|
Paul Bright of Reel Value, who specialises in
supplying replacement stainless or ceramic bearings for your favourite
fishing reels, recently contacted me, to tell you all about the latest
products. You will recall stories of the
nose of the Space Shuttle being coated with ceramic tiles to prevent heat
damage on re-entry to our atmosphere. Well, there's a spin-off which
has now made its way into fishing reels.
Ceramics are incredibly hard and dissipate heat very effectively.
Where is the most likely source of heat in a modern
fishing reel? What needs to be absolutely precise and low friction
to enable the spool to rotate freely? Yes, you already knew the
answer, the spool bearings.
|
Sensibly priced "Ceramic"
reel bearings are now available from Paul Bright at “Reel Value”, a reel servicing
business based locally in Newton Abbot.
I obtained sets for my own Abu
“Mag Elite” beach reels and my Penn “525 Mag”. They really are
simplicity to fit at home.
 |
Exploded view
showing extremely
smooth & durable
black ceramic
ball bearings |
You remove the spool and then
carefully release the circlips which retain the existing two
bearings in position on the spool spindle. You take off the steel
bearings and substitute them with the replacement ceramic
bearings. You should lightly lubricate the new ceramics with a
couple of light spots of “Red” or “Yellow” Rocket Fuel bearing
oil, or, for general sea angling use by lesser mortals, you can
use “3 – in – 1” oil, which is freely available at most retail
outlets.
I found the reassembled reels
took several casts for the bearings to “run in”, but once they had
bedded down, they gave noticeably improved smoothness and quieter
running. They should last longer and require reduced maintenance,
minimising the rusting sludge you sometimes see oozing from some
old and unloved traditional bearings.
I can see that if I was a
really long caster, they should add a few yards extra distance
too, but I’m not, so I can’t confirm that! They just worked
really well and cast smoothly with no serious overruns on either
reel.
My fishing pal Tim Bird has
since bought a couple of pairs to replace the bronze bushes which
are the original equipment on his Abu 7000 series boat reels. You
know the model - it’s the one with red anodised end plates. They
fitted really easily in the manner I have already described and
are a significant improvement on the previous spindle bushes.
Stop Press
– Reel Value can now also supply ceramics for the Daiwa 7HT reel
at £17, and for the Shimano Speedstar reels - enquire for details.
You can visit Reel Value’s web
site at
www.reelvalue.co.uk where you will see a special offer on
the cost of the replacement ceramic bearings. Presently you can
buy them for the Abu 6000 series at £16 - the Daiwa SL20SH for
£17–– and the Penn 525 at £18, which is a significant saving over
their previously advertised prices, or if you don’t have web
access, you can contact Paul Bright via the Email and postal
addresses below. |
If you have any reservations regarding your ability
to do this, Paul is offering a free fitting service, simply send in your reel
and pay for the bearings - they will be fitted free of charge - of course
this does not include the cost of return postage on your reel, which is
£3.50. So if you
want to maximise your ability to cast further with your beachcaster, or
just let your line run more freely when boat fishing, or even - heaven
forbid - you noticed traces of brown rusty sludge around the old bearings
in your reel, you know the modern answer ....
For more information, contact Paul Bright at ...
Reel Value
PO Box 133
Newton Abbot
TQ12 5XE 
enquiries@reelvalue.co.uk
www.reelvalue.co.uk
|
