After getting bit with the Newell bug, finding this site, rebuilding a few Newells with bearings, Brian's drag stacks, stainless sleeves and dogs. I never really had an issue getting the bearings out with a small pick, but wanted the right tool for the job, and at a reasonable price. I think I found it by watching a youtube video by Tackle Advisors (I like watching the reel teardown videos).
I contacted the maker of the tool, Ernie Odviar through the email in the video. He promptly replied, and filled me in on pricing, two different sizes of bearing pullers for $30. Somehow we got talking about the Tranx 500 and he mentioned he made a pusher for the pin on the spool shaft as well. I had just picked up a Tranx 500 so I bought the pin pusher for another $30.
After seeing another Tackle Advisors vid on "the $1000 bearing" made of DuPont's Vespel Sp-21. I contacted Ernie again and picked one up for my Tranx, along with a few delrin bushings/bearings to replace the handle bearing when it eventually goes kaput on my Tranx and Trinindad.
FYI the $1000 price is just a gag, he has a sense of humor, contact him if you're interested. I won't post his email, but it is available in the youtube video. I wanted to share Ernie's tools with everyone in case you are looking for something like these unique items.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri7jI4SKZK0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsOtTbznpss
Ideally, you wouldn't pull a bearing out by the inside race. That puts all the pressure on the ball cage. The cage is the most delicate part and you risk ruining the bearing. Reaching under to pull it out by the outside race is seldom possible. Reels should be designed to you can push bearings out by the outside race. Most times, all you would need is a small hole that you can poke a small awl through to push the bearing race up and out.
The whole ball bearing issue gets confused because the requirements for jigging and trolling are completely different from those of casting. You can do a lot to a level drag or vertical jigging or trolling reel ball bearing without making a huge difference in performance. Sneeze on a casting reel spool bearing and you'll know it.
-steve
Hi JK47,
I saw the same video, and was in contact with Ernie too. He sure sounds like a fun guy. He has posted the tools to me here in Zimbabwe, so expect them soon. Will let you know how they perform on what I work on, namely baitcasters, and spinners ( under duress I do spinners ) !!
Small world.
Best,
Terry.
Nice simple lookin little bearing puller. A modified Kotter pin?
Steve(Oc1) is right. I'd only wanna pull on the inside race of a ball bearing if I was certain it was bad to begin with and I had a replacement ready. Then again it's called "Bearing Bad tools"...
Cool video. Thanks for posting.
The Bearing Bad tool works on the same principle as the ReelSpeed tool.
nice tool, thanks for sharing
Quote from: JK47 on November 21, 2019, 03:51:49 PM
The Bearing Bad tool works on the same principle as the ReelSpeed tool.
I agree with you 100%
For those that bought the ReelSpeed(no offense to anyone) and paid $300, well guess what, this little tool does the same job the same way for $40.00. I'm not saying it is good practice to pull bearing out by the inner races, however the way that bass baitcasting reels are made, we are dealt with what we have. You have a bearing in a blind hole, and not many ways to remove a bearing that way. Anyway I ordered a set, a model 312 and a 612. I will put them thru the paces, as I will have a lot of reels to clean, since it is cold here now. I will let you know how it works for me. JMO
Mine came in Saturday. Full set with the pin pusher. Owner is a great guy. I have been talking with him all weekend. He is a small shop and loves a challenge. Very creative dude. He is making me another tool for removing spool bearings that are corroded on the spool shaft behind the pin. (Shimano Tekota) I'll let you know how thy work.
Andy
Quote from: Cadman on November 24, 2019, 10:55:14 PM
Quote from: JK47 on November 21, 2019, 03:51:49 PM
a bearing in a blind hole, and not many ways to remove a bearing that way.
Only the toilet paper trick. Alan described it again here not too long ago. When you have to resort to toilet paper you will wish you had left those bearing shields in place.
With forethought, you could drill a small hole from under the bearing and out through the tail plate while the reel is still new and the bearing will still fall out. That is, if the brake mechanism is not in the way. Then push with a piece of wire through the hole to help loosen the ball bearing if it's stuck.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on November 25, 2019, 04:45:42 AM
With forethought, you could drill a small hole from under the bearing and out through the tail plate while the reel is still new aring if it's stuck.
-steve
thats why the best time to service a reel is when is brand new, you can take all the parts out easily including the small bearings and add a nice coat of grease that many reels lack of grease on the most important places, but not many fisherman "believe" in the pre-fishing service.
Quote from: steelfish on November 25, 2019, 05:39:11 PM
Quote from: oc1 on November 25, 2019, 04:45:42 AM
With forethought, you could drill a small hole from under the bearing and out through the tail plate while the reel is still new aring if it's stuck.
