Drag surface area for a fly reel - Page 2

andreb · #11 (**permalink**) 22-05-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andygrey

There are a few important factors to remember, the main one being that coefficient of friction is non surface area dependant, that is the torque of the brake does not increase with an increase in area of the friction plates (discounting any increase in effective radius).

Cheers

Andy

Ahhhh... I was wondering about that. Also, what about the material that the plate is made from... carbon fibre, cork, metal. Won't those have an influence. I'm pretty sure that some materials would have a higher friction coefficient than others, and if so, how would you factor this into the equation?

smudger564 · #12 (**permalink**) 22-05-2011, 07:53 PM

True there are lots of factors that affect disc braking. Check the link for some inspiration, which I found two nights ago whilst starting out on this.

Brake Jobs | MidCurrent

As for types of drag, ie, Spring & Pawl or Draw Bar. Obviously the Spring & Pawl would be more suited to the light tackle boys and Draw Bar for heavier fishing employing more stopping power.

All I want is a means to measure a given reels drag force. So that, if I pull line off a reel at it's lowest setting, I'll know it's "X" then at it's highest setting it will be "Y".

I know this seems simplistic, but having the right method to measure it, is the key.

Anyone with some reference material on this, dive in and feel free.

Best Regards

Stuart

smudger564 · #13 (**permalink**) 22-05-2011, 10:41 PM

Hi All, Reading so far indicates that the drag surface area, is the measurement of each disc that contacts another, ie disc to disc.

Does that mean both sides of the disc if sandwiched between others? It certainly sounds like.

That's how manufacturers can boast big drag surface areas.....

Just added this for thought that's all. This could be big!!

Regards

Stuart

andygrey · #14 (**permalink**) 23-05-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smudger564

Hi All, Reading so far indicates that the drag surface area, is the measurement of each disc that contacts another, ie disc to disc.

Does that mean both sides of the disc if sandwiched between others? It certainly sounds like.

That's how manufacturers can boast big drag surface areas.....

Just added this for thought that's all. This could be big!!

Regards

Stuart

A big drag surface area will not give you any more drag as friction is non surface area dependant, but will enable the drag to work longer and harder as more energy (mainly in the form of heat) can be dissipated. Therefore a big surface area will not suffer 'heat fade' (the thing that happens when your car brakes get too hot and you need to push increasingly harder on the brake pedal to stop). A large surface area drag will also last longer before it wears out as it will have more material. It's the effective radius coupled with the clamping force and coefficient of friction that determines the amount of drag available.

Reel drags can be 'single plate' with only one friction face, or 'multi plate' meaning that one or more of the plates is sandwiched between two pressure plates.

Cheers

Andy