Alan and Other Reel Gurus.
Has anyone considered an upgrade to the Baja Special Anti-Reverse Dogs/Gear ?
There has been some talk on Bloody Decks about wear of the AR dog after hard use over time.
-Don't get me wrong - this reel is one of my all time favorites, and I have used them to extremes without issue -
But I like overbuilt in a reel, and it seems that it would only take a small modification of the Anti-reverse dog shape/size/ and dog gear to make the system stronger.
Here is a link with some discussion about the subject:
http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/baja-special-us-113n-vs-fathom.584156/#post-3749567
Thanks
Billy V
I haven't looked yet but one of mine that has only been used a few times crapped out on me yesterday while fishing and it sure felt like the dogs locking up under the main gear. I'll look at it Monday.
Would a modified AR ratchet fix the "problem"?
My buddy went trough four of these in a one year time period. the Dogs disintegrated on all of them.
Keta
There are a couple of problems the dog springs are to short where they rest against the dog they only go half way up the dog and I have had them slip under the dog also it would be great if they were a little bit heavier, it would be a great up date to a great reel.
Joel 8080
I personally don't believe there is anything wrong with the dogs, to me it is actually a great design, I believe the problem is with the ratchet, it isn't cut right. The inner side of the teeth on the ratchet should be cut squared, not rounded, this would be an easy fix...just my opinion.
Thats true but if you look at the springs against the dog they only go half way up the side of the dog and there very thin. If the spring was made a little higher and a drop heavier and the rachet was done as you explained the reel would be bullet proof.
Don't get me wrong I love the reel and I have 2 of them.
Joel8080
The next time I make an order from Scott's I'll order a ratchet and play with improving them.
Joel, send me a drawing of what you are thinking.
Keta
I will send it to you with a spring so you can see what I'm talking about, do you want a Dog also?, let me know.
Joel8080
Keta
I just checked to see if I had a spare ratchet but I do not if you want I will take it out of my reel and send it to you?, but I need it back before the SOA trip. Let me know also I need your address.
Joel 8080
Quote from: joel8080 on May 12, 2015, 01:16:10 AM
Keta
I will send it to you with a spring so you can see what I'm talking about, do you want a Dog also?, let me know.
Joel8080
That will work, I'll get the dimensions and send them right back. You will have to do the testing on the first set and R&D parts are free.
Need your address.
Joel
Check PM's.
Ratchets on those are punched, probably why they're only a couple of dollars. Those should be cut to get a nice sharp angle.
Sharp angle would whelp pulling the dog in, round helps it pull out.
When I get the reel I will contact you for advice on the mods Sal.
Not a problem Lee. I'm not sure if it would cure it, but the ratchet is a good place to start.
Yup.
Keta
I will drop the reel off at the Post Office first thing this morning and I will send you the tracking number.
Joel 8080
The stock AR Ratchet (98R-FTHSD12) is stamped and the edges of the teeth on one side are rounded allowing the AR dog to slip under the AR ratchet.
I will have some modified ratchets cut this week.
Quote from: Keta on May 23, 2015, 06:31:55 PM
The stock AR Ratchet (98R-FTHSD12) is stamped and the edges of the teeth on one side are rounded allowing the AR dog to slip under the AR ratchet.
I will have some modified ratchets cut this week.
Any chance I can get one to test out in my USA Senator?
Mine was not the dogs. The bridge screws had came loose...
Quote from: Keta on May 23, 2015, 06:31:55 PM
The stock AR Ratchet (98R-FTHSD12) is stamped and the edges of the teeth on one side are rounded allowing the AR dog to slip under the AR ratchet.
I will have some modified ratchets cut this week.
hmm Im working to get me a Baja Special (finally) and would like to get one or two of your ratchets too.
I still dont have the reel but I will have it very soon and so far I found out the only Achilles heel of the reel is the AR dog system
I have 4 AR ratchets cut now, one belongs to Joel but the rest are available for anyone that wants to test them.
Quote from: Keta on July 02, 2015, 06:49:34 PM
I have 4 AR ratchets cut now, one belongs to Joel but the rest are available for anyone that wants to test them.
Keta, are you saying the teeth on the bottom of the gear sleeve, or something else?
oops
Quote from: BonitaBch on July 02, 2015, 09:02:09 PM
Quote from: Keta on July 02, 2015, 06:49:34 PM
I have 4 AR ratchets cut now, one belongs to Joel but the rest are available for anyone that wants to test them.
Keta, are you saying the teeth on the bottom of the gear sleeve, or something else?
Yes, they are gone now.
Well what did we learn in all this? The suspense is getting me.
Nothing yet, as of now they are all setting on my bench and I do not have a reel to fit them in.