Oil Or Grease

[guisingerevan]

Finally had the guts to open up my reels to clean them after watching bassresource's reel cleaning videos and big thanks to him for making the videos which helped a lot, but what do you guys use on the worm shaft grease or oil? A lot of people who use different brands will debate this one but I use all Lew's reels so I'm just wondering what you Lew's guys use? Thanks in advance 

[doyle8218]

Lews advises oil on the worm gear - grease will gunk it up.

[rippin-lips]

It doesn't matter the reel brand. It's a worm gear regardless. This has been talked about many times. So in the end you are the deciding factor. Grease will last longer but will collect debris over time. Oil is thinner and will need re applied on a more frequent basis. A good compromise is a heavy weight gear lube such as 140wt. It's thinner than grease but thicker then most oils. This was a tip from DVT who cleans reels for a living and is a site sponsor. He wouldn't steer you wrong. Only downfall is you have to buy a quart of it. I just used some synthetic gear lube that I put in my lower unit since I had it around.

[BobP]

The problem with level wind worm gears is they attract dirt as the line is retrieved.  One minor pet peeve of mine is that many of the latest reel models have a level wind sleeve that opens forward, toward the incoming line.  While the old saw that you "oil bearings grease everything else" is generally true, that doesn't apply to the worm gear because grease will attract dirt faster than a fine oil.

[livetofish28]

I use a waterproof bike grease on my reels and it works really well it starts out really thick then thins up once you work it in it's exceptionally smooth

Tight lines

Andrew

[Stingray23]

I use Hot Sauce grease on gears, including the worm shaft. Hot sauce oil for bearings and spool shaft.

[bigbill]

Moly it's TS-70 moly at www.tsmoly.com

Look in there consumer section.

Moly,

Eliminates all wear

Reduces friction

Prevents galling

Fights corrosion

Doesn't attract dirt

Stays where it's applied

Your reel will feel tight at first as the only works into the pores of the metal. When it wears in your reel will be smoother.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It doesn't matter the reel brand. It's a worm gear regardless. This has been talked about many times. So in the end you are the deciding factor. Grease will last longer but will collect debris over time. Oil is thinner and will need re applied on a more frequent basis. A good compromise is a heavy weight gear lube such as 140wt. It's thinner than grease but thicker then most oils. This was a tip from DVT who cleans reels for a living and is a site sponsor. He wouldn't steer you wrong. Only downfall is you have to buy a quart of it. I just used some synthetic gear lube that I put in my lower unit since I had it around.

That's right. The main thing is that the parts are being cleaned. There's no magic in the lube market any more than there's a bait that catches everything, all the time. If I were doing a reel or two of my own I wouldn't go buy a whole quart of anything. Some 30wt lawnmower oil could be substituted, what ever you have around that isn't contra-indicated for some reason will work fine.

[rawjuice]

I use Tri-flow, its teflon oil, it works into the metal and is so smooth, I also use it in my bearings, works amazing!

[.RM.]

That's right. The main thing is that the parts are being cleaned. There's no magic in the lube market any more than there's a bait that catches everything, all the time. If I were doing a reel or two of my own I wouldn't go buy a whole quart of anything. Some 30wt lawnmower oil could be substituted, what ever you have around that isn't contra-indicated for some reason will work fine.

Grease on gear teeth, oil on bearings and pawl, (level wind) worm gear.

Some have adivsed using a combo oil/grease on the worm gear. Go ahead add grease to the worm gear and see how long it takes to have to replace the pawl, especially if the reel is fished heavly.....

 

just an old service techs .02¢

 

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines! 

[Jigfishn10]

That's right. The main thing is that the parts are being cleaned. There's no magic in the lube market any more than there's a bait that catches everything, all the time. If I were doing a reel or two of my own I wouldn't go buy a whole quart of anything. Some 30wt lawnmower oil could be substituted, what ever you have around that isn't contra-indicated for some reason will work fine.

ATF?...  ...I had to throw in JF's idea...LOL

 

For me, clean and oil the wormshaft, line guide assembly, line pawl etc. as needed during the season...

[bigbill]

Moly also comes in an oil for fishing reels. Trust me in my 50 years of using moly to lube everything it's never failed me yet.

Your reel will run smoother, crank easier too.

[0119]

The problem with level wind worm gears is they attract dirt as the line is retrieved.  One minor pet peeve of mine is that many of the latest reel models have a level wind sleeve that opens forward, toward the incoming line.  While the old saw that you "oil bearings grease everything else" is generally true, that doesn't apply to the worm gear because grease will attract dirt faster than a fine oil.

 

Amen to that.  Even worse when fishing salt or nearshore where rods are usually transported upright. Salty boat spray or rain goes right in and makes its was into the sideplate from there.  Just another reason round style Ambassadeurs make more sense.

[Alpha Male]

I use Tri-flow, its teflon oil, it works into the metal and is so smooth, I also use it in my bearings, works amazing!

 

I do the same thing. as it dries it leaves a layer of teflon behind.

 

Not to hijack the thread but what do you guys look for in grease for the gears? I have many different types of grease already and want to know what you look for in reel grease.

[rawjuice]

I do the same thing. as it dries it leaves a layer of teflon behind.

 

EXACTLY!!! And I believe the teflon actually helps deflect dirt and particles from catching!

[rippin-lips]

I do the same thing. as it dries it leaves a layer of teflon behind.

Not to hijack the thread but what do you guys look for in grease for the gears? I have many different types of grease already and want to know what you look for in reel grease.

Just pick a grease really. Like Mike said. There's no magic in lubes. I use waterproof marine grease just like I use gear lube for the worm gear. It's all stuff I already have around.

[BobP]

I really like Super Lube automotive grease for gear teeth and other greased areas.  Super Lube is a translucent white grease with Teflon (PTFE) and comes either in small tubes or in an 8 oz can for less than $10 at Napa.  I like it because it is very slick, stays where you put it and does not glob up into ugly discolored crusts like other greases tend to do.  Crack open a reel lubed with Super Lube after a year of fishing and it will look exactly like it did after you lubed it.  But don't use it on drag disks - use a very light coating of a thick sticky cosmoline based drag grease like Shimano ACE2 Drag Grease, Penn Muscle Grease, etc. Some guys use drag grease on the gear teeth too since they undergo lots of stress during fishing.  I opt for smoother, faster gears with Super Lube but If I replace a main or pinion gear and have a noise or rough retrieve problem, lubing them with drag grease will often quiet them down while they "wear in".    

[Raul]

I use Penn blue grease for gears, Penn reel lube for the levelwind gear ( it´s a thick oil ), Shimano or Daiwa oil for spool supporting bearings. Shimano Drag grease for wet drag systems.

[Oregon Native]

Many years ago a man from Shimano came to our stores and showed us how to do some routine maintance on our reels.  It was awesome.  Of coarse he used Shimano grease and oil and due to this I still use their grease and oil.  He mixed a little oil with his grease to add to the worm gear to make it more watery and then just used a" little" bit.  And for bearings less oil is more.  I know I just touch up the ol worm gear once in