I have several Shakespeare 2062 and all work fine with one exception...I have one that the drag seems to be super loose or locked down, no middle ground. I have taken it apart, have all the pieces, lubed the leather pieces, and it's still "all-or-nothing" on the drag. And it takes several turns of the drag knob to go from off to tight. I'm mystified. Any guru here with some insight?
I am sure that one of the many Shakespeare Guru Ohana will respond shortly. But more than likely those original drag materials are glazed/compressed (easy if the reel was stored for a long period of time with the drag tight/locked down). Even lubing the existing leather may not help. So this may be what you are experiencing. -john
I am far from an expert, but I had a 2062 on top of the pile. Does your drag stack look like this?
Mine has rather thick leather washers. Yours could be compressed from years of being too tight. maybe a few drops of oil and days to absorb and swell?
I looked at the few Penn HT100 washers I had on hand. 6-309, 6-155, and 6-60 were all too tight on the spindle. Maybe cut a few out with an exacto knife. the 6-60 looked closest, but not usable as is.
(https://i.imgur.com/HRzCpA5.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/OuXYfxq.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0gCywz5.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5rvGCRu.jpeg)
I have seen the drag knob on a DQ 220 be the culprit with any spool Installed.It seemed it was the way the threads were machined.It would never tighten up on any spool or any other 220 I tried it on.
I'm thinking the washers are crushed, for lack of a better term. I tried lubricating them but it didn't seem to help. The c-clip went flying too, any sources for a replacement?
If you want to keep it original try soaking the leather washers in a strong solvency like acetone or lacquer thinner for an extended amount of time and soak and polish the metal disks. The leathers more than likely have compressed and all probably have a glaze on them. If that doesn't work out you could always try to replace them with CF or Teflon washers of the same size.
I've made retaining springs like those from key tag rings.
I'll try the soaking...nothing to lose at this point. Clever idea about the key ring hoop!
I suspect a defective knob. Try swapping out the drag knob with one from the working reels.
I'll take a look at the knob too, can't be TOO complicated, it's a fishing reel, not the space shuttle.
I like nelz's suggestion too.. the lockup suggests the knob is tightening onto the spool itself, rather than onto the drag stack. That might also be the compressed washers causing the drag stack to be too low ?
on some reels that had very little drag adjustability I added a couple of spring washers at the bottom of the stack, between spool and the first metal washer. This both raises the stack and provides a bit more compressibility.
My 2062 is going fishing in the MN Boundary Waters in a month or so, looking forward to it..
Quote from: CincyDavid on July 31, 2025, 11:32:37 AMI'll take a look at the knob too, can't be TOO complicated, it's a fishing reel, not the space shuttle.
Yeah well the knob may not be rocket science, but it's hard to tell if the inside is defective just by looking. Easiest way to tell is try one from one of your a working reels.
My money is on compressed or worn washers, including the main shaft washer under the spool, otherwise I don't think the drag would have any variation at all.
I use stainless steel wire leader material to make those spring clips for the spool/drag. It's spring wire (spring steel), same that I use for making spinner shafts. Key chain rings are spring steel too—same material—I'm just not sure if key chain rings are the stainless flavor.
Quote from: nelz on July 30, 2025, 11:23:40 PMI suspect a defective knob. Try swapping out the drag knob with one from the working reels.
I agree broken spring in the drag nut .
Quote from: oldmanjoe on August 02, 2025, 02:21:43 AMQuote from: nelz on July 30, 2025, 11:23:40 PMI suspect a defective knob. Try swapping out the drag knob with one from the working reels.
I agree broken spring in the drag nut .
There are no springs in those Shakespeare drag knobs.
There's something in there, hard to tell by looking, and as far as I can tell, you can't open it up either without destroying it.
Belated response...took it apart several weeks ago, let everything air out for lack of a better term. Oiled everything, put it back together today and it feels pretty good. I won't tell you it's the best drag I've ever felt but it's a whole lot more linear than it used to be and it feels pretty good.
excellent..
here's my 2062, the drag was exercised. We paddled over to the other side of the lake to collect firewood against the coming cold front. A few casts after we'd loaded the boat, and there was a pike hiding under the canoe..
He ripped off 10-20 yards of drag and tailwalked a bit, the drag did just fine..
Great looking fish and equipment. As a son of the South I feel OK posting this pic in good humor in case anyone is curious about regional fish differences.
Quote from: CincyDavid on September 16, 2025, 11:56:31 AMGreat looking fish and equipment. As a son of the South I feel OK posting this pic in good humor in case anyone is curious about regional fish differences.
Cletus? Is that you, cuz?
Quote from: akroper on October 01, 2025, 08:18:09 AMQuote from: CincyDavid on September 16, 2025, 11:56:31 AMGreat looking fish and equipment. As a son of the South I feel OK posting this pic in good humor in case anyone is curious about regional fish differences.
Cletus? Is that you, cuz?
Hahaha, made me chuckle too