Being a collector of vintage reels and rods who also likes to fish with same, I would like to submit this question.
When I need to replace the drag material in older reels, I cut the drags out of teflon (for small reels) or leather. I also clean and polish the metal washers wich are generally made of bronze or brass. All this gives a very smooth drag, but now I want to try the carbon drags.
I have been reading contradictory opinions on the web about the compatability of carbon drags with brass washers. Some say no problem; others state that the carbon drags will chew at the brass washers and render them useless in short order. Who am I to believe?
Greetings
Livinus
You'll be fine with brass washers.
Greeting livinus,
I agree with Sal. You'll be fine with brass washers and carbon fiber drags.
As long as you grease your washers with a good teflon grease, no problem at all.
And welcome to our site.
Welcome livinus!
Carbon fiber is the way to go these days.
"As long as you grease your washers with a good teflon grease, no problem at all."
Yes, but without grease, the carbon fiber will eventually strip the chrome :o. Don't wanna take my word for it? Here's something taken off another site:
"If you up grade to the HT-100's,up grade to stainless backing washers also. Under extreme drag pulling surges,the HT-100's are aggressive & will in time strip the chrome right off the stock backers"
(And to humbugs, I do know this from experience. My fishing experience is not limited to internet surfing ;).)
You have some pictures of your Sharks Dynamo?
Well, for one my photo bucket account is malfunctioning, and I haven't mastered the photo posting thing, anyways. To get back into the topic, have you used chrome washers w. carbon, by any chance? (BTW, my comment about experience was not talking of sharks, anyways. I was noting that what I say on this site is based upon experience, not reading about things read online ;)., that's all)
Quote from: Dynamo on October 25, 2013, 10:27:21 PM
Well, for one my photo bucket account is malfunctioning, and I haven't mastered the photo posting thing, anyways. To get back into the topic, have you used chrome washers w. carbon, by any chance? (BTW, my comment about experience was not talking of sharks, anyways. I was noting that what I say on this site is based upon experience, not reading about things read online ;)., that's all)
I've never had problems with the unplated brass washers but most of my personal reels have more and thinner SS ones.
Very interesting, I believe the problem is more towards the bigger reels, under a lot of drag pressure. Do you mean chrome plated brass or uncoated brass?
Plated.
I have both in my 10,12,14 and 16/0's. Have never had a problem with either one. I think whoever told you that livinus is mistaken.
Sorry, what do you mean by livinus? The problem becomes evident when under extreme power surges. The drag has to be locked down and the fish burning for chrome strippage to be an issue. The chrome wont strip off by itself because the fabric against it is carbon, the drag has to be moving for the chrome to be abrased by the agressive HT-100's. To test, attach your line to a car, lock the drag down, brace yourself, and command your pal to hit the throttle. For best results, I'd try running the car in bursts. About 15-20 miles per hour. Don't just do it one time, it will take quite a few runs, like alot, to make the chrome strip. Ignore jeering bystanders. If You don't see any metal washer damage or change, you win, and you have gained some new high-drag "practice" :o ;D! Now you have another project, if you decide to do it, please post pics and your results. Happy Halloween ;) ;D!!
I think I'll pass on that. I have plenty of projects and this won't be one of them. You say you have a 12/0. won't you try it yourself. I just fish for Big Sharks and I already know what happens. livinus is the guy that started this post.
I always believed that Livinus was the little guy in the Charlie Brown Cartoon
well, from my POV,, this is helpful, as I just acquired for cleaning and upgrade to carbon drags,, a Mitchell 908,, a little tiny spinning reel that is used with 6# test.. and, it has uncoated brass washers,,, I was concerned about using the carbon drags,,
but, what the heck,, I will install them with Cals grease and let'r rip!! The owner fo the reel mentioned, that the drags HAD to be smooth!!
Thanks for the info!!
Quote from: bluefish69 on October 26, 2013, 02:24:58 AM
I always believed that Livinus was the little guy in the Charlie Brown Cartoon
lol! :D
That would be Linus! :D :D :D :D
You are a funny Man Bluefish!!! ;D
I couldn't resist
I used to watch Charlie brown. Well back with the washers, there should be no issues with the carbon fiber drag and any washers you use, been fishing them many years. Now it could be that someone had some really cheap plated washers that were plated poorly. But all that aside I have used very heavy drag setting with no issues.
Quote from: saltydog on October 26, 2013, 03:01:24 AM
I used to watch Charlie brown. Well back with the washers, there should be no issues with the carbon fiber drag and any washers you use, been fishing them many years. Now it could be that someone had some really cheap plated washers that were plated poorly. But all that aside I have used very heavy drag setting with no issues.
Real world experience here. When the Veterans Talk, I Listen! ;)
Thanks to all for your answers. The vintage reels i use usually have unplated washers. Will order some carbon sheets and Cal grease from internet and give them a try.
Greetings
Livinus
PS I live in Belgium and France