Determining size of braid

[superduty]

Is there any reliable method to determine the size of braid line, assuming one doesn't know the brand?

Why? I have some reels that I had spooled a few years ago that I did not make a note of what lb test the braid is. I also have a couple reels that I bought used that were already filled and it would be nice to know definitively what it is (previous owner wasn't 100%).

 

[phil mckracken]

Micrometer
Then take the width measurements and compare to various line sizes to come up with the best “idea” of what the line actually is.
You should be able to find line widths online

 

[superduty]

Micrometer
Then take the width measurements and compare to various line sizes to come up with the best “idea” of what the line actually is.
You should be able to find line widths online

I have tried that and it seems with the various brands and the small variations between sizes and the difficulty in getting an accurate measurement of braid (which flattens if you pinch it ever so slightly while measuring) my confidence level is pretty low.

 

[surfgoose]

I really have to say that I think that you are being concerned about something that really doesn't matter at all. Braid manufacturing has only a handful of variables, and no matter who puts their label on the finished product, you can pretty easily tell if it is hollow or solid, and if it is made with a small number or large number of individual strands, and if the finish is harsh or smooth to the touch. And those few things will determine the best use that you will put it to.

More than that, and you will have to start thinking about how your car engine is dealing with that different brand of the same octane gas that you put into the tank when you were running low on your road trip.

 

[phil mckracken]

I wouldn’t have low confidence in it. Take the best measurements you can, and remember, different braids have different thickness for various reasons.
I would feel comfortable with looking at what diameter I have, then compare to say…. 3 different manufacturers lines to make an educated guess at what I’ve got on the reel.
Next, you could rig something with say 600lb digital scale and do a break test???
But honestly, if I’m looking at a line size , diameter wise, and I come within .blah blah blah, I’d be confident in it being said test line.

 

[phil mckracken]

Tough. I get it, you could always scrap it all and start over… lol. But that’ll cost you some money

 

[superduty]

Tough. I get it, you could always scrap it all and start over… lol. But that’ll cost you some money

Starting all over is probably a waste of money that is unwarranted.

@surfgoose i do tend to over think things sometimes. This may be one of those times.


hollow or solid. I think it's all solid

small number or large number of individual strands. This i will have to look at.

and if the finish is harsh or smooth to the touch. This I'm experienced enough to tell.


I'll take some new measurements.

 

[michaelj]

You’ll find if your run a break strength test regardless of what # test they label it. The break strength is pretty close to the same across the board based on diameter of different brands. Not necessarily what it’s labeled. ( for example 80# max cuatro is basically the same diameter as 65# izorline braid after 30 tests of each they have almost identical breaking point even though ones labeled 80 and the other 65)

 

[phil mckracken]

Hollow or solid….. there’s other folks on here that could guide you better to send something up if you don’t have needles. I have needles so I’ve never used wire to send it up hollow. You could try a piece of mono or fluro to check.
That’s another rabbit hole to fall in.
Good luck. You’ll get it figured out.
You got this

 

[superduty]

What @MichaelJ says makes it even more complicated, if not impossible to figure out the lb test. If one brand of 80 is the same diameter as another brands 65?

Here are some measurements i just took. The okuma and 16visx have a range, bc the diameter varied after taking measurements in about 15 or 20 spots on the line.


Okuma cavalla 12-ii .44 - .52mm

40nld2. .42mm

16 visx. .44 - .50mm

 

[phil mckracken]

100lb power pro is .46
So I would gues on the 40nlds to be 65
And on the cavalla ?? Power pro at .43 is 80 lb
I think that would be a fair “guess”

Again, that basing off of power pro being.46 and 100lb line which is exactly what I’d put in the 16 visx.
Hope that helps
Different lines have different thicknesses

 

[hucklongfin]

Getting an accurate measurement for braid is hard. Based on the OP’s measurements and Powerpro being .43 and .46 for 80/100 I’d guess the 40n has 80# and the Cavala/16 VISX have 100#.

 

[michaelj]

What @MichaelJ says makes it even more complicated, if not impossible to figure out the lb test. If one brand of 80 is the same diameter as another brands 65?

Here are some measurements i just took. The okuma and 16visx have a range, bc the diameter varied after taking measurements in about 15 or 20 spots on the line.


Okuma cavalla 12-ii .44 - .52mm

40nld2. .42mm

16 visx. .44 - .50mm

My point was that even though one labels it 80 and one labels it 65, they have the same break strength, both of those lines break around 81-83 pounds pressure , they're the same diameter.

 

[hucklongfin]

You have to like the Japanese PE rating that’s based on the actual diameter and not whatever breaking strength the marketing dept wants to put on the label!

 

[phil mckracken]

Getting an accurate measurement for braid is hard. Based on the OP’s measurements and Powerpro being .43 and .46 for 80/100 I’d guess the 40n has 80# and the Cavala/16 VISX have 100#.

Line diameter for power pro 65lb is .41. I’d error on the side of it being lighter than heavier. But that’s just me.
But again, we’re guessing.

 

[stank]

Stretch it tight wipe it with flex-coat, then mic it after it cures...

 

[superduty]

Getting an accurate measurement for braid is hard. Based on the OP’s measurements and Powerpro being .43 and .46 for 80/100 I’d guess the 40n has 80# and the Cavala/16 VISX have 100#.

I agree, it is definitely not easy. I have a mid level digital calipers, not a Starrett. Then, there was definitely a pretty big difference in measurements all along the line.

80 lb on the 40n and 100lb on 16visx makes sense.

80 lb on the cavalla doesn't make as much sense, I am wondering if that is a different brand that might be thicker for 65lb?

 

[superduty]

Stretch it tight wipe it with flex-coat, then mic it after it cures...

When measuring braid should it be stretched tight?

 

[ifish42na]

Sounds like this is all solid braid; hollow is easy to tell. If you have a known sample, i.e. a spool with a label on it, it's pretty easy to figure out what you have just by looking comparatively. Mail me a few feet of each and I'll tell you what it is.

 

[superduty]

Sounds like this is all solid braid; hollow is easy to tell. If you have a known sample, i.e. a spool with a label on it, it's pretty easy to figure out what you have just by looking comparatively. Mail me a few feet of each and I'll tell you what it is.

Very kind offer. I am going to take advantage of this.

Thanks

 

[stank]

When measuring braid should it be stretched tight?

Are you going to stretch it tight when you load it?

It's a weave, and it has very little stretch, so when you pull it tight, the cross-section will get a little smaller, but only because the voids/air are eliminated. Because the strands do not stretch much (if at all), their cross-sectional area can't change significantly.

These are my assumptions, and they could be wrong.

 

[William Charles]

Doesn’t someone have a chart where they weighed 10’ pieces of almost every braid

 

[stephen campbell]

For me it is a fool's errand! My solution is to keep well labeled samples of any I buy, it also helps to have samples of well fished line also.