Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: Steelynorm on September 24, 2025, 03:39:45 PM

Title: Bates Reels?
Post by: Steelynorm on September 24, 2025, 03:39:45 PM
Anyone get their hands on one and tear one down yet?
Hopeful that an American made baitcaster can be successful in a very crowded market.
Title: Re: Bates Reels?
Post by: JasonGotaProblem on September 24, 2025, 04:13:33 PM
"designed in America" it's Chinese made. There's another thread on these that went pretty in depth. My boss bought one, before talking to me. he likes it. I asked him to send it my way when it needs service so I can look inside. But that's pretty open ended so I wouldn't hold my breath.

Quick random loosely related thoughts: after we service a reel, does it become "assembled in the US from foreign components?"
I mean, we're reassembling it...
Title: Re: Bates Reels?
Post by: jurelometer on September 24, 2025, 04:15:19 PM
Not made in the USA.  "Designed" in the USA.  Probably mostly generic Chinese parts, but with a one piece machined aluminum frame.  When we last checked these out, there was an aluminum handle shaft (eek!), along with an aluminum main gear.

One  sign that these are mostly contract reels and not a fresh design is  there is a one-way bearing for anti reverse.  There was  also a ratchet that could be the typical backup anti-reverse, but without any dog, making the ratchet an unnecessary  part.  Not something that would be designed from scratch.


More info on the reels and the company in these  threads:

https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=38913.0 (https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=38913.0)

https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,37255.0.html (https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,37255.0.html)

-J
Title: Re: Bates Reels?
Post by: Gfish on September 24, 2025, 08:01:48 PM
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 24, 2025, 04:13:33 PM"designed in America" it's Chinese made. There's another thread on these that went pretty in depth. My boss bought one, before talking to me. he likes it. I asked him to send it my way when it needs service so I can look inside. But that's pretty open ended so I wouldn't hold my breath.

Quick random loosely related thoughts: after we service a reel, does it become "assembled in the US from foreign components?"
I mean, we're reassembling it...

Ha! Good one.