GTPopping.com - Giant Trevally, GTPopping, Topwater & GT Fly-Fishing Resource

Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Ben Rutkin on January 24, 2010, 10:23:08 PM

Title: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 24, 2010, 10:23:08 PM
Guys,

Have never removed the drag cover from my stella spool.  Im assuming from the schematic that it is threaded but cannot even nearly get it off.

Ive put the majority of my effort into anti clockwise but still nothing.

Providing Im doing it right, any suggestions as to how i might get a better grip. If Im doing it wrong, please enlighten me.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Travis Heaps on January 24, 2010, 10:31:25 PM
Do you just mean the drag knob Ben?  Anti-clockwise is the right direction...just keep twisting, it can feel like its loose but will still be just attached. 

What about the spool have you ever had that off?  If you have the spool off then that top cap should just slip out of it's recess, try banging it upside down on your hand if it won't just lift out with the spool off, it could be gunked up a bit maybe?  Strange one...
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 24, 2010, 10:33:19 PM
Nonono - Underside of the spool....

I have massive mitts and cant get a purchase on the cover on the underside of the spool as its recessed in.

Thanks for the response all the same.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Travis Heaps on January 24, 2010, 10:57:24 PM
Nonono - Underside of the spool....

I have massive mitts and cant get a purchase on the cover on the underside of the spool as its recessed in.

Thanks for the response all the same.
Ahhh - I didn't think you were a simpleton... :D  ;) Can't help you with that cover  :D
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 24, 2010, 11:00:04 PM
Hehe Im not in the clear yet...........
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Travis Heaps on January 24, 2010, 11:03:26 PM
rightio we're in this together now...pulling mine apart as we speak
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Jon Li on January 24, 2010, 11:14:17 PM
Guys ,

May be this helps : http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f72/shimano-stella-8000fa-2863/ (http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f72/shimano-stella-8000fa-2863/)

The posting is courtesy of Fred from Atlanta - Ga - USA .

Jon .
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Travis Heaps on January 24, 2010, 11:20:20 PM
Guys ,

May be this helps : http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f72/shimano-stella-8000fa-2863/ (http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f72/shimano-stella-8000fa-2863/)

The posting is courtesy of Fred from Atlanta - Ga - USA .

Jon .

That is one brave dude...thanks a lot for that post though Jon, awesome.

The answer to the question is that he made a special tool out of PVC pipe to fit the cover for the 8000FA he's pulling apart.  The cover looks different to the 10k though.  Can't really tell if it's threaded - must be though.  Far out it's hard to do with bare hands - you have a sore thumb from pushing on the bit where the screws go in Ben?

Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 24, 2010, 11:24:41 PM
Thats awesome and at the 3rd dan black belt level.
Im at the yellow belt level where I need to get into the drag cover (ie where he used a homemade tool from PVC tube - that wont help me on the 10000FA because it has nowhere to key onto)

Again - appreciating the help.

Yeah feels like ive just twisted 10x 100lb leaders by hand.  Hence bailed and asked for help.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Travis Heaps on January 24, 2010, 11:48:48 PM
After failing ti remove it with brute force i've resorted to brain over brawn...the only time the spool moves is when drag is being ripped off by a killer GEE.  When it is it's spinning CLOCKWISE, turn the spool upside down and look at the drag cover, it would be spinning ANTI-CLOCKWISE...so I deduce (and I may be wrong here) that the drag cover is reverse threaded so that it does not undo when drag is being ripped off (by a killer gee).  Hence you should be twisting it CLOCKWISE to try and undo it.  What do you think?
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 24, 2010, 11:57:48 PM
I tried both ways hence the 'predominantly anti-clockwise' comment.

I cant get anywhere with it.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Travis Heaps on January 25, 2010, 12:03:39 AM
throw it in the bin, buy a new reel
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 25, 2010, 12:05:52 AM
Hah! Im no simpleton - Ill buy a new spool!
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Travis Heaps on January 25, 2010, 12:08:33 AM
Hah! Im no simpleton - Ill buy a new spool!

 ;D :D hahahah
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 25, 2010, 12:14:06 AM
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=596.0 (http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=596.0)
I dont feel so stupid now....
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Hon-Su Chin on January 25, 2010, 12:50:58 AM
I had the same problem too with the 20k FA spool. Ended up fabricating a tool similar to what that guy used but with only one cutout. The drag cover on the 10/20k FA is different to the smaller reels. Its also locktite in as well!! So brain and brawn was required to undo it!!
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Sachin Chaudhry on January 25, 2010, 05:32:48 PM
Thank God the 10000FA/20000FA reels are such tough pieces of kit. My idea of servicing them is to spray the Shimano grease into the lubrication ports every 3 or 4 months. Considering a couple of my reels are 3 years old and have been fished just about every weekend they have proven to be exceptional value for money. Oh yeah I lubricate the line roller bearing and tighten the screw as well every now and then.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 27, 2010, 08:15:20 PM
Can someone with a new SW 10000/18000/20000 take a photo of the underside of the spool and post please?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Andy Rowe on January 27, 2010, 10:47:32 PM
Can someone with a new SW 10000/18000/20000 take a photo of the underside of the spool and post please?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on January 27, 2010, 11:29:34 PM
Craziness!

Thanks amigo. Any trouble getting the drag covers off?
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Andy Rowe on January 28, 2010, 07:09:44 PM
Craziness!

Thanks amigo. Any trouble getting the drag covers off?

Hi Ben,

I've not had them off yet, I think I'll let the shimano people deal with servicing :-[.

I quite often break mechanical things I'm not familiar with. >:(

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on February 02, 2010, 01:01:51 AM
Have just completed a carbontex drag upgrade on my 10000FA has anyone noticed how much thicker the carbontex washers are compared to the factory standard?

My drag knob is about 1-2 mm proud of the recess now.  Is this standard/acceptable? Im not sure there will be line strong enough to take the full drag pressure - That is assuming I can stay on the deck of the boat.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Hon-Su Chin on February 02, 2010, 01:27:40 AM
Nah you'll find the carbontex washers have more give than the original carbon washers. Initially they sit higher but eventually flatten out and give you a very powerful but smooth drag pressure.

IMO I still dont see the need to replace the Stella's drag washers with something else. They are the best out there I reckon.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Ben Rutkin on February 02, 2010, 01:33:06 AM
Jack Erskine is giving me the Carbontex challenge.

I figured he has some credibility so I let him change the drag washers.  

I didnt put the spool back on till I got home so I didnt get the chance to ask him about the thickness. Thanks for the feedback.
Title: Re: Stella 10000FA Drag cover
Post by: Brandon Khoo on February 02, 2010, 08:33:01 AM
I agree with Hon-Su. Over many years, I've given the drags in my Stellas an absolute belting and they've taken everything I've thrown at them. I don't see any need to replace them.


Nah you'll find the carbontex washers have more give than the original carbon washers. Initially they sit higher but eventually flatten out and give you a very powerful but smooth drag pressure.

IMO I still dont see the need to replace the Stella's drag washers with something else. They are the best out there I reckon.