trying to figure out why my line lay is uneven. It seems to favor the bottom part. all the internals and gear, washers are right. I'm thinking it's the spool. I'm noticing that there is movement up and down so slightly. Could this be the issue?
Your line lay doesn't look all that bad to me. There is a little extra line buildup towards the base but I've seen much worse. You might check the bail trip lever to see if it is bent or worn where the bail arm rests on it. The angle there can make a difference on how the line fills on the spool.
Remove the spool and then remove the side plate. Then manually move the main shaft in and out. You should be able to see where there's excessive movement and play. The play in the main shaft is more than likely caused by a missing small washer at the rear of it where the connecting link/oscillation arm is attached. Sometimes, after original parts have worn a little, a small washer needs to be added to one side of the attachment block to take up the slack/movement and/or to adjust line lay. The washer generally should be in front of the block but sometimes there needs to be one on both sides, or maybe even two in front if they'll fit. It depends on what kind of adjustment is needed to correct the line lay.
Some reel may be uneven when filling by reel but if you use a drill to fill up line or fill up at shop then line is even . When cast out only only use 1/4 of line or less come out then it's not enough to see the uneven
Still waiting to see if a manufacturer will come-up with a mechanical adjustment for spinner-spool line lay. Some reels that don't have a push-button spool can be adjusted with friction washers between the spool bottom and spindle. Some push button types can adjusted as Midway indicated, some can't.
If The DAM engineers can include a trip lever height adjustment via a screw mechanism, can't it be done for the main shaft...?
If memory serves the DQ 5001 has something like that. Fred could explain better than I can.
Yeah, a DAM Quick 250 standard that I sold to Happyhooker-Frank had one. Kinda bulky, but worked well.
Or did you mean a spool shaft adjustment system, Jason?
For what I see , I would follow Tommy`s suggestion , "The washer generally should be in front of the block but sometimes there needs to be one on both sides, or maybe even two in front if they'll fit. It depends on what kind of adjustment is needed to correct the line lay."
Probably both on the bottom side , keep the spool deep in rotor cup . That will help the fat bottom .
Quote from: Gfish on August 24, 2025, 03:38:23 PMStill waiting to see if a manufacturer will come-up with a mechanical adjustment for spinner-spool line lay. Some reels that don't have a push-button spool can be adjusted with friction washers between the spool bottom and spindle. Some push button types can adjusted as Midway indicated, some can't.
If The DAM engineers can include a trip lever height adjustment via a screw mechanism, can't it be done for the main shaft...?
Not exactly what you are are asking , but related .
Wow, cool! Thanks Joe. Of course now I have to consider getting one of those.
hey guys, just want to report. i replace my spool and the problem is fixed! thanks for the feedback
Any recommendations for a DAM Quick model with that feature I could buy?
Quote from: Gfish on September 19, 2025, 05:43:12 PMAny recommendations for a DAM Quick model with that feature I could buy?
I'm sure Fred can make you a recommendation, but what size are you looking for?
I like the DQ 1401 because they're similar in size to the Mitchell 300. The 2001 is larger than the 1401, probably a good size for King Salmon.
I purchased a 5001 off eBay years ago and when I received it was much bigger than any reel I own. Too big for any fresh water fish that I've encountered.
I guess the 2001, slightly larger than a MG 300, maybe DAM Q. 330 size. Does the 2001 have that spool height adjustment thingy on it?
A photo might be more helpful. I don't have a 3000 model. Mitchell 300 in the middle, surrounded by Dam Quicks (top-right going clockwise), DQ1400, DQ1202, DQ2002. DQ4001 and DQ5001. And yes, all of the DAM Quick reels have their own variation of the adjustment under the spool described earlier in this thread.