Felt vs Carbon Drag Question

[GReb]

Is there any difference in drag lbs between carbon and felt washers?  I have an older Shimano Scorpion with carbon washers and the drag is really light even when locked all the way down. Would switching to felt change anything to the pressure?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

No, felt won’t help.  Carbon is a far superior drag material. Max drag is way over rated too. 

[MN Fisher]

17 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Carbon is a far superior drag material.

^ Any reel I get that comes with oiled-felt drag gets updated to carbon-fiber...which I cut myself.

[garroyo130]

make sure the drag washers are installed right () or )(

[GReb]

Figured as much. Everything is correct on the reel it just came 6lb from factory. I’m just used to locking it down where it takes a lot to pull. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

With lighter drag settings (FW spinning gear), I dont notice much of a difference between felt and carbontex performance wise.  Ive heard people say that felt is actually better then carbon with lighter drags, whether its true, I dont know, but I dont replace the felt stacks in my smaller spinning reels, as my drag is rarely over 3.5lbs.  Although I much prefer carbon to felt in for casting reels, its not because its smoother.  If I leave my drag locked down there's no compression, like there is in felt.  

[WRB]

If you can’t effectively adjust the drag force something is wrong with tensioning washers or the drag disk isn’t working.

Smooth Drag makes Carbontex drag washers for your reel.

Tom

[GReb]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

If you can’t effectively adjust the drag force something is wrong with tensioning washers or the drag disk isn’t working.

Smooth Drag makes Carbontex drag washers for your reel.

Tom

That’s where the current washers were purchased. Along with every bearing. I’ve replaced the gear and pinion as well. The washers look fine but maybe it’s worth replacing those as well. It’s just an older project reel I’ve been messing with. 

[GReb]

On 7/1/2023 at 5:21 PM, WRB said:

If you can’t effectively adjust the drag force something is wrong with tensioning washers or the drag disk isn’t working.

Smooth Drag makes Carbontex drag washers for your reel.

Tom

Well I finally disassembled the reel today and discovered the issue. The tension washers were oriented correctly but the washer that goes between them and the drag nut was incorrectly installed between the tensioner washers and the reel.

Magically the drag works perfect now. 
 

 

[ska4fun]

On 7/1/2023 at 4:05 PM, GReb said:

Is there any difference in drag lbs between carbon and felt washers?  I have an older Shimano Scorpion with carbon washers and the drag is really light even when locked all the way down. Would switching to felt change anything to the pressure?

Carbon has more potential drag, since it's self-lubrificating. My curado BFS has carbon drag, who lacks any quality of decent ones.