Knobby magging a Jigmaster (or other Bakelite-sideplate reel)

[Carolina Rebel]

Anyone have any experience doing this? If so, will the threads hold up or is static magging the only option?

[sprtsracer]

I have heard of it and even considered it myself. Unfortunately, I don't have any links to anyone who has done it. You can, however, go to Harbor Freight Tools and most any other hardware store and get threaded inserts that are installed like a pop-rivet. I.e. you drill a hole in the sideplate, pop in the appropriate sized threaded insert, and then you can go from there. I don't think the bare bakelite/plastic would hold up over time without a metal insert. I will eventually come up with a mechanism for adjusting the magnet with readily available common parts, just haven't played with it enough yet. If you find anything on the net or any other info, please let me know.

[RegDunlop]

sounds like a great idea but I havent heard of any specific way of doing it

[bstarling]

Will, yes you can do it. I have done a couple of Squidders and a GS525. I think I posted something on the subject, but cannot find them. The trick is to use an insert with external and internal threads. If you have access to a metal lathe you can plug a hole through a stainless bolt then cut some threads with a tap. You can put that through the side plate and secure it with a nut. The knobby goes through the bolt. The other way is to find an insert made for plastic. These have very coarse threads on the outside and normal machine threads inside. I found some of these in the UK, but after getting them I decided they look sort of like something you would use in woodworking and likely could get them at a hardware store. I would fear that the pop rivet sort of inserts would try to expand in the bakalite and crack in open. I would not use one of those for this sort of application.

Bill:fishing:

[Carolina Rebel]

Thanks Bill, I was thinking that might be the way to go--I had to put a heli-coil in my truck not long ago, and I'm sure the same idea might work here. I have equipment here at work that makes use of Teflon screws, thats something else I'm considering--durability is my only concern there.

[bstarling]

Thanks Bill, I was thinking that might be the way to go--I had to put a heli-coil in my truck not long ago, and I'm sure the same idea might work here. I have equipment here at work that makes use of Teflon screws, thats something else I'm considering--durability is my only concern there.

Will,

I've used nylon screws a couple of times and they work just fine. I imagine Teflon would work better yet. You could actually use a stainless steel heli-coil in the side plate and I would think it would be just fine. I think I'd try to set in in place with some epoxy or CA glue to make sure it didn't want to come out though. The limit on tinkering in only in your mind.

Also, on another point. You ask about Millionaire reels in another post. I have an old one and it is great. I have used it in a couple of casting tournaments and actually have posted my personal best with it.

Bill:fishing:

[kingfisherman23]

Bill, if I mailed you my Jigmaster how much would you want for a knobby mag job on it?

Evan

[bstarling]

Evan, Bring it to Charlotte and we'll look at it together. It really isn't difficult to do one of those if you can get some premade inserts. The other option is the boring and threading the inside of a bolt and then cutting down a nut to make the stainless insert. That can involve a lot of work.

Bill:fishing:

[charlesw]

Anyone have any experience doing this? If so, will the threads hold up or is static magging the only option?

Not sure about a jigmaster. I've done a penn 309 and a 330gti. Makes a big difference. here's a link on how to.
http://alamoareaanglers.homestead.com/60.html

I got my magnets from emovendo.net
It works best on an alum. spool, but does work on the older brass/chrome spools.

[sprtsracer]

Not sure about a jigmaster. I've done a penn 309 and a 330gti. Makes a big difference. here's a link on how to.
http://alamoareaanglers.homestead.com/60.html

I got my magnets from emovendo.net
It works best on an alum. spool, but does work on the older brass/chrome spools.

Your link is for "static magging" a reel. Many of us have done that. What Carolina Rebel was referring to was a "knobby mag". In other words...having an adjustable magnet...a knob on the left sideplate to adjust the distance of the magnets from the spool, therefore varying the force applied by the magnets based on wind conditions, sinker and bait weight, etc. We appreciate the link, however.

[Carolina Rebel]

Well its done. I got a 5/16" heli-coil set, drilled the sideplate and tapped the sideplate, trimmed and inserted the heli-coil, screwed the bolt in, put a magnet on it and it works just fine. There's not alot of room for adjustment in this reel, but there is a little and this could make alot of difference casting. With the magnet tightened down I'm getting 1-2 seconds run time on an empty spool, which should make casting a breeze! Loosened up it gets 6-8 seconds, which makes the knobby worthwhile. The only catch is that the bakelite chips when you've drilled almost all the way through, that aside the installation was a breeze. Definitely worth trying, guys!

[sprtsracer]

Well its done. I got a 5/16" heli-coil set, drilled the sideplate and tapped the sideplate, trimmed and inserted the heli-coil, screwed the bolt in, put a magnet on it and it works just fine. There's not alot of room for adjustment in this reel, but there is a little and this could make alot of difference casting. With the magnet tightened down I'm getting 1-2 seconds run time on an empty spool, which should make casting a breeze! Loosened up it gets 6-8 seconds, which makes the knobby worthwhile. The only catch is that the bakelite chips when you've drilled almost all the way through, that aside the installation was a breeze. Definitely worth trying, guys!

Great info, thanks! Now...as a Monday Morning Quarterback...I'm wondering if the following things might help:

1) High speed drill to possibly eliminate the "chipping". (Be careful in plastic as it might melt it) Did you use a drill press?

2) VERY fine threads to improve adjustment/sensitivity.

3) Is there anyway to remove the "knobby" when stripping the reel, or is it "fixed" in place?

Spin times don't sound too bad!