-steve
thats why the best time to service a reel is when is brand new, you can take all the parts out easily including the small bearings and add a nice coat of grease that many reels lack of grease on the most important places, but not many fisherman "believe" in the pre-fishing service.
I totally agree with you. When I buy a new reel, I always clean it first to make sure it is done the way I want it. I've never had problems taking bearings out of my reel. It's all the others that I have to clean and service
Contacted ERNIE the day after Thanksgiving, ordered without paying, received them yesterday and paid today. Very easy. Can't wait to try them out.
Tight lines, Brendan.
Nice job showing off that tool JK47, looks like Ernie got the right guy for the job!
I'm wondering how those tweezers would do on a well used reel, instead of a brand new one.
😏
Sal
Well, I received mine about two weeks ago, and have used it on over dozen reels. All I can say is that it worked like promised when I spoke to Ernie. Very well made, very affordable and it just plainly does the job I need it to do without the high investment cost.
Quote from: Zimbass on November 21, 2019, 02:22:04 PM
Hi JK47,
I saw the same video, and was in contact with Ernie too. He sure sounds like a fun guy. He has posted the tools to me here in Zimbabwe, so expect them soon. Will let you know how they perform on what I work on, namely baitcasters, and spinners ( under duress I do spinners ) !!
Small world.
Best,
Terry.
My bearing pullers arrived today. A bit slower here in Africa, than the rest of the world !!
Looking forward to using the, and hope they make life easier.
Ernie is an absolute Gentleman.
Keep you posted, as and when.
Best,
Terry.
Quote from: JK47 on November 20, 2019, 10:32:29 PM
I think I found it by watching a youtube video by Tackle Advisors (I like watching the reel teardown videos). FYI the $1000 price is just a gag, he has a sense of humor, contact him if you're interested. I won't post his email, but it is available in the youtube video. I wanted to share Ernie's tools with everyone in case you are looking for something like these unique items.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsOtTbznpss
i watched the video and i found some of it potentially useful, some of it i disagree with, but mostly i don't care for the humor and the style. guys, if i ever come across as a total "know it all," you have permission to slap me! :-\
Quote from: alantani on January 20, 2020, 05:42:11 PM
Quote from: JK47 on November 20, 2019, 10:32:29 PM
I think I found it by watching a youtube video by Tackle Advisors (I like watching the reel teardown videos). FYI the $1000 price is just a gag, he has a sense of humor, contact him if you're interested. I won't post his email, but it is available in the youtube video. I wanted to share Ernie's tools with everyone in case you are looking for something like these unique items.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsOtTbznpss
i watched the video and i found some of it potentially useful, some of it i disagree with, but mostly i don't care for the humor and the style. guys, if i ever come across as a total "know it all," you have permission to slap me! :-\
Yeah, he can be a bit much, and is definitely geared towards garnering views and subscribers.
It would be great if you guys did some detailed tear down videos of conventional reels.
yeah, that's been on my mind for a long time. it will have to be after i clear out this backlog of reel, clean up the garage, get the weeds pulled..... you get the idea. :-\
So I have most of his specialty tools. I have been backed up on reels but I plan to do a video on these a little more direct to the point. I have a slide hammer kit which helps with removing hard stuck bearings that was also made by Ernie. He is in fact a good guy at least from our conversations via phone. The guy is quite creative to be honest. Im really happy with the tools.
Quote from: TheReelShop on March 19, 2020, 03:44:41 AM
So I have most of his specialty tools. I have been backed up on reels but I plan to do a video on these a little more direct to the point. I have a slide hammer kit which helps with removing hard stuck bearings that was also made by Ernie. He is in fact a good guy at least from our conversations via phone. The guy is quite creative to be honest. Im really happy with the tools.
Yeah, all my interactions with Ernie have been positive, and who I was referring to when it came to the sense of humor.. Tackle advisor is in a world of his own, for better or worse, lol.
Quote from: JK47 on March 19, 2020, 04:59:34 AM
Quote from: TheReelShop on March 19, 2020, 03:44:41 AM
So I have most of his specialty tools. I have been backed up on reels but I plan to do a video on these a little more direct to the point. I have a slide hammer kit which helps with removing hard stuck bearings that was also made by Ernie. He is in fact a good guy at least from our conversations via phone. The guy is quite creative to be honest. Im really happy with the tools.
Yeah, all my interactions with Ernie have been positive, and who I was referring to when it came to the sense of humor.. Tackle advisor is in a world of his own, for better or worse, lol.
LoL I understood initially. Ernies videos with the old school theme song is hilarious while he pulls out a bearing. haahaha
Quote from: TheReelShop on March 21, 2020, 04:33:19 PM
LoL I understood initially. Ernies videos with the old school theme song is hilarious while he pulls out a bearing. haahaha
so, is this turning into a full time job for you?
