Hybrid Ceramics for a Casting Reel - Oil or NO Oil?

[hotajax]

Drank the Koolade and bot hybrids from Boca Bearing.  Guy on the phone said they are not to be oiled.  He conceded that without oil they are noisy, but with oil they will be slower.

What do you guys say about oil on ceramics?  Thanks.

[ReelClean]

Yes they will be "slower".  Will it make any real world difference?  Well, the metal in the bearing will still rust on exposure to saltwater, and it will have no protection whatsoever.
I have customers tell me how they saw 5min spool spin times on youtube, and I always pose the question:  if you have just fired off a cast that will see the spool spin for more than a minute or so, you have just cast across the bay (you legend ) or you will need a week to pick put the birdsnest from the overrun.  Maybe if your educated thumb has an IQ of 220 then have at it, but for most of us the first thing you are going to do is tie on the lure, then crank down on the cast control to avoid the tangled mess!
Happy to be proven wrong, maybe I just can't cast. 

[hotajax]

I've seen those videos, too.  My justification for buying Boca bearings is easy:  They were cheaper than buying OEM's (which are stainless) from ereplacements.  I have never replaced the origintal bearings after 20 years. 

[jurelometer]

The races in those hybrids will be 440c stainless.  If used in freshwater, corrosion should not be a concern.  But saltwater is a different story.  if you want to run ceramics dry in saltwater, I would argue that they need to be full ceramic and not hybrids.

For saltwater use, I would seat hybrid bearings in a bit of grease, especially if they touch aluminum.  the inside of the bearing would get lubed with TSI or similar, if used for casting.

Ceramics start to shine when used for super high RPM situations where vibration is an issue, but the machinery must be manufactured and assembled precisely enough to benefit from a micron or two less slop, and be running fast enough that the lighter balls can provide a benefit.  Machinery like like dental drills.  Reels are pretty slow and sloppy in comparison.

From what I have read, I would expect that relatively inexpensive ceramic bearings would have more rolling resistance that moderately priced steel bearings.  But a moderately priced steel bearing is still usually cheaper than an inexpensive ceramic.

-J

[ReelClean]

^^^^^^^
Exactly how I service them...

[ExcessiveAngler]

I've seen those videos, too.  My justification for buying Boca bearings is easy:  They were cheaper than buying OEM's (which are stainless) from ereplacements.  I have never replaced the origintal bearings after 20 years. 

All my bearings get lubed, all of them differently, for certain applications!
The only reason, I would not lube a ceramic bearing would be, if I was long-distance tournament casting or practicing!
Ceramics will smooth out, with just a super light touch of oil!
They're super noisy in cold weather as well!
What reel, did you wind up putting them in?

[hotajax]

What reel did I put them in?  ABU Ambassadeur 6500 C3 CT Mag Elite green. 

Question:  the bearings are tiny.  Only 10 mm in diameter.  Has stainless steel shields.  How do I get a shield off that is that small?

[jurelometer]

You don't have to take the shields off.  Lubricant will flow through the gaps,
:
https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,37560.msg444112.html#msg444112

Lots of threads on removing shields if you are still inclined.
-J

[ExcessiveAngler]

What reel did I put them in?  ABU Ambassadeur 6500 C3 CT Mag Elite green. 

Question:  the bearings are tiny.  Only 10 mm in diameter.  Has stainless steel shields.  How do I get a shield off that is that small?

Nice, the Abu Mag Elites are great reels!
At least you'll have the magnet, to help with your spool control lol!

As far as the shields being removed, there's plenty of info here on removing them!
I think there's a tutorial for it, as it was just being discussed, not too long ago!
Do believe, they were using a fishhook to remove the clip and shield!

[ExcessiveAngler]

If you're looking to lube the new ceramics, just add a tiny drop of oil to each bearing!
Then work it in!  Usually lube my bearings on a pencil, add a drop of oil, and then spin the bearing, to see how it feels and the oil works itself into the bearing!
I always, clean the bearings first as well!

[Swami805]

I use a fish hook and a small vice grip to hold the bearing. Half the battle is holding the small bearing

[jurelometer]

I always, clean the bearings first as well!

Good point.

Cleaning off whatever the factory put in  metal  bearings to protect for shipment is important.

Wonder if they put anything in hybrids like they do for all steel.

Also always worth checking for a retainer ring/replaceable shield before digging in with a fishhook.

-J

[hotajax]

Lazy man's way out.  I soaked them in a plastic pill bottle with mineral spirits.  Everytime you walk past the bottle give it a shake and set it back down. 

[thorhammer]

Kills me when I see guys at OBX spending bank souping up a reel for more free spool, then turning the magnets up to cast it without overrun.

[ExcessiveAngler]

Kills me when I see guys at OBX spending bank souping up a reel for more free spool, then turning the magnets up to cast it without overrun.

Just hate, when this happens lol!
Guilty of this myself, not so much dropping a ton of bank though, maybe just a little lol!
But getting them nice and clean, then they're too damn fast! So then, you either have to slow it down or get used to the reel again!
Nothing worse, than getting a reel just the way you like it! Then something dumb happens, and it gets some sand in it!
Then you service it, and it's right back to Mr. speedy lol!