How heavy is a 1/2" dink float and what size of swivel is used to do the test. Some of my centre pins are bushings and some are bearings with the rating of 7 which is the highest grade I will ever go.The reels with these bearings installed will free spool for 2minutes and 50 seconds with a single spin. When I get the weights of the test piece I will try it and see what happens, very interesting topic. I use some balsa floats that are only 1" in length and have a tapered body of no more than 3/4" at the top and taper to 1/4", I run with a black ant swivel and maybe 2 to 3 # 4 dinsmore and my reel will free spool. The use of the centre pin reels have many dependances, bearings versus bushings, oil or other types of lubricant, amount of line on spool and wear on the centre pin which can cause drag if the bearings or busings are not perfectly aligned with the centre pin. The bearings have only microns play between the inner and outer race and this makes the alignment of the centre pin in relationship to the backplate critical on any reel with two bearings. These views are mine and are not to be taken as gospal. I have manufactured many centre pin reels in excess of 100 and have learned about pros and cons of the working of the reels. I am working another model and should have the proto type ready for the fall, I move slow.Well thats all I have to say about the subject.
Tight Lines and good centre pin fishing to all

Robert