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I have been using this bobbin for a while now....purchased elsewhere before J.Stockard handled them....and it is by far my favorite bobbin.Easy adjustment , and they seem well made. I have both the standard and the compact model, but find the compact model particularly comfortable to use, Highly recommended.
I purchased two of the original Elite Disc Drag Bobbins from J. Stockard last September. It looked like an upgrade from the Rite Bobbin, which I have purchased several and used in the past. When I received them, I spooled and used several different threads from 70 to 140 denier from various manufacturers. The upside of this bobbin is it is comfortable in the hand. The adjustment is continuous. Although there is no ceramic insert to protect thread from fraying, it has some sort of coating that provides such protection. The threads slides out of the tube smoothly. The diameter of the thread tube is small and ideal for a wide range of thread sizes and flies. The overall quality of materials is excellent. The downside of this bobbin can be exasperating. The adjustment may be fine, but both of mine won't remain in the adjustment. Several times I had left my bobbin hanging from the bobbin cradle only to find the bobbin on the floor in a pile of unspooled thread. Too often the thread slides off the spool and catches into the adjustment mechanism. Then, I have to take the mechanism apart to untangle the thread. So, it's back to the Rite Bobbin for me or the Umpqua wishbone bobbin.
First off this bobbin is excellent to use when tying. The disc drag is amazing in terms of tension control. It feels great in the hand and is a real pleasure to use. My only complaint is when changing spools of thread there are a lot of little parts you need to keep track of when removing the disc drag. I'm always concerned I'll drop one when trying to get the spool switched out.
These are quality tools, and will give excellent service if you take a minute to examine them. Neither the end caps or the axle turns at all. Drag on the thread spool is accomplished via how much compression the conical shoulders on the end caps exert on the thread spool. That neoprene and hard plastic washer isn't a drag disc, it functions as a spring. By compressing the neoprene more tension is exerted on the thread spool by the conical necks of the end caps. With some spools their length is too much to allow adequate thread engagement of the tension adjustment cap. Just remove the neoprene washer and you'll have full engagement of the threads on the adjustment cap and it won't want to come off so easily, plus you'll still have good tension control.
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