Greased Carbon Fiber or Delrin Under Main Gear Washer...

[Bryan Young]

Just want to say that the topic is so very interesting...Not saying one is right over the other, but I just love challenges to the norm.  My conversation with my dad went like this:

Dad:  Bryan, what are you doing?
Me:  I'm taking apart the __________.
Dad:  Why?
Me:  I think it can run faster (better, smoother,...)
Dad:  If it's not broken, don't touch it
Me:  But dad, it could run faster with a little tweeking.
Dad:  I understand, but I've done my share of tinkering, and it's just a waste of time to make it 10% better.
Me:  Well, who know, maybe I'll be luck and get it 20% better.

No matter what my dad said, he couldn't deter me from tinkering and tweeking thing out.

So what we do, even with differences, I am enjoying the diversity of the conversation and banter (even though I'm pro greased carbon fiber at the moment and undecided about the delrin).  It took me years to come to the fact that grease carbon fiber was a big change that I could physically feel.  Delrin will have it's turn.

Not for argument sake, but for information sharing, what have we all used for an undergear washer and how did it perform.

Fiber Washer
Delrin
Greased Carbon Fiber
Teflon

Any other that people have tried and how did it turn out?

[Alto Mare]

Bryan, I realize that you already know my answer, but I believe I should still post it here for others.
I've used all that you're showing on your list, but to me the best to date is the Delrin and not just under the gear, the belleville  on top is also doing great.
Here is the layout for my Jigmaster, this is one of the best I own, all will have the same:



Sal

[broschro]

I'm getting a super smooth 22#s pulling from the reel with the delrin on top and bottom. going to test it out for reel in march. 501 supercharged  verses reef Donkey  
also cranking the star is much smoother.

[handi2]

I'm getting a super smooth 22#s pulling from the reel with the delrin on top and bottom. going to test it out for reel in march. 501 supercharged  verses reef Donkey  
also cranking the star is much smoother.

I would love to see that in action..!! I might even try it myself just to see if the reel will handle the long fight.

[wascallywabit]

I think it's a great conversation. The only way we improve is by challenging the status quo with our imaginations. So far you guys have done a phenomenal job with the jigmaster and the rest of us have benefitted greatly. I think I have just about every upgrade so far, but I have yet to try delrin washers under the gear. If anyone can tell me where to buy the material and what thickness to purchase, I would like to give it a go.

Thanks

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

I have tested it pretty throughly lately. I will have to say this. The Delrin is the best option for most applications as the cf gets chewed up after awhile.

I have noticed one thing for the Delrin and that is that when switching from cf to Delrin, I lose about 1-2# of drag. This is on a few different reels. (Just my experience).

The biggest benefit of Delrin for me is that, I don't have to worry about the washer breaking down and I don't have to worry of it getting in the way of the dogs. Also, when the star is really button down, I mean to the MAX, the line still peels off quite smooth and nice

[BMITCH]

I've always had an dislike for the cf under the gear. I grease all my cf's and any reels that have been serviced after some use the cf under the gear has left some residue on the shaft. I have not yet tried the delrin but I'm in the beginning stages of changing my reels over to the configuration that Sal has pictured above.
  Sal, in the pic above...is the under gear delrin a different composite? It looks a different color.

[Alto Mare]

Yes Bob, it is a different color, that one is brown, the same material that Carl Newell was using for the bearings on some of his reels.
For now, I'm ok with black, but they're all doing just fine.  The belleville only comes in white and sizes are limited, but we could get someone to make those for us.
Here are the specs again:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#8574KAC

James, thanks for your testing.  Yes, the Delrin will stay smooth all the way, that's the most important part of it all. I haven't lost any numbers on drag, but lets see what others find.

Here are the belleville, hese are a little lose, but work great with the custom spacer from Black Pearl.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#3573A17
if you use .31" Delrin for under the gear, Bryan's 5 washers kit, the belleville that i'm showing and the 11.5mm custom spacer, everything should fit nicely.

[Shark Hunter]

I just know on a Big senator. The CF will get chewed up and distorted after only one fish that you have to lock the drag down on.
Delrin for me.

[BMITCH]

Thanks for the info Sal. Got them on order today.