Are there any mods I can do to my ice washers to make the drag less severe? Love how smooth they are but a few clicks from locked up solid to free spool is not ideal.
Are carbon washers better for this? Or is there anything I can do to my current setup?
Thanks
Are carbon washers better for this? Or is there anything I can do to my current setup?
Thanks
In reply to Post #1
Remove 1 ice washer and replace it with the original (felt) washer.
Tried the ice/teflon/carbon washers, overhyped product imo and have put the felt washers back in my 5500 Xdt, don't get it why so many people like to give up so many drag positions.
Remove 1 ice washer and replace it with the original (felt) washer.
Tried the ice/teflon/carbon washers, overhyped product imo and have put the felt washers back in my 5500 Xdt, don't get it why so many people like to give up so many drag positions.
In reply to Post #1
Carbon washers will be very similar as like the ice they don't compress, zinno has given an option which will work.
the other thing that works is using a spring in the spool cap, i dont know what reels you are using but if the spool cap has been converted on come as quick drag with the spring removed then by refitting a spring or using spool cap with a spring will also slow down the drag.
The only way i could tolerate carbon washers in my xt techs was to fit a spring in the spool cap, in the end i went completely back to standard with all felt compression washers.
Carbon washers will be very similar as like the ice they don't compress, zinno has given an option which will work.
the other thing that works is using a spring in the spool cap, i dont know what reels you are using but if the spool cap has been converted on come as quick drag with the spring removed then by refitting a spring or using spool cap with a spring will also slow down the drag.
The only way i could tolerate carbon washers in my xt techs was to fit a spring in the spool cap, in the end i went completely back to standard with all felt compression washers.
In reply to Post #3
They are shimano xtd 5500, so not sure of the internal setup but I have only changed the washers nothing else.
I did see a while ago someone saying they had removed 1 washer and replaced with felt but the felt ones require grease where as the ice washers are meant to be used without grease so I wasn't sure how that would work
They are shimano xtd 5500, so not sure of the internal setup but I have only changed the washers nothing else.
I did see a while ago someone saying they had removed 1 washer and replaced with felt but the felt ones require grease where as the ice washers are meant to be used without grease so I wasn't sure how that would work
In reply to Post #4
Place firstt a felt washer and then 2 ice/carbon or teflon washers, there is already so much grease on the felt washers (too much actually) that you do not need extra grease for the felt washers when you have made the spooll grease free.
Place firstt a felt washer and then 2 ice/carbon or teflon washers, there is already so much grease on the felt washers (too much actually) that you do not need extra grease for the felt washers when you have made the spooll grease free.
In reply to Post #1
When I had the larger XTD I went with 3 ice and 2 felt with the grease squeezed and scraped off. This was much better and was the way I left them when I sold them
When I had the larger XTD I went with 3 ice and 2 felt with the grease squeezed and scraped off. This was much better and was the way I left them when I sold them
In reply to Post #4
you should be fine to mix them, the washers are separated by metal washers and dont come into contact with each other, my old emblem z's have been using mixed washers for over 15 years now they are 2 and 3 i cant remember whether its 2 or 3 felt it was that long ago.
I haven't looked at an xtd but would suspect they have a bush rather than a spring in the spool cap if so it would be possible to slow them down by retro fitting a spring but then you would have to source one that fits and then the strength may be wrong, it would be easier to just try swapping an ice for a felt to see how it feels then maybe take 2 ice out.
I personally prefer all felt and like the extra adjustment imo in a carp reel the main benefit of carbon or ice is to speed them up
you should be fine to mix them, the washers are separated by metal washers and dont come into contact with each other, my old emblem z's have been using mixed washers for over 15 years now they are 2 and 3 i cant remember whether its 2 or 3 felt it was that long ago.
I haven't looked at an xtd but would suspect they have a bush rather than a spring in the spool cap if so it would be possible to slow them down by retro fitting a spring but then you would have to source one that fits and then the strength may be wrong, it would be easier to just try swapping an ice for a felt to see how it feels then maybe take 2 ice out.
I personally prefer all felt and like the extra adjustment imo in a carp reel the main benefit of carbon or ice is to speed them up
In reply to Post #7
Thanks, I think for now I'll just try removing 1 ice washer for 1 felt and see how that goes.
