WANTED: information on Carlton Lightweight Reel

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 8:45 pm

I am interested in learning more about the quick take down mechanism that was used on the Carlton Lightweight reel. Good photos or drawings would be great. Would also consider purchasing a nice example.

regards,
Michael

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:29 am

I thought the Lightweight did not have a quick takedown design, i.e., you need a screwdriver to remove the spool. If that's correct, do you need the QT mechanisms used for the Rochester casting reels?

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:07 am

Steve, I am basing my question on what I read in Antique Fly Reels by DB Homel and a few websites. I am really only interested in learning how this quick release mechanism works (with photos) because I would like to incorporate a similar design in the reels I make. If the Rochester reels have the QT I would be interested in that!

thanks!
Michael

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:58 am

Michael,
Here's a start:
http://www.google.com/patents?q=969234& ... ch+Patents
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id= ... dq=1009818
Let me know if these pique your interest, and I'll shoot some pics. But first let's find out if the Lightweight has a QT of its own. Maybe I'm wrong.

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:50 am

Thanks Steve. I had searched for Carlton's patents but it does not appear that he patented the mechanism in the Lightweight reel. The Wollensak patents are interesting but different than how I understand the Carlton mechanism to work. Hopefully someone with a Lightweight will chime in and give us the definitive answer!

cheers,
Michael

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:01 am

I found this post from January by Reel Geezer:

"I've never seen a Lightweight that wasn't designed to be disassembled by squeezing the pillars. I'd guess that you are correct that some anglers peened the pillar ends to prevent accidental opening. I believe that all worked properly when manufactured, otherwise how would Carlton have put the reel together? "

(http://reeltalk.orcaonline.org/viewtopi ... lightweigt)

This was what I was thinking. Apparently it has something to do with the pillars but the one photo I have of the reel does not look unusual. Perhaps the entire front plate rotates and releases all the pillars? I did order Mr White's book on Carlton and Rochester reels. I'm a sucker for interesting mechanisms!

cheers,
Michael

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 1:06 pm

Before I posted above, I checked a couple of sites, including Phil's, and the Lightweight shown here looks as if a screwdriver's required:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1892884
With these, I can't tell from the pics whether or not those are screws holding the cranks:
http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif? ... sterreels/
I'd check Phil's book, but I'd have to stand up to find it. Help!

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:07 pm

Thanks, I've seen the 1st picture but not the one on flickr (although it is pretty blurry).

The description talks about the pillar to frame connection being unique and that the spool can be accessed (removed?) without tools.

I would also like to know how the foot is attached since the reel only has 4 pillars and the lower 2 do not look like they attach the foot bracket.

Michael

Kevin Kinnear · Post by **Kevin Kinnear** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:42 pm

The light weight front frame and spool pop out at the pillars. You slightly squeeze the side plates and turn slightly and the two frame pieces come apart. It is a nice feature. Sorry I don't have a picture for you. The pillars have a recess on the end which provides a groove for the frame to slide into once it is together.

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 6:53 pm

Thanks Kevin, this is what I imagined it to be based on the descriptions I've read.

Jim Schottenham · Post by **Jim Schottenham** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:24 am

Hi Michael,
Hope these help - the pillars apply outward pressure once the head cap is fit into the grooves - I think the pics will tell the story better than I can describe.
Here are both side-mount and upright versions of Carlton Amateurs:

The side-mount version with the head plate/spool removed - as you can see there are no screws keeping the head plate on. I left the handle screwed to the spool:

I think you can see the grooves better here:

Here is a side view:

Here is the upright version - same set up:

The upright version showing the foot pillars also:

I can tell you that the upright version is tougher to take apart, mostly because of the foot pillars having that "brace".

Jim

EclecticGuy · Post by **EclecticGuy** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 11:13 am

Thanks Jim, this is exactly what I was looking for. I am very enamored with this mechanism for some reason!

Could I trouble you for some more info on the click mechanism? A close up of the click and a photo of the other side of the reel would be great. It looks like there is an adjustment knob for the click - perhaps to set the click pressure?

Thanks again!
Michael

WANTED: information on Carlton Lightweight Reel

WANTED: information on Carlton Lightweight Reel

maybe some insight

Carlton Breakdown

Pictures

Thank you!