I just ordered some ceramic bearings for a bunch of Fin-Nor Ahab #12/#8 reels I came across, and I am fairly excited about putting them in. Has anyone else had any experience with them in their reels? There is some good info at http://www.bocabearings.com/ although they are a bit pricey. I ordered mine from http://www.vxb.com after measuring the ones I was looking to replace.
-Dave
Ceramic bearings for reels
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
-
Chalk
- Moderator
- Posts: 11996
- Joined: March 9th, 2002, 8:00 pm
- Location: 30° 13' N, 85° 40' W
- Contact:
Never tried them, but have read about them...You need to order you some Rocket Fuel to go in them bearings...http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/lubricants.stm
Let us know how the bearings work out for you....
Let us know how the bearings work out for you....
-
Chalk
- Moderator
- Posts: 11996
- Joined: March 9th, 2002, 8:00 pm
- Location: 30° 13' N, 85° 40' W
- Contact:
Here's a test between the ceramics and ABEC bearings....ABECs are metal bearings, upgrades from OEMs...http://heartlandtackleservice.com/ceramictest.stm
-
KarstRanger
- Site Sponsor
- Posts: 270
- Joined: April 6th, 2005, 4:08 pm
- Location: Suwannee River near Mayo
-
CoachDitka
- Posts: 37
- Joined: July 28th, 2005, 3:47 pm
I just put a set of TG's Rocket Bearings (ceramic), lubricated with rocket fuel in an older Curado. Smoother, hmmm maybe. It was already pretty smooth. Casting distance = 129 feet with a skitterwalk topwater lure. Feels about the same distance as before. Not sure if these bearings are worth the $40.00 price tag. I need to water test them.
-
Chalk
- Moderator
- Posts: 11996
- Joined: March 9th, 2002, 8:00 pm
- Location: 30° 13' N, 85° 40' W
- Contact:
Red label.... 
They use it to slow down the reels that are too fast....You'd be better off with 3in1....you'll have to clean that oatmeal out of the bearings first...
They use it to slow down the reels that are too fast....You'd be better off with 3in1....you'll have to clean that oatmeal out of the bearings first...They come shipped bone dry with no oil in them. If you find them to be too fast, you can add a small drop of your favorite bearing oil to slow them a bit. Heavier oil will slow the bearing even more if desired.
Interesting test/comparison. Got a question for you Chalk (or anyone else who wants to provide input). Is there an internet source for the "how to" information on how to maintain or tune a baitcaster. I did a brief couple of searches but didn't find anything. In other words explanations on how the brake systems work, how the "pins" affect the system...how many to pull out, how to clean bearings, how much and what to use to lube and what should be or should not be lubed. I guess I'm looking for baitcaster maintenance 101. Thanks.
"Good Judgement" comes from experience, ... and a lot of that..... results from "Bad Judgement".
-
Chalk
- Moderator
- Posts: 11996
- Joined: March 9th, 2002, 8:00 pm
- Location: 30° 13' N, 85° 40' W
- Contact:
Look under the articles section of this site, they provide cleaning tips...http://heartlandtackleservice.com.
If you want to learn about reels do some seaches on Distance Casting. You'll find alot of information on mid size reels, I love reading the ones where the guy "dumps" a TLD 20....That equates to making a cast and emptying the spool
aka reel porn 
Best way to learn how to tune one is use...I have been using them for close to 20 years and I have my moments, but I live on the edge..Kinda like racing "loose and out of control equals fast." I run my cast controls loose for optimum distance, sometimes I win the race and other times I hit the wall...
Do a search on reel repair as well....alot of reel repair sites have tips and suggestions on maintenance and hot rodding reels
If you want to learn about reels do some seaches on Distance Casting. You'll find alot of information on mid size reels, I love reading the ones where the guy "dumps" a TLD 20....That equates to making a cast and emptying the spool
aka reel porn Best way to learn how to tune one is use...I have been using them for close to 20 years and I have my moments, but I live on the edge..Kinda like racing "loose and out of control equals fast." I run my cast controls loose for optimum distance, sometimes I win the race and other times I hit the wall...
Do a search on reel repair as well....alot of reel repair sites have tips and suggestions on maintenance and hot rodding reels
It aint purdy when he hits the wall.Chalk wrote:Best way to learn how to tune one is use...I have been using them for close to 20 years and I have my moments, but I live on the edge..Kinda like racing "loose and out of control equals fast." I run my cast controls loose for optimum distance, sometimes I win the race and other times I hit the wall...
What was I supposed to do today?
Re: Ceramic bearings for reels
I would say if they offer alot better corrosion resistance then they may be worth it for those reels, but a spinning reel does not need high speed bearings, there is no real benefit. The bearings in a spinning reel only help keep the gears and shafts in-line and help the reel feel "smoother", but a good set of anti-corrosion bearings such as the ones shimano and diawa use should be plenty good enough for spinning reels.CoachDitka wrote:I just ordered some ceramic bearings for a bunch of Fin-Nor Ahab #12/#8 reels I came across, and I am fairly excited about putting them in. Has anyone else had any experience with them in their reels? There is some good info at http://www.bocabearings.com/ although they are a bit pricey. I ordered mine from http://www.vxb.com after measuring the ones I was looking to replace.
-Dave
Now for baitcasting reels it can help casting distance but I would say only with very light weights will there be a difference, and probably not huge difference. And again only replace the bearings that support the spool, that is where you need ultra-smooth high speed bearings.