Reel Grease/oil

[BassAssassins14]

Must I use oil or grease specially made for reels??

[bigbill]

I would suggest yes. The oils and grease are water proof for fishing reels. I use a moly lube for fishing equipment too.

From, www.ts-moly.com it's the only lube I use in reels and guns besides oils.

[5fishlimit]

It's a good idea to do so.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

There is no magic in lubes labeled for reel use but it helps assure proper application. Drags require special drag grease but it works well on gears too. The most important thing is to clean parts thoroughly to remove abrasive contamination. When I service reels I adjust for the reel's application and such but in general I use marine grease on gears, Cals on drags, 80w140 gear oil on the worm gear and non-spool bearings, Boca Lightning Lube or Yellow Rocket Fuel on spool bearings and an anti-corrosion oil on sliding parts.

[Preytorien]

I am a cyclist (along with being a fisherman), and I personally build and service all of my bikes.

 

The mechanical side of cycling has long been aware of the advantages of using wax or paraffin coatings on chains, hubs, gears, etc. to reduce friction, providing smoother drivetrains, and like fishing equipment, usually less lubrication is more. Tolerances are too tight and efficiency is sacrificed with too much oil/grease.

 

Is there some reason this kind of application (wax based) wouldn't also be advantageous for the various parts of reels. Obviously bearings would have to have oil, but maybe pinions, the worm drive, and the gear teeth might like it.

 

Wax also doesn't attract grime and grit as badly as oil and it would be excellent water repellent. I've experimented for years with various oils, poly-substances, etc. for chains, gears, screw and bolt threads and all kinds of parts for my bikes, and I've found DuPont Teflon non-stick dry film to be exceptional for all of the various moving parts on my bike. Maybe it would be good for reels?

 

http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubricants/en_US/products/non_stick_dry_film.html

 

What do you think?

[.ghoti.]

PSN81, why don't you do the experiment, since you already have the lube. Then let us all know how it performed.

 

I'm all for experimentation. I've tried a lot of different lubes over the years, looking for the "best". I've come to the conclusion there is no "best" lube. And there are no magic lubes.

 

This is a great way to start an argument. There are some folks who believe their way is the best and only way, and if you're doing something different, then your wife is ugly and your kids are stupid.

 

In that spirit, here is my way.

 

Drag washers and gears get either Shimano drag grease or Cal's drag grease. I have both and can't tell the difference, in use. I use the same grease for both drags and gears because if there is going to be any cross contamination, this is the place for it to occur.

 

Spool bearing get TSI321 I've tried everything I could find for this application, and TSI321 gives me what I'm looking for in a spool bearing lube. If you're one of those folks who service your reel once per year no matter what, this might be the lube for you. If you use any of the very light, low viscosity bearings lubes; such as rocket fuel, once per year is not often enough. Yopu need something heavier, or need to apply a lot more often. TSI solves that problem; giving me the high speed performance of a very light oil, but will last all summer.

 

Other bearings get 90wt gear oil. I used to grease all frame bearings, but getting them clean while servicing either takes a long, long time, and an ultrasonic cleaning unit. Gear oil gives almost the same smooth feel and cleans up a lot quicker and easier.

 

The levelwind is the most problematic part of a baitcast reel. It's a worm gear, exposed to the elements. If you grease it, grit will stick to the grease, and work it's way into the gear, causing wear. Ditto if you use gear oil. If you use light oil it will wash out fairly quickly; again, causing wear.

 

I've been using TSI321 on all levelwind components for the last three years, with excellent results.

 

Any sliding parts, like the clutch mechanism, get TSI321.

 

So to answer the original question; Cal's and Shimano grease are both made for reels. TSI and 90wt gear oil are not.

 

Lube is lube, and there's nothing that says gease or oil nor specifically labelled for fishing reels won't work just fine. An example that comes to mind is what's known as spindle oil. If you have a machine shop nearby, see if they will give you a small sample. It's only sold in bulk quantities. I used this stuff for years as spool bearing lube. It was a nice compromise. Thin enough to give good casting performance, and longer lasting.

 

Granted, there will be application specific issues. You would not want to pack your spool bearings with grease, and you wouldn't want to use light weight bearing oil on your gears, but a little common sense can guide you.

[Preytorien]

I may try it out. I have a brand new Curado that I'm thinking of giving it a complete flush and re-lube. I've heard that new reels will perform even better that way.

 

I may use the wax application for some of the job, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Another couple of things I've been considering are....

 

1. How easy is the product to apply. I've only got these in spray cans, which would be awful, but I see they sell it in a small bottle, I'll probably go that direction

 

2. The wax products I've used are not quite as easy to degrease with common degreasers like the petroleum based products I've used. I'm sure Purple Power or Simple Green will do the trick, but I'll also test that out before I go using it.

 

I'll let you know what I find.

[MacP]

I'll admit that I've not played around with enough greases and drags to be qualified to argue each brands kinds effectiveness.