Quote from: alantani on March 21, 2020, 05:07:43 PM
Quote from: TheReelShop on March 21, 2020, 04:33:19 PM
LoL I understood initially. Ernies videos with the old school theme song is hilarious while he pulls out a bearing. haahaha
so, is this turning into a full time job for you?
Not yet. Right now I'd have to admit its a little bit of both hobby, and side job. I joined this site back in 2014. I began to do reel service for the public in Jan 2016 (2 years fiddling with my own and friends reels). At that same time I opened up my instagram account where I post a lot of my work. I used to work in a 1 sqft space and now Im in 10 x 20 shed of which 3/4 of my reel income supported the shed financially (accumulated over a long period of time). I have not exposed myself more secondary to someone dropping off a huge load of reels. I would not know what to do!!. I currently still work as an RN, so my reel work is done after hours. I'm trying to maybe create a one stop shop for reels/rods/fishing. Currently doing work for a baitshop that recently opened down here, and they've kept me busy plus the "walk-ins". Last year I did officially open The Reel Shop, LLC just in case things got better.
definitely keep your day job!
Quote from: alantani on March 21, 2020, 08:57:06 PM
definitely keep your day job!
Excellent advice by the master!...I agree!
Sal
Quote from: alantani on March 21, 2020, 08:57:06 PM
definitely keep your day job!
Quote from: Alto Mare on March 21, 2020, 08:58:34 PM
Quote from: alantani on March 21, 2020, 08:57:06 PM
definitely keep your day job!
Excellent advice by the master!...I agree!
Sal
Yes, Reel service does not come close at all. For this to "work" you'd need an extension of the sport and provide more than just reel repair.
Quote from: Cadman on November 24, 2019, 10:55:14 PMQuote from: JK47 on November 21, 2019, 03:51:49 PMThe Bearing Bad tool works on the same principle as the ReelSpeed tool.
I agree with you 100%
For those that bought the ReelSpeed(no offense to anyone) and paid $300, well guess what, this little tool does the same job the same way for $40.00. I'm not saying it is good practice to pull bearing out by the inner races, however the way that bass baitcasting reels are made, we are dealt with what we have. You have a bearing in a blind hole, and not many ways to remove a bearing that way. Anyway I ordered a set, a model 312 and a 612. I will put them thru the paces, as I will have a lot of reels to clean, since it is cold here now. I will let you know how it works for me. JMO
Exactly the set I bought as well, handles pretty much any bearing from trout spinners to large conventionals between the two.
well, eventho I started to like working on fishing rods more than working on fishing reels, local captains dont give me a break on repairing and servicing their reels and those are the guys that take me out fishing so, I cant say, NO! ;D ;D
That said, I recently bought some tools to make my life easier when working on reels, as a new cordless screw driver, a bunch of new good quality of hex and torx tips SAE and Metric sizes, smaller cordless dremel for small and quick jobs and last but not least some BAD Bearing tools, just some of the models that are made by Ernie.
recently I was servicing a bunch of new fishing reels for a pre-first use service and I didnt found the pick tool with the bent tip that I use to take the bearings out from blind holes, Im talking about bearings in good shape with not corrosion at all, well I lost more time searching for my pick tool than actually bending the tip to another tool in order to reach the bottom of the bearing and take it out, that made me remember that I saw a tool before here that will help on those situation, so long story short, I contacted Ernie which is the guy behind "Bad Bearing tool" (you need to reach him by Instagram app) and ordered some of his tools to try them out.
I used his tweezers model 312, 612 and the bigger and stronger model 8mm+Mag for the first time yesterday, so far all I can say is clearly they werent made to extract welded/corroded bearings on blind spots but to help to take bearings still in good shape from blind spots and from open spots, I actually dont have a proper tool to take bearings out from blind spots or even open spots, as I said I was using a pick tool with bent tip to release good shape bearings from any of those spots, well, the tweezer spring action Bearing pullers from BadBearingtools do the same but work more as an extention of you hand or likely as long nose plier which all it does it to help you reach the bearing, locking it up and pull gently, sometimes you need to make some twist here and there to help to take the bearing IMHPO this bearing pullers works 3x better than my ex-current bent tip picks.
I also bought a Heavy Duty spool pin extractor which work based on the same idea of the "hedgehood studio tool" but I only bought his Heavy duty model which work on tranx 500 spool, trinidad and torium spools and few other of those same reels, I need to say that this tool also worked pretty good, I still dont know if I will stop using my modified locking pliers that were working good enough for this task, time will tell how long that XHD Tuner pro (spool pin remover) last.
there are already some videos that show the Bearing Bad tools in action but I made a short video of the tweezer tools models I used on a SHimano trinidad 30a reel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfWYwiduxrE