Thanks for all the input!
BTW, IMO leather washers work pretty good. Not as good as greased carbonex, but not too bad either.
Quote from: Chuck750ss on March 01, 2018, 02:55:17 AM
BTW, IMO leather washers work pretty good. Not as good as greased carbonex, but not too bad either.
Exactly...I couldn't have said it better. There's a huge misconception that leather is horrible. They work good, carbon fiber just works a little better. I think the
real advantage of carbon fiber is that it lasts longer, and it's easier maintained. Oil seems to wreck leather, and they're inside the main gear...how ya gonna keep oil off that? 8)
Yeah man, but leather is nnnaatural...Organic, man. Acourse, there's organic and inorganic forms of carbon, but c-tex has gotta be inorganic.
I've had leather get herky-jerky and I've had carbontex get herky-jerky. Wouldn't get two years out of either one. My most modern reel (shimano) with the one big carbon washer and concave pressure plate won't get a month of heavy use without needing some attention. There is the age old debate about whether leather should be run dry or lubricated. I've always put reel oil on them by letting it run down the side of the sleeve and into the main.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on March 01, 2018, 04:51:40 AM
I've had leather get herky-jerky and I've had carbontex get herky-jerky. Wouldn't get two years out of either one. My most modern reel (shimano) with the one big carbon washer and concave pressure plate won't get a month of heavy use without needing some attention. There is the age old debate about whether leather should be run dry or lubricated. I've always put reel oil on them by letting it run down the side of the sleeve and into the main.
-steve
And why they use that concave metal washer is beyond me.
Yeah, it seems like the start-up pressure to get the drag moving would be higher with the larger diameter and narrow pressure point. That would make it more jerky when getting over that start-up hump thing.
-steve
Quote from: handi2 on March 19, 2018, 11:35:08 PM
And why they use that concave metal washer is beyond me.
If they used a regular flat washer, it would likely end up convex because of the very wide diameter pressure plate acting upon the perimeter narrow drag washer. Plus it would likely end up permanently deformed to some degree.
The large diameter concave washer should assume a near flat profile under pressure.
At least that was my take on it?
~