What is the purpose of this washer/spring under the drag knob of a Cardinal? In my project reel, this part is rusted/broken. If it is a "must-have" component for proper functioning, then maybe I can fashion a short coil of spring wire under the knob to perform the same function (whatever that function may be...)?
It is for the Anti Reverse lever .
I think he means the spring under drag knob -- not the A/R switch
in general, any kind of threaded control knob has play between threads
and would loosen on its own w/out some kind of spring action
wait for Card experts for DIY replacement, or available original
Thanks Phil my eyes are as Blurry as the picture ...lol
Didn't understand the question . Just because I never seen one on any of my Cardinals doesn't mean they don't have them .
Looks like an add on for to Hold your hook or tie off the line when you are not Fishing .
I think it's there to apply pressure to keep the drag from backing off on it's own
Cigarette Holder ? :o
It is a spring tension clicker that keeps the drag knob on the number it is set at.
It is riveted to the lower frame housing.
Tom is our expert on Cardinals — but until he comes along — remedy's would be to source another spring and fasten it with rivets or tiny hobby screws used in electronics.
Or, to source a new frame with the tension clicker spring attached.
These are valuable and extremely well made reels. It would be worth doing the fix — either way that is possible.
I likely have the spring in my ABU/ZEBCO parts, and I also have new frames with the tensioner. But Tom may have a better fix that won't be so involved. He is the Cardinal Expert.
I have 14 crates of NOS ABU parts — and have not had the time to go through them yet.
That will not be a hard chore — since everything is basically numbered and enveloped or bagged in order — but I need to find room for them to live here.
Best, Fred
It's one those lil' dealies that prolly don't get greased to often. Kinda back up in there, but still exposed to the outside, where moisture can hide. I really like the gear box design/engineering on the Abu, Sweden made reels with the nice close tolerances. Have yet to get any water inside there.
Fred is right on the money with his info.
It is a must have, otherwise your drag knob setting won't stay where you set it and will change easily. Worst case scenario is you'll lose your drag knob & screw, fairly easily, actually. They're usually attached with two rivets unless someone revamped it. There used to be an aftermarket hard rubber replacement but I haven't seen any of those around for a long time. There's also a partial tensioner like the one in this photo (Part # 11107 C3 or 14605 black C3, 4 & 5) (https://www.ereplacementparts.com/drag-indicator-spring-p-1485317.html) that will work on the green or tan 4s but you'll need to find a screw & tap the body.
Rusted doesn't really matter but you need to clean the rust off. Broken depends on where it's broken. A couple good photos would help determine an appropriate fix but as long as you can create bend/hump that will have pressure in the notches inside the drag knob you should be OK. I've done that a few times and it works just fine. I usually remove the shorter portion. It ends up looking similar to Fred's last photo. Just make sure your bend/hump has an extension and smooth top so it rides nicely in the drag knob.
Tommy,
Was there ever a version from the factory that has screws? I have a vague recollection of swapping one of these out and I know I don't have rivets that small. I have a few Cardinals that I resurrected outs of parts.
-Mike
I just went out and checked it. This was on a green Zebco Cardinal 6 and I believe it's the hard rubber part. It feels like plastic and is nowhere near as positive as the metal piece. It is attached with small screws, must have been performed by others before it came to me.
-Mike
Hi all,
Thanks for the replies. I will need to look for a replacement part or replacement housing, or try to McGyver something.
The part in my reel literally disintegrated into rusty crumbs when I removed the drag knob. It was rusted pretty badly, and there are basically no usable stubs still attached to the rivets.
Quote from: PacRat on July 23, 2021, 08:51:36 PM
Tommy,
Was there ever a version from the factory that has screws? I have a vague recollection of swapping one of these out and I know I don't have rivets that small. I have a few Cardinals that I resurrected outs of parts.
-Mike
Mike,
The last Zebco and ABU tan Cardinal 3s ('78 - '81) had the half circle (#11107) with the screw. Also, the last version, 1977 & after, Cardinal 6 & 7 & the 6X & 7X had them with a screw (part #4093). The screw is the same for all of them, part #78.
A contraption like that makes me appreciate the D.A.M. Reels even more ....lol
Quote from: Wompus Cat on July 23, 2021, 11:15:36 PM
A contraption like that makes me appreciate the D.A.M. Reels even more ....lol
I own 130+ 40-50 year old fulcrum brake Cardinal reels with varying versions of that "contraption" "dealy" and have only had a couple of well used and abused acquisitions that required any meaningful attention. With a little care, attention & maintenance they will most likely last another 50 years or more.
Quote from: Midway Tommy on July 24, 2021, 02:17:00 AM
Quote from: Wompus Cat on July 23, 2021, 11:15:36 PM
A contraption like that makes me appreciate the D.A.M. Reels even more ....lol
I own 130+ 40-50 year old fulcrum brake Cardinal reels with varying versions of that "contraption" "dealy" and have only had a couple of well used and abused acquisitions that required any meaningful attention. With a little care, attention & maintenance they will most likely last another 50 years or more.
[/color]
It is a matter of Preference for me as I Generally don't care for Bail Type Reels at all and more especially ones with the Drag adj on the Butt of the reel and or A/R switch as it seems when inadvertently dropping of those type Reels they always hit on the Knob or A/R switch and shattering them (I realize you are not suppose to throw them around but still ) . I only have a few of the Cardinals and none with the Cigarette Holder /Gum Keeper type fangdangle thingamajig shown in the first post and don't know come here from sick em about the makers now or before nor their similarities as in # 3's 4's 5's Abu or Zebco but am learning from folks like you . Fred got me into D.A.M. reels and I have over a Hundred of them now.
Thanks for pointing out the points on this particular Model in this Thread..
Quote from: Catching Nemo on July 23, 2021, 09:53:14 PM
Hi all,
Thanks for the replies. I will need to look for a replacement part or replacement housing, or try to McGyver something.
The part in my reel literally disintegrated into rusty crumbs when I removed the drag knob. It was rusted pretty badly, and there are basically no usable stubs still attached to the rivets.
Used Cardinal 4 bodies for a reasonable price are pretty easy to come by, plus,
sometimes you'll get additional parts with it as seen in this group (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=cardinal+4+parts&_sacat=0&_pgn=1).
Thanks Tommy. Sending you a PM with a question
#2 eBay post featured in Tommy's reference looks like a great deal. I'll wait a bit, then if nobody jumps on it I will... Thanks Tommy!
Quote from: Gfish on July 25, 2021, 03:38:58 PM
#2 eBay post featured in Tommy's reference looks like a great deal. I'll wait a bit, then if nobody jumps on it I will... Thanks Tommy!
look closer: it's only main gear OR brake arm @ $9/each
Whoa! Thanks dude. "If it looks too good to be true, it is..." kinda sneaky...
Quote from: philaroman on July 25, 2021, 04:05:29 PM
Quote from: Gfish on July 25, 2021, 03:38:58 PM
#2 eBay post featured in Tommy's reference looks like a great deal. I'll wait a bit, then if nobody jumps on it I will... Thanks Tommy!
look closer: it's only main gear OR brake arm @ $9/each
Depends on when you bring the link up regarding which is the second 2nd item featured, but one has to read completely. There's only 2 items left in that multipart listing & that brake arm is way over priced. ::) Especially when you can scroll down the list & pick up a full drag set plus the click washer, brake arm, cashing & screw, & support for $10 shipped. A couple of those bodies with innards aren't priced too bad, though. Try to buy all those parts individually.