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Casting Reels Whether
we spend $50 or $500 casting reels require regular cleaning and
lubrication. As a matter of fact the
higher end reels in regular use should be serviced at a more frequent interval in order
to realize the benefits of the improvements that have evolved over the
years. Closer tolerances and tighter fits along with the addition of
ball bearings highlight the importance of clean viable lubrication. A
new out of the box reel will generate more lubrication contamination in
its first months of use simply because of the break-in of the gears.
Although they have been manufactured to higher standards than in the
past the gears do lap themselves to each other leaving a residue of
microscopic metal particles in the grease which does in fact thicken
the grease degrading the quality of the lubrication. Yes, we have
lapped gears with tooth paste and it works but utmost care must be
taken to not allow the tooth paste to splash on any bearings or shafts.
Bearings are a large
part of the casting reel discussion. Lower end bearings are rated as
Abec 3. Abec ratings are an internationally recognized system for
assuring uniform quality by the Abec number. The higher the number the
higher the quality. Abec 9 being the highest standard rating. Higher
end reels can come from the factory with Abec 5 bearings usually used
only as spool bearings. Abec 7 bearings are the choice when pursuing a
nearly friction free mechanical action. Although the difference between
a 5 and a 7 rated bearing is only measured in tenths of thousandths of
an inch the fact is that this improvement does indeed decrease
friction. It almost goes without saying that bearings of these quality
ratings perform the best when clean and properly lubed. One step
further in the bearing discussion takes us to bearing materials. The
standard bearing is high carbon steel, this includes the race and
balls. Stainless steel is also available which can resist corrosion and
oxidation (rust). The latest and perhaps greatest is the hybrid
bearing, a marriage of the stainless races with ceramic balls. Ceramics
are in fact a harder material than steel, require less lubrication and
unaffected by corrosion. In the continually evolving manufacture of
fishing reels we can be assured that the pursuit of the friction free
reel is the end goal, or at least a big part of it.
The drag system of any
reel is also important. Presenting resistance to that running fish and
alleviating the initial shock of a sudden strain on the line. The drag
must perform in a fluid action. That is to say that when required the
initial movement takes no more effort than that required during a run.
No sticky spots or hesitations. There are various materials used for
drag washers, fiber, plastics and plastic alloys. The drag system on
most reels can be customized by substituting various combinations of
drag washers, steel washers and spring washers in the pursuit of the
perfect drag.
The level wind of the
casting reel is most often overlooked for regular scrutiny and an
occasional drop of liquid grease. When you
consider that this is the last line wiper and can see more corruption
than the internals of the reel in the form of algae, weed seed heads
(cotton woods), and water, possibly muddy, and rain. It highlights
another aspect of regular maintenance. An
ounce of prevention.... The handle assembly may
also have bearings and should not be ignored. Exposure to every
element
of fishing concentrates here. Mud, water, dust, heat, the whole
shebang. There are many ways to
customize a casting reel and they can range from custom paint jobs to
gear ratio changes when interchangeable parts are available. Bearing
upgrades to drag upgrades.
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