Wondering if I can buy new felt washers without grease on them.
Any idea on how they should be fitted? Ie should I sandwich the 1 felt in between the 2 ice washers? Or felt at the top?
Thanks, I think for now I'll just try removing 1 ice washer for 1 felt and see how that goes.
Wondering if I can buy new felt washers without grease on them.
Any idea on how they should be fitted? Ie should I sandwich the 1 felt in between the 2 ice washers? Or felt at the top?
In reply to Post #8
Yeah, you can buy new felt washers from eBay.
I'd ditch the ones you've got and just use the ones that came with the spools, just so much better. Yeah, the carbon ones/ Teflon ones are super smooth, not that the stock ones are crap - tried both - problem being is if you ever have to fully lock your rods up super tight, you just won't be able to with these aftermarket ones, whereas the stock ones you can.
Yeah, you can buy new felt washers from eBay.
I'd ditch the ones you've got and just use the ones that came with the spools, just so much better. Yeah, the carbon ones/ Teflon ones are super smooth, not that the stock ones are crap - tried both - problem being is if you ever have to fully lock your rods up super tight, you just won't be able to with these aftermarket ones, whereas the stock ones you can.
In reply to Post #8
I would just swap the top ice washer for a felt one and would just put your old felt one's back
I would just swap the top ice washer for a felt one and would just put your old felt one's back
In reply to Post #7
I'd only fit them to the really slow daiwa drags personally, and probably leave some felt washers in the stack too.
My reels at the moment I've tuned to give me a full turn from a tight freespool to a tight drag, so probably 2 full turns from proper free to locked for casting and I find that perfect for me.
Was it you who services reels? Do you sell the proper felt washers? I had a bit of a mare sourcing some as have others
I'd only fit them to the really slow daiwa drags personally, and probably leave some felt washers in the stack too.
My reels at the moment I've tuned to give me a full turn from a tight freespool to a tight drag, so probably 2 full turns from proper free to locked for casting and I find that perfect for me.
Was it you who services reels? Do you sell the proper felt washers? I had a bit of a mare sourcing some as have others
In reply to Post #11
Agree, the retailers of Ice/carbon washers have done a great job in selling these to folks with reels already having quick drags.
Agree, the retailers of Ice/carbon washers have done a great job in selling these to folks with reels already having quick drags.
In reply to Post #11
Fitted them myself, didn't have them serviced.
They were quite a slow drag as standard so wanted to have a faster drag but also a bit smoother, but have gone from a couple of turns from slack to locked up to more like a quarter of a turn for all!
I'm reply to the other comment, I can get these 100% locked up with the ice washers no problem 👍🏽
Fitted them myself, didn't have them serviced.
They were quite a slow drag as standard so wanted to have a faster drag but also a bit smoother, but have gone from a couple of turns from slack to locked up to more like a quarter of a turn for all!
I'm reply to the other comment, I can get these 100% locked up with the ice washers no problem 👍🏽
In reply to Post #11
I agree with you and the only reels of my own that i have left with slight mods are the very slow daiwa drags
No i don't and haven't serviced anyone else's reels but being an engineer i have serviced and carried out repairs to my own and friends reels and also being of an inquisitive nature i was messing about with and understanding what had various effects on the reels drag many years ago
I agree with you and the only reels of my own that i have left with slight mods are the very slow daiwa drags
No i don't and haven't serviced anyone else's reels but being an engineer i have serviced and carried out repairs to my own and friends reels and also being of an inquisitive nature i was messing about with and understanding what had various effects on the reels drag many years ago
In reply to Post #8
Place the felt washer first then the rest
Place the felt washer first then the rest
In reply to Post #14
I only started playing with them out of necessity when I hated the emblem 45 drag, I never felt the need to alter my entohs(non qd version) but I think I prefer them now I've Swapped some washers.
I'm actually tempted to see what other components are cross compatible, if I can swap some gearing and slow the retrieve on the emblems they'd be perfect for me. Do you think that's possible?
I only started playing with them out of necessity when I hated the emblem 45 drag, I never felt the need to alter my entohs(non qd version) but I think I prefer them now I've Swapped some washers.
