FFF Australian Fishing

Had a cupboard cleanup on the weekend - found a bag of Carbontex drag washers that I'd bought 7 or 8 years with the view of upgrading my suite of Curados. Never got the chance cos some prik decided he needed the gear more than me, and my Bantam 100B and Curado 200E5's 'disappeared'. Must have got the $hits on and tossed the washers in the cupboard & forgotten about them.

Having 'refound' the washer upgrade kits, I Googled and thought I was in luck, as it appeared the 200E5's are interchangeable with the G6's that I now run, but justed tried to swap the washers out and it seems the larger diameter one that fits inside the drive gear is about .5mm too big

Anyone know if it's posiible to 'cut down'/'shave' the carbontex washer so it fits inside the drive gear?

I'm kinda regreting finding these again as I'd nearly forgotten how superior the earlier Curados (both the Bantams & the E5's I thought were schmick ) were as opposed to the dumbed down and VERY agricultural G6's.

Oh - and if anyone still runs an old Bantam100b, your welcome to grab the unused, brand new carbontex upgrade (and the x2 200E5's for that matter if I can't find a way to get them into my G6's)

Do you mean too big in diameter or thickness? If diam, just shave the edges, Slug.

If too thick, I'd use one of those fine sharpening stones to reduce it.

I get a sheet of carbontex and make my own to suit any type of reel. I just copy what came out of the reel. Don't have to get into make or model numbers etc.

I use a pair of metal workshop dividers. Put one leg of the dividers on a centrepoint (where ever u like on the sheet) and rotate the other leg around and around that centrepoint scratching out a disc of the same diam as the old washer.

Then use the same centrepoint to cut out the inner circle with the dividers.

But you've gotta do the outside one first (or you have no reference centrepoint).

The carbontex sheets are as cheap as and come in 2 thicknesses.

Can put up some pix on how its done if you like.

Cheers Ron.

Diameter is my issue - so do u just 'shave' it down with coarse emery paper or a file? Never worked with the stuff so no idea?

And if it's not perfectly round when I finish (which no doubt it won't be - not real good at this stuff ) - no big deal?

slug wrote:Cheers Ron.

Diameter is my issue.

And if it's not perfectly round when I finish (which no doubt it won't be - not real good at this stuff ) - no big deal?

Nah ....

Your old washers should be fine mate once cut /shaved down we used to cut them by eye out of welding gloves mate for the old green ( and still the best curados ever made) as long as the edges don't overhang the drive gear dip she'll be sweet. So long as they are similar in thickness to the original washer too. (The leather washers require removal of a spacer from memory.)

Make sure all surfaces are nice and clean of any oil and corossion and polished with brasso if taking it to the extreme limits on the drag settings ... next level of smoothness tip there slug

50lb whiplash is the go on them once they get their upgrades mate

Any views on greasing em or running em dry (the carbontex upgrades)??

I just run them dry.

The principle of drag is on friction between 2 surfaces.

The larger the surface area then the more friction/grip its capable of. You then screw down the drag to increase the friction release point.

If the washer isn't perfectly round that's ok as long at its fit neatly inside. Difference in surface area wouldn't be much.

Here ya go, Slug.

I did a sample one to show how easy it is.

Just copy the old washer. Doesn't matter what it comes out of.

You'll see where I cut out drag washers to suit all of my reels (a mixture of manufacturers and models).

i bought a set of hole punches from tool shop ,they are not dear and work a treat on most reels .very little sanding down of the washers to fit the reel .example is the 24mm punch cut a 23mm outside dia washer which is a perfect fit for the diawa sol 4000 .i just use emery paper to sand outside and if too small on inside ince punched i just roll up emery paper tight and slide it into hole and twist till right inside diamater

Nice work guy's good post.

i also do smear the washer with a tiny bit of grease ,i find this helps the washer to bed in in its early stages .but be careful not to put a lot on though as it will work the opposite