First of all, I don't think the search feature works, I have done like 20 searches and have come up with no results every time. Anyway, I keep seeing lock nut and then cushioned lock nut, the difference sounds obvious but I am not sure that I have ever seen a cushioned lock nut and if so did not know it. What kind of improvement if any is there over non cushioned lock nuts. I would imagine that it doesn't matter much because the reel is held tight and if the edge of the reel gets scratched who cares it is covered. No idea, looking to the pros once again. I wish Tom's book would get here already. This mail back up is a pain in my butt.
James



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2008 06:04PM by James Willard.

James, I think what you are referring to are cushioned, or non-cushioned reel seat hoods. The part where the toes of the reel mount fit into the reel seat have a liner on the cushioned ones. I personally like the cushioned seats better. The reel doesn't seem to be able to move from side to side like they can on an uncushioned reel seat. Either one will work fine holding a reel, though.

Thank you, yes I did mean cushioned seat hoods, I had double aluminum lock nuts on the brain. I hate single graphite lock nuts positioned under the reel. I find that my hand constantly loosens it and so I spend the whole day re tightening it. That will not happen on my rods. (Crossing my fingers, knock on wood). And that makes perfect sense, I think that it would be worth the couple extra bucks for a good firm grip. Thanks
James

If you fish in saltwater, you will find that the cushioned reel seats work better since they don't wear the paint off of your reel seats, which helps prevent corrosion. It's not an issue with graphite reels or reels with bare metal seats.
Cushioned reel seats do also hold the reel better in general but if a reel moves around side to side, chances are its a matter of the seat being too large.

The cushioned seats allow for expansion and contraction of the seat and/or reel feet. They act as sort of a "rubber band." So once you tighten up on a reel, the seat hoods stay tight, for years at a time even.

For the most part, the advent of cushioned reel seat hoods in the 1980's forever solved the problem of reels coming loose.

.................

James Willard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you, yes I did mean cushioned seat hoods, I
> had double aluminum lock nuts on the brain. I hate
> single graphite lock nuts positioned under the
> reel. I find that my hand constantly loosens it
> and so I spend the whole day re tightening it.
> That will not happen on my rods. (Crossing my
> fingers, knock on wood). And that makes perfect
> sense, I think that it would be worth the couple
> extra bucks for a good firm grip. Thanks
> James


Even more important when your customer is going to use a high end reel with a magnesium body for saltwater use

Thanks Tom and everyone, that makes perfect sense and all of those reasons are worth a few extra bucks to me separately, but together it is a no brainer. Thanks again.
James