Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing with a friend of mine, and we were trolling.  I checked his drag setting and it was
way too high.  He said, no it always starts that way and after the first 4-5 inches it get's
easier.  I do't own a Shimano and I don't remember the model, so I'll just describe it as best I can.   Shimano, gold, star drag, about Penn 113 size.

I told him that I thought something was wrong and that I didn't think Shimano designed
it like that.  There really isn't any way to set the drag properly.  When the start up drag is
set for the line, after 5 inches you are way too light.  Anybody have any ideas?
I'd like to help him out even though he doesn't think he has a problem.
Jaime

Quote from: Jaime on November 19, 2015, 06:38:53 PM
Fishing with a friend of mine, and we were trolling.  I checked his drag setting and it was
way too high.  He said, no it always starts that way and after the first 4-5 inches it get's
easier.  I do't own a Shimano and I don't remember the model, so I'll just describe it as best I can.   Shimano, gold, star drag, about Penn 113 size.

I told him that I thought something was wrong and that I didn't think Shimano designed
it like that.  There really isn't any way to set the drag properly.  When the start up drag is
set for the line, after 5 inches you are way too light.  Anybody have any ideas?
I'd like to help him out even though he doesn't think he has a problem.
Jaime

Its probably and older Trini with no drag grease. One of the big advantages of grease is smooth start up, especially at higher drag settings.

x2

This is not a tough reel to work on, Jaime --

If it were on my bench, I would dissasemble, paying attention to the insides.

John and Chris are right...

If it is hard starting, then eases off at a high drag setting -- the drag discs are likely glazed and toast.

Clean the insides well, grease everything up that needs it, evacuate the bearings and grease them, replace the drag stack if glazed -- with CFs and Cal's drag grease, oil the handle, etc -- and I will be surprised if you do not see an improvement that is better than new.

You should be able to find a schematic on this site.

Good reels -- should have good drag travel -- very smooth from slight application to full lock down.

Post some pics.

Best,

Fred

The problem is, I don't have the reel and the guy that owns it is kind of defensive about
his reel knowledge.  He says he greased the drags?  I just thought it might be something
obvious to you Shamino people.  It's really not worth pursuing for me.  Thanks to everybody for the answers.  Jaime

yeah, if it's a trinidad, he can easily upgrade to carbontex.  that's the direction he needs to go in.   

Quote from: alantani on November 20, 2015, 04:54:54 PM
yeah, if it's a trinidad, he can easily upgrade to carbontex.  that's the direction he needs to go in.   

Yea, he could easily have the old defective Dartanium washers that are all shredded in there.

Quote from: johndtuttle on November 20, 2015, 05:00:50 PM

Quote from: alantani on November 20, 2015, 04:54:54 PM
yeah, if it's a trinidad, he can easily upgrade to carbontex.  that's the direction he needs to go in.   

Yea, he could easily have the old defective Dartanium washers that are all shredded in there.

Like this John..??

Whoa!

What is dartanium? 

hard carbon fiber, no weave, breaks like a tortilla chip.  terrible stuff......   

The correct spelling is craptanium.

Had a Torium do the same thing.  Stuff seemed to literally melt and goober the insides up.  Why they use that stuff is beyond me.  Changed over to greased CF and made a huge difference.

Shimano has mostly switched to Dartanium II which is a woven carbon fiber like HT-100 or Carbontex.