Where to get bronze bushings?

[BigT]

Does anyone know a supplier for bronze bushings in various sizes that are easy to order for reels? Something like a 'Boca of Bushings'


Thanks, BigT

[wallacewt]

i asked pure fishing in usa.they gave me 8 suppliers ph#.all in the usa. abu garcia 1-800-228-4272.fenwick,mitchell,shakespear,johnson etc;i tried oz supp; and cant get any sense out of them. all 7000 reels are interchangeable bearings and bushes.  on another note,7000syncro has a recommended 19lb maxi drag!and the 6600ld bc 6.5lb/20lb line.cheers

[dylan]

I think there were a few at McMaster-Carr.  Not sure they were the right size though...was just shopping for bearings. 
I can have some manufactured as well.  We've got some guys idle and we have the right equipment to do this...if interested email me at dmason at vaporcor dot com.   

Dylan

[alantani]

dylan, can you put up a link, photos, anything?

[dylan]

There are many ways to skin this cat. 

Go to mcmaster.com.  type "bearings" in the search box.  now you can look at ball bearings or sleeve bearings or others.  then click
on "sleeve bearings"...now you can refine your searching by sizes, material, etc.  I compared prices here vs. Boca Bearing.  pretty comparable, in my humble opinion.  I think Boca had more selection in the smaller sizes.  McMaster had what I needed plus plastic hinges for coolers so I ordered there.  been shopping there for years for work stuff and I like doing business with them. 

another way to find them -- if you are a page turner -- search for part number:  6381K405.  then, read the description and say mean things about me because this doesn't quite fit your application.  then on the left side, click on "catalog page."  use the left/right arrows near the top of the page to flip around.  spend some time figuring out the site.  it's really good and very powerful.  they stock tons of stuff.   

BUT -- the best way to skin this cat is to have an unemployed machinist with a small high precision lathe in Bend, Oregon, cut some for your application.  That isn't me but it's a guy I (used) to work with.  Our shop is shutting down and we are scratching around for work.  If you can find the size you need, in all reality we won't be able to match the price.  But, if you can't, Phil can cut you some.  We'll need to do a minimum order or something. 

[alantani]

Thanks!  I'd actually start with the bearings from the ambassaduer 4, 5 and 6000 series.  Replacing those bearings would be the best place to start.  Alan

[Killerbug]

You can order ABU bronze bushings in Sweden

http://shop.lundgrensfiske.com/product.asp?product=6853

Also UT Technology have Bushings, specially made in Oilbronze. Order them at info@utreel.com(just write in english)

http://www.utreel.com/se/

[alantani]

thanks for the link!

[Irish Jigger]

Nice to see bronze bushings back in vogue. I think a lot of good reels went downhill fast when they moved to China and had their bushings replaced with ball bearings.
Repaired some Chinese Penn Captivas recently. They have 11 (Chinese) s/steel ball bearings and no bushings. Cheap as chips!  The  better quality bb's I replaced cost as much as the original reels. They even have  2 bb's in the spool. I may appear cynical but my old Spinfishers  and 112H's have endured a lot over many years and the bronze /brass bushings never let me down.

[Alto Mare]

I hear you, Irish Jigger. I have some old spinfishers with no ball bearings, the reels are probably smoother then the day they were made. I wonder if they stopped producing them do to low demand for service/ maintenance or no need to buy more than one. Today you hear about 18 to 24 ball bearings, it makes me laugh! Some of the record breaking stripers here in the NE were cought on spinfishers with one ball bearing and bushings, we're talking over 70lb fish.

[Killerbug]

Bronze bushings are in my opinion better than bearings for heavy loads. Last longer using lures over 3 ounces. But they do not perform
well until they are properly polished, either by use, or by polishing with toothpaste.  Also they do not rust

Would be awesome to get some Bronze bushings for my Calcutta 400.

[Wintu]

 Small parts. com = Mc Master Carr of the R&D world