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 ?