mag'n a reel

[T Bone]

hows that kayak coming?

[Fiskadoro]

So thanks to driftwood I realized I already had some magnets sitting around that would work for my Avet SX, as I get D61 neodymium magnets that are each 3/8 in diameter and 1/16 thick with the blinking magnetic micro lights I use to light my hoopnet floats.



On initially reading up on this concept I found that a number of guys were using those exact magnets for their SX's usually in groups of three, glued in a row, flat to the side plate with quite a lot of clearance.

I was actually going to order those exact magnets but since I have maybe a dozen of them sitting around my shop left over from lights I've discarded I figured why not just use what I already have.

I checked the clearances and realized I could mount two stacked on top of each other with enough clearance to glue in 18 gauge sheet metal base plate for them.

Normal I would of thought I'd have to use coated or galvanized steel for this but on testing I found the magnets adhered to almost any metal I put them on as they produce such a strong magnetic field.

So I choose the most corrosion resistant metal I had in the right gauge some polished stainless stock I had left over from a Frank Gerry building downtown (The Disney Concert hall) I don't remember the exact specification but the stuff is bullet proof when it comes to corrosion, and since this is the only part that can't be changed out easily I wanted something that would never corrode.

You have to wonder what Frank would think of metal from his multi-million dollar project going into a reel I bought on eBay for 150 bucks. Hey... what can I say it works fro me. This is why I keep junk like this around from old projects.

So basically I stuck I piece of stainless alloy in the side of my SX, glued it in place then stuck a couple of the magnets from the lights I had sitting around on to it.

I wish I could say this was some profound feat of engineering but in all honesty this is probably the easiest mod I have ever done on a reel, as it only took maybe 15 minutes, and I did not even bother to take the reel off the rod.

I just sheered the stainless with my foot sheer. Cleaned it and the sideplate with some acetone, and then glued stainless tab in place with super glue.

The magnets just stick right on it.





They are on there good, hard to pry back off once on, and they do not seem to want to shift or move, so it should be fine. The only issue I can think of would be corrosion of the magnets themselves, but since I can change them out and have an endless supply this should not be a big deal. They are chromed and I greased this set, but they may still rust so I'm going to be looking at various ways to seal them in the future.

I did some casts with it in the parking lot with a 1 ounce sinker and it may be a bit over magged but it did not seem to want to backlash which is good as far as I'm concerned. I'm using the reel right now for fishing live six inch mackerel so I have no problem with it being a little over magged at this part of the season. If I want to reduce the effect I can just remove one of the D61's and I'm also considering buying a few D601-N52 which are half as thick so I can remove one D61 replace it with the D601 which should create a setting somewhere between two D61s and just one D61.


It will be interesting to see how it behaves with real casting out on the water with larger baits and Iron. It's definitely going to work, now it's just a matter of figuring out how much mag effect I want and what works best for the most applications. As to changing the magnets out all I have to do with the SX is pull to screws and then pry them off the strip. Like I said once on they like to stay on, but you can get them out... LOL

So there you have it... My high tech solution to better casting through advanced micro magnets and somewhat primitive installation technology. Hey it looks cooler then washers... LOL

Since it cost me nothing as I already had the parts sitting around in the shop, and I'll have an endless supply of these magnets since I go through maybe twenty or more of the micro lights a season... Well all I can say is it was a modification definitely worth doing, at least for me.

I'm kinda surprised you don't see more of this being done, pretty easy stuff.

Jim

Originally Posted by T Bone

hows that kayak coming?

Good but slow, I stalled out on it because I had to do another project in the shop, so I had to clear the floor and hang it up for a while... So it's been sitting, but I should have some pics to put up on it shortly. It's going to pretty cool.

Jim

[driftwood]

No worries Jim. I din't mean that your idea would literllay fly, but it was more like in the context of- even if your idea would work/fly. Backlash/birdnest is the thing i hate the most! Especially on a kayak. pls keep us updated on your projects. Your post always keeps my mind stimulated.

P.M. sent.