I'm actually tempted to see what other components are cross compatible, if I can swap some gearing and slow the retrieve on the emblems they'd be perfect for me. Do you think that's possible?
Thought I'd revive this thread rather than starting another one, might be some useful info for someone.
I recently went back to my 14000 xtbs after using Tournaments for several years and was shocked at how quick my drag was having previously fitted ICE washers and QD caps. Cut a long story short, took Zinno's advice from this thread and replaced the first washer in each spool with a re-oiled original felt one and now they are much better, far more room to manoeuvre when playing fish off the clutch but still QD enough to not have to do multiple turns like on the Tournies.
I recently went back to my 14000 xtbs after using Tournaments for several years and was shocked at how quick my drag was having previously fitted ICE washers and QD caps. Cut a long story short, took Zinno's advice from this thread and replaced the first washer in each spool with a re-oiled original felt one and now they are much better, far more room to manoeuvre when playing fish off the clutch but still QD enough to not have to do multiple turns like on the Tournies.
In reply to Post #17
Contemplating getting some for me 5500. Anybody using the PTFE ones, how do these compare to the carbon ones?
Contemplating getting some for me 5500. Anybody using the PTFE ones, how do these compare to the carbon ones?
I picked up some nice Ultegra xtb ci4 14000 reels and am just getting them ready for use...
Stripped and greased, opened bearing seals and regreased too.
They dont have the baitrunner 2 drag caps, not keen, but have some weston speed caps.
Drag was a bit too fast so I have made some felt washers, some 3in1, and now just right.
With the three new felt washers and the weston ali cap i get 1 full turn from freespool to locked, and smoooooth.
They were so nice i also made a spare set for my old Ultegra XT reels.
On the new reels I used a 6000 spool reducer as a tester, this increased spool diameter from 53mm to 66mm.
So I used old line as backing and filled up to 65mm.
This will give me about 220m of 15lb 0.37, and about 180m of 18lb 0.40.
BIG miscalculation, didnt allow for overfilling. See last picture...
Shimano suggest to only fill to the start of the tapered spool edge, but everyone goes further!
I have used virtually the full 1,000m. Next time I refill it can add more backing so I'm nearer 220m, hopefully.
Stripped and greased, opened bearing seals and regreased too.
They dont have the baitrunner 2 drag caps, not keen, but have some weston speed caps.
Drag was a bit too fast so I have made some felt washers, some 3in1, and now just right.
With the three new felt washers and the weston ali cap i get 1 full turn from freespool to locked, and smoooooth.
They were so nice i also made a spare set for my old Ultegra XT reels.
On the new reels I used a 6000 spool reducer as a tester, this increased spool diameter from 53mm to 66mm.
So I used old line as backing and filled up to 65mm.
This will give me about 220m of 15lb 0.37, and about 180m of 18lb 0.40.
BIG miscalculation, didnt allow for overfilling. See last picture...
Shimano suggest to only fill to the start of the tapered spool edge, but everyone goes further!
I have used virtually the full 1,000m. Next time I refill it can add more backing so I'm nearer 220m, hopefully.
In reply to Post #19
Tidy job
I fitted a set of Ice Washers to my new trio of infinity spools.
Bought these from Ice Washers and they're very thin compared to those bought elsewhere.
So thin in fact, they're close to bottoming out the thread on the spool cap, I even contacted them to ask if they'd shrink thickness wise, as it worried me. I was told they won't, so I'm leaving them for now.
I now have 3 sets of 3 spools, 2 with ice washers of different thicknesses and 1 with Jim's Carbontex.
Tidy job
I fitted a set of Ice Washers to my new trio of infinity spools.
Bought these from Ice Washers and they're very thin compared to those bought elsewhere.
So thin in fact, they're close to bottoming out the thread on the spool cap, I even contacted them to ask if they'd shrink thickness wise, as it worried me. I was told they won't, so I'm leaving them for now.
I now have 3 sets of 3 spools, 2 with ice washers of different thicknesses and 1 with Jim's Carbontex.
In reply to Post #18
PTFE washers do not need to be greased and are self-lubricating. I have had carbon washers once and they make the drag even tighter.
PTFE washers do not need to be greased and are self-lubricating. I have had carbon washers once and they make the drag even tighter.
In reply to Post #19
Craft felt washers ? Ssshhh , you'll be putting Weston out of business Lol.
