Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Do people usually grease the drag material in those? Might it be getting sticky?

From what I've been seeing, most drag washers have been lubricated. These I just wiped off with a shop towel and then gave them a touch of Cal's grease. I'm pretty sure that's what I've seen others do. Perhaps the washer material doesn't take to Cal's grease for some reason? Thanks for your input.

The stock washers in them should be felt but they could have anything in there if the reel has had a service or two. If the felt is old and very contaminated with old grease it will probably feel nasty. If you're planning to fish regularly with the reel it would be well worth putting in some Carbontex drag washers.

Also, there are two versions of these sl30sh reels!
The earlier ones were made in Japan, and then later on, production went over to China.
And I've had both and sold the Chinese one, and kept the made in Japan one. Not sure, what it was, but they definitely felt and performed, differently from each other.

Quote from: MrRoundel on August 23, 2024, 12:01:27 AMI used tan Cal's drag grease on the soft leather(?) drag washers.  But it's still not as light as other reels I have.

gotta switch to carbon fiber and cal's drag grease.  anything else will be sticky.   

Quote from: alantani on August 30, 2024, 04:36:34 PM

Quote from: MrRoundel on August 23, 2024, 12:01:27 AMI used tan Cal's drag grease on the soft leather(?) drag washers.  But it's still not as light as other reels I have.

gotta switch to carbon fiber and cal's drag grease.  anything else will be sticky. 

Thanks, @alantani. I'll put the Carbontex washers for the Slosh on my next parts order, maybe even before I head out in my first attempt to catch fish in decades.

BTW, I have a fresh question about the brake collars on this SL30SH. The parts list seems to list two types of collar, and I can see that there are two types being sold. What's the deal? Are they designed to be used with either/or brake collar, or perhaps both? Or is it all about experimentation, weight of lures, etc.? I'm waiting until I get both types of collars in before heading out to the coast, a lake, or the park, to see how she, and I, cast. Thanks ahead of time. Cheers.

for the little bit of casting that i do, i virtually never rely on brakes.  i'm no going to be much help in this department.   

I watched a couple of videos on servicing this reel. One of them had a subject reel that was also missing the brake collars. The other showed the reel with the larger B35-2901 brake collars in place. I guess these bigger and heavier collars will give more braking power then the smaller ones, which I also have coming. I'll know which ones to go with, if any, once I get a chance to cast the reel with and without brakes. I'll report back with any findings/experiences. Cheers.