what's different about this picture?

[alantani]

guys, do you see it?





how about a close up picture?



well, this one has drag grease on it already, but that's not it.






yeah, there you go! there is no retaining ring.

i opened up this avet a couple of weeks ago and got a little surprise. the drag washer was glued in. there was no retaining ring. i had to order up some parts and i asked the lady at avet about the change. she told me they started gluing the drag washers to the spool about 6 months ago because of problems they've been seeing with salt deposits under the drag washer. i think she was probably referring to something like this....



and this....



a full coat of glue should eliminate the risk of salt growing under the drag washer. unless they miss a spot. then the drag washer may develop high spots from corrosion underneath. it would be the same problem that is seen with some of the badly corroded drag washers from the penn internationals. if this glued in avet drag washer becomes sticky and can't be cleaned, it will have to be shipped back to avet for a new drag washer. i did not ask about the cost of this service for reels that are out of warranty. old finnor reels also had a cork drag washer that was glued to the spool. i can imagine that it would have created problems if a finnor reel with a drag problem could ONLY be returned to the manufacturer for this service. i hope avet fares better with this decision.

[DaFrogman]

Alan,

Thanks for updating us on this change in AVET's drag design. As well as the cases you have cited, I also note that Duel do the same thing with their Speedy 12 and 20 reels.

I believe that it is possible to remove the washer and glue in a new washer, but like you I would query the utility of this feature for anglers who work on their own reels or use their reels in far out places a long way away from an agent or parts supplier.

There has been a whole heap of web based discussions on AVET's position with greased washers and aftermarket use of grease on their washers and the Sarkis brothers are well aware of what you and many others (me included) are doing with greased drags.

In the past, I am sure that improper grease type was the culprit for many greased drag failures, but with the availability now of greases designed specifically for drag applications, this should no longer be an issue, especially with the smaller and midsized reels that probably see more use around the world than the larger game sized reels.

Thanks for the info.

Saimee

[Sportfisherman]

Hi ,

I was just about to mention the old Tritton construction as far as the drag assemblies being enclosed but decide to look at the thread on Tritton BeastMaster , this Avet reel's drag assemblies will just have to be a high maintenance issue for the owner , in my opinion and it will be wise to have extra drag washers when going for a multiday fishing trip to remote places .

I have the very first Tritton TLD which still work but I don't do much trolling anymore but was impressed by the screw in plate of the drag assembly then , Shimano engineer did create a very good reel then and was years ahead of everybody back in the late 80' , if not mistaken .

Thanks for giving us such detailed step by step procedures in reel rebuilding / refurbishing .

Jon .

[DaFrogman]

Jon,

What AVET has done is to glue the drag washer into the spool..... that makes it very difficult to change, 'cos you have to pry/cut the glued in washer off the spool without damaging the spool. Then try and remove the old glue stuck in the spool drag housing, then glue a new washer in and wait for the glue to dry properly before using it....and use the right glue...

I prefer the old retaining ring and greased drags. At least you could check under the washers and use both sides of the washer if one side got contaminated with oil or something like that.

How have things been at Komodo?...

Saimee

[Sportfisherman]

Originally Posted by DaFrogman

Jon,

How have things been at Komodo?...

Saimee

Hi Saimee ,

With the shifting of monsoon season , it's still raining occasionally in Komodo now and therefore not so good for GT popping which requires clear water , hence I would venture to saya MAY BE the season will start late , perhaps May ~ June instead of a month earlier ?

I have a group of friends who went in the 2nd week of April , the first day it rained and on the last day ( 4th day ) it rained too , hook up numbers were good but size were disappointing , the heaviest is only 30+ kg , a higher percentage of Red Bass hook ups and GT hook ups were down , consistent with murky water situations .

I may be going there in Nov.~Dec. , have to go overseas again next month .

Jon .