 

I've been using Reel Butter Grease and Oil and Lucas Oil Oil for a while now.  No complaints with either product.

 

Also, PSN81, I build my own bikes too.  I posted some of their pictures the other day in this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/127976-anyone-recognize-this-jig-who-makes-it/?hl=bike#entry1410299

 

Also, I do the 24 Hours of Booty at Butler every year.  24 Hour closed loop around campus.  Loads of people!  It's really fun and for a good cause.  Every rider must raise $200 bucks for cancer research.  Check it out and come ride!

[J Francho]

  Quote

 

2. The wax products I've used are not quite as easy to degrease with common degreasers like the petroleum based products I've used. I'm sure Purple Power or Simple Green will do the trick, but I'll also test that out before I go using it.

 

That would be my BIG question, too.  Sounds like interesting stuff!

[Preytorien]

Also, PSN81, I build my own bikes too.  I posted some of their pictures the other day in this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/127976-anyone-recognize-this-jig-who-makes-it/?hl=bike#entry1410299

 

Nice bike! Nishiki makes a great bike, and they've been around for a loooooong time.

 

I built this one a year and a half ago. The frame is a couple years old, but the components are new.

 

[MacP]

That Nishiki was my dads.  Sandblasted and powder coated and it looks great.  I really dig the bull moose bars.

 

I did the same thing with my roadie.  I built up a Ridley Pegasus with SRAM Rival last February. 

 

[Preytorien]

VEEERY nice!

[Aluma-Bass]

Reel cleaning... the redneck way!

 

[Trey Harpel]

id stick to useing oil and grease for reels..

Ive been using Bocas lightning oil and Daiwa Blue grease for a while now for customers and its been solid stuff.

I used to use the Hot sauce and it seemed to stain and seperate..

[Jaheff]

  On 12/12/2013 at 1:14 PM, PSN81 said:

I am a cyclist (along with being a fisherman), and I personally build and service all of my bikes.

 

The mechanical side of cycling has long been aware of the advantages of using wax or paraffin coatings on chains, hubs, gears, etc. to reduce friction, providing smoother drivetrains, and like fishing equipment, usually less lubrication is more. Tolerances are too tight and efficiency is sacrificed with too much oil/grease.

 

Is there some reason this kind of application (wax based) wouldn't also be advantageous for the various parts of reels. Obviously bearings would have to have oil, but maybe pinions, the worm drive, and the gear teeth might like it.

 

Wax also doesn't attract grime and grit as badly as oil and it would be excellent water repellent. I've experimented for years with various oils, poly-substances, etc. for chains, gears, screw and bolt threads and all kinds of parts for my bikes, and I've found DuPont Teflon non-stick dry film to be exceptional for all of the various moving parts on my bike. Maybe it would be good for reels?

 

http://www2.dupont.com/Consumer_Lubricants/en_US/products/non_stick_dry_film.html

 

What do you think?

[J Francho]

That's just drags, and I'm not surprised.  I'm curious about gear performance. Thanks for looking that up, Jaheff.

[rippin-lips]

  On 12/12/2013 at 4:08 AM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

There is no magic in lubes labeled for reel use but it helps assure proper application. Drags require special drag grease but it works well on gears too. The most important thing is to clean parts thoroughly to remove abrasive contamination. When I service reels I adjust for the reel's application and such but in general I use marine grease on gears, Cals on drags, 80w140 gear oil on the worm gear and non-spool bearings, Boca Lightning Lube or Yellow Rocket Fuel on spool bearings and an anti-corrosion oil on sliding parts.

[SMB101]

Cal's grease and Reel X lubricant. No problems.

http://www.smoothdrag.com/index.htmlse

[Preytorien]

  On 12/12/2013 at 2:26 PM, .ghoti. said:

PSN81, why don't you do the experiment, since you already have the lube. Then let us all know how it performed.

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

  On 12/15/2013 at 2:34 AM, rippin-lips said:

Is using an anti corrosion oil better then a light coating of grease on sliding parts? Is this because it's thinner and can get under/between moving metal parts? Is there a brand you can recommend?

[J Francho]

x2 on the Reel X product.  I use it on bearings for saltwater reels and line rollers on spinning reels as well.

[Gaerith]

How important is it to use drag grease on the drag instead of normal grease? I cannot find it locally anywhere.

[Jaheff]

  On 12/18/2013 at 5:54 PM, Gaerith said:

How important is it to use drag grease on the drag instead of normal grease? I cannot find it locally anywhere.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It depends on the system. Some drags like the Shimano Dartanium are designed to be a wet drag. Running them dry they will be sticky and will disintegrate. A ceramic drag like some Quantums use must be dry to work correctly and Carbontex can be run dry or greased. ONLY drag grease should be used on drags or they will not have the power they should. Grease helps dissipate heat in salt water apps where long runs by big fish are common.