Craft felt washers ? Ssshhh , you'll be putting Weston out of business Lol.
In reply to Post #18
I had ptfe in my 5500. 2 ptfe and 1 felt which gave 1 full turn of drag. Just make sure you get as much grease out as possible or it makes the ptfe drag a bit.
I had ptfe in my 5500. 2 ptfe and 1 felt which gave 1 full turn of drag. Just make sure you get as much grease out as possible or it makes the ptfe drag a bit.
In reply to Post #23
Are PTFE the same as Ice Washers?
Edit: just Googled it, they’re not
Are PTFE the same as Ice Washers?
Edit: just Googled it, they’re not
In reply to Post #23
That's interesting, my understanding is that they don't need grease?
That's interesting, my understanding is that they don't need grease?
In reply to Post #25
I missed the word 'out'! Ha. Yeah, they do not like grease it make the drag sticky.
I missed the word 'out'! Ha. Yeah, they do not like grease it make the drag sticky.
In reply to Post #26
Nice one mate, how long have you been using them for, and your happy, they work OK. I see they are a bit cheaper than the carbon ones, which is understandable.
Nice one mate, how long have you been using them for, and your happy, they work OK. I see they are a bit cheaper than the carbon ones, which is understandable.
In reply to Post #27
I used them for about 2 years across 8 spools, occasionally I has to take the 2 ptfe washers out and clean them up but they were fine until they got nicked. A lot better than just felt anyway, much more consistant.
Worst case, with all 3 ptfe washers in you still got a good half a turn. As you say, they are cheap too, so you can experiment a bit.
I used them for about 2 years across 8 spools, occasionally I has to take the 2 ptfe washers out and clean them up but they were fine until they got nicked. A lot better than just felt anyway, much more consistant.
Worst case, with all 3 ptfe washers in you still got a good half a turn. As you say, they are cheap too, so you can experiment a bit.
In reply to Post #28
Nice one pal. Thank you
Nice one pal. Thank you
In reply to Post #19
Where did you source the felt from ?
Where did you source the felt from ?
In reply to Post #30
I got a packet for free off a lady who'd bought it from a craft shop.
8 A4 sheets for £3.50, but they were reduced to only £1.
About 1mm+ thick.
Hobbycraft shops have lots, from about 60p a sheet 🤓
I got a packet for free off a lady who'd bought it from a craft shop.
8 A4 sheets for £3.50, but they were reduced to only £1.
About 1mm+ thick.
Hobbycraft shops have lots, from about 60p a sheet 🤓
In reply to Post #31
You've probably got a lifetime's supply of washers there. For anybody that can't be bothered cutting them, you can buy ready made discs of craft felt off Ebay. I bought some 25mm diameter, 1 mm thick ones to use with my Diawa Emblem QD spools. Just punched a 10 mm hole in the centre and they have been great.
You've probably got a lifetime's supply of washers there. For anybody that can't be bothered cutting them, you can buy ready made discs of craft felt off Ebay. I bought some 25mm diameter, 1 mm thick ones to use with my Diawa Emblem QD spools. Just punched a 10 mm hole in the centre and they have been great.
In reply to Post #32
I got four packs, each with 8 A4 sheets
Just looked on ebay, search for vacuum discs felt unscented.
22mm or 30mm, about £6.50 for 50.
Easy enough to cut out a small centre circle with some sharp scissors.
LINKY POO™ https://ebay.us/m/WeTZYv
LINKY POO™ https://ebay.us/m/VBfIkM
I got four packs, each with 8 A4 sheets
Just looked on ebay, search for vacuum discs felt unscented.
22mm or 30mm, about £6.50 for 50.
Easy enough to cut out a small centre circle with some sharp scissors.
LINKY POO™ https://ebay.us/m/WeTZYv
LINKY POO™ https://ebay.us/m/VBfIkM
In reply to Post #17
Quick hijack on this… when you say first do you mean the top washer nearest the cap or the first one you put on when you replace them? Cheers
Quick hijack on this… when you say first do you mean the top washer nearest the cap or the first one you put on when you replace them? Cheers
In reply to Post #34
It shouldn't matter as they all get compressed together.
It shouldn't matter as they all get compressed together.
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