Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => Smoothdrag.com => Topic started by: Tate on August 03, 2020, 04:14:41 PM

Title: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Tate on August 03, 2020, 04:14:41 PM
Hello

This is probably a beginner type question, but I genuinely want to understand the details. What is the difference between the standard HT-100 cf & metal drag washers vs the Carbontex Cf & smoothdrag metal washers? 

Thanks
Tate
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: day0ne on August 03, 2020, 06:55:35 PM
Basically no difference. Both are trademark names for carbon fiber.
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Gfish on August 03, 2020, 07:17:30 PM
A guess based on hearsay rather than direct experience: both as dayOne said are carbon fiber, but carbon-tex "may" have a finer weave pattern than the HT-100's. Relative effectiveness and duribility differences??? Someone else has godda know..., especially about possible metal washer diffrences.
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: MarkT on August 03, 2020, 07:35:41 PM
I certainly would not be swapping out the HT-100's for Carbontex as a supposed upgrade!
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: RowdyW on August 03, 2020, 08:19:04 PM
Smoothdrag metal washers are ground flat after being cut out. Penn washers are ground before getting cut out. As already said smootdrag CF washers have a slightly finer weave, but I can feel no difference or is there a wear difference between them.Both types should be greased with Cal's or an equalivalant for best preformance. Both are the best on the market until someone produces a better material for drag washers. That is fact without any guess work just experience.          Rudy
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: mo65 on August 03, 2020, 09:41:26 PM
   I think the biggest performance difference isn't in the two types of carbon fiber discs...it's in the metal washers. The stock Penn metals are often so distorted by the stamping process that they don't lie completely flat, giving up a little bit of surface area. Ground flat washers will provide full surface contact and often improve power by a pound or two.
   While I haven't noticed much performance difference in the HT-100s and the Carbontex...the feel can be very different. The HT-100s. being much spongier, have a "wider" or "longer" range of adjustment. The Carbontex power comes on faster.
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Bryan Young on August 03, 2020, 10:30:00 PM
HT-100s tend to be a little squishy as they washers are not as dense as Carbontex, and therefore, the drag will not ramp up as quickly.

I prefer Corbontex because the drag setting is predictable at lower drag range and can obtain slightly higher drag numbers (like 1-3#) since the washers does not compress.

But, I will often mix the washers up to get the proper stack height.

Regarding the metal washers, Penn tends to cup a little since they are stamped out whereas SmoothDrag metal washers are flat and ground flat.  Flat is better.
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: RowdyW on August 04, 2020, 01:53:04 AM
Bryan, part of that squishy feeling might be the metal washers flatting out. I take the metal washers new or old & give them a little rub on real fine sandpaper to see if they are curved. If they are I just stack them all with the cocave side down. That definetley makes them feel more solid  & the surface area more useable. I don't think you can feel much difference between 1 or two pounds of drag  unless you are fishing with 3 or 4 lbs. or less at strike.
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Alto Mare on August 04, 2020, 03:53:06 AM
I agree with Rudy!
Carbontex has a tighter weaved pattern than the HT-100, making then a little stronger, but they're pretty much the same functionality.
Bri-Bri, your kits aren't too shabby.

Sal
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Tate on August 04, 2020, 03:53:44 AM
Thanks for the feedback guys!  This is basically what I figured.

Cheers,

Tate
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: mo65 on August 04, 2020, 01:22:25 PM
   Something nobody mentioned about the stock Penn washers...the older brass washers(first photo) are the ones that are least flat. The bottom set has been filed and lapped for a smoother performance.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/879/41169234981_a4aeefe483_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/25HZ6fe)

   The newer Penn washers in the pic below are flatter with less stamping distortion. 8)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32921354667_5e05ac56d5_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Sa9xMe)
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Monofil on October 25, 2022, 05:17:23 PM
Quote from: Bryan Young on August 03, 2020, 10:30:00 PMHT-100s tend to be a little squishy as they washers are not as dense as Carbontex, and therefore, the drag will not ramp up as quickly.

I prefer Corbontex because the drag setting is predictable at lower drag range and can obtain slightly higher drag numbers (like 1-3#) since the washers does not compress.

But, I will often mix the washers up to get the proper stack height.

Regarding the metal washers, Penn tends to cup a little since they are stamped out whereas SmoothDrag metal washers are flat and ground flat.  Flat is better.


Good day everyone, this is my first post ever.

Great website for like minded people.

As for the drag washer issue,  how much of the carbonex drag washer needs to be gone before the carbonex washer needs to be gone before drag failure.

On one recent trip out to Want Rosa Island, I had my Newell G338F with a Narrow frame kit from Tiburon, 6 stack drag assembly, with 25# test.

I lucked out that day got my required limit of rockfish, a 30 # WSB an estimated 90# BSB and after all that , another BSB that after 45 min - pulled hook...

I tore down the reel the next day and was able to measure a 30% decrease on the Carbonex drag washers....

Any thoughts out there?

Thanks for letting me join this club!

Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: sciaenops on October 25, 2022, 08:09:40 PM
Nice catchin!

Not sure what you measured for the 30% decrease, but I'll go out on a limb & assume you had drag buttoned down for those extended tussles with the bsb. Time to check/replace drags.
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Keta on October 25, 2022, 10:03:06 PM
First hi.

Was your first measurement before you installed them?  If so you are probably seeing compression.  I have a much larger reel, Avet 50 SDS,  that has landed 2 cow YFT and at least a dozen over 150# that shows no sign of wear on the greased CF drag washers.
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: handi2 on October 28, 2022, 12:33:13 AM
Carbontex washers are by far much better than Penn's stock washers. They just work better.

When i do the baitcasting reels I always use Smooth Drags Carbontex kit with the ground flat metals. On Ambassaduer reels Dawns washers are even larger fitting the main gear fully.

Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: Bill B on February 19, 2023, 12:33:20 AM
If you can still see the weave of the fibers you are still good to go.  If not try roughing up the surface with a rag and regressed them.  It's pretty hard to wear out CF drags.  Like Lee said, I caught 2 150# bluefins back to back, each fight lasting 1+ hours.  Upon tear down the drag of the Fathom 40NLD2 showed a little glazing on drag.  A scrub with a rag new coat of Cal's drag grease and good as new. 

Welcome to the forum, how about checking into the new members thread and introducing yourself.

Bill
Title: Re: Difference between HT-100 drag system and Carbontex & Smoothdrag metal washers
Post by: handi2 on February 19, 2023, 01:04:53 AM
That's all I've seen on HT-100's.

Metallic specs