Pimp my reel II

[Paul H]

Here’s another reel teardown. This time it’s a shimano charter special 1000. It’s a slick little lever drag reel, I don’t recall how much 30# mono backing it has on it, but it has 250yds of 30# powerpro. Plenty for salmon and rockfish, and really no reason not to use it on chickens. In the stock configuration it’ll easily produce 7# of drag at strike and 10# max. Hang 10#’s off your salmon rod and you’ll find that is more than enough drag.



The first step is to take off the goodies on the side of the reel.

Putting the small bits in a ziplock is highly advised. You should be able to tear the reel down and put it back together in well under ½ hour, but an interruption or two can delay that, so be safe and bag it.

Here’s what the reel looks like when you pull off the side plate.

When you pull out the spool and unscrew the side cover, here’s what you find in side, titanium drag plate and a canvas drag washer.

 

[Paul H]

Here’s the other end of the spool. Under the plate is another bearing, and the stack of bellville washers that provide the drag pressure.

False economy was getting Penn #6-5600 drag washer for $6.25 vs. spending $10 for a carbontex. The od of the peen drag washer is perfect, but the id needs to be opened up. At first I opened it up to 5/8”, and that allows you to re-assemble the reel, but it won’t free spool.

The washer on the right was opened up to 5/8”.

So the quicky open it up, reel-x the bearings, plop in a new drag washer and button it up wasn’t so quick. And of course I didn’t notice my booboo until doing the second reel. I still need to open up the first reel and bore out the washer.

Here are the washers after properly opening up the one on the left.

 

[Paul H]

Here’s a comparison of the stock handle on the bottom to a tld 15 handle. If you feel like you want a slightly longer handle, the tld15 or replacements for the tld will drop right on. I can’t see any reason to replace the factory crank, it feels just right to me, but a lighter aluminum crank would be nice.

Just remember on re-assembling to index the line on the reel to the level wind gate. There shouldn't be a problem as the position of the level winder shouldn't move when you put it back together, but keep an eye on it. Also put some grease on the misc pawls for corrosion protection.

Ready to go fishing

The reel is much smoother after hitting the bearings with reel-x, and the drag seems smoother as well.

 

[VernAK]

Paul.

A few comments:

Don't you just love the simplicity of the TLDs and Charter Specials. The Penn Internationals are much more challenging. I've gotten rid of my Penns.

I know the fellow that designed the TLDs for Shimano. He lives is CA in failing health but was a walking encylopedia of fishing information and designed and developed various lures. I think he also designed for Penn at one time.

I have a few quality Shimano cranks in my parts drawer that may be of use for your future projects.

Now that you are getting those reels tuned for heavier service, do yourself a favor and fill one with Jerry Brown Line 1.....I buy mine thorugh Basil Pappas at BHP Tackle....he is a one-man-band and provides great service with actual mailing costs. For heavy lines, I use hollow braid and under 60 lb, I use solid braid. I've taken all the Power pro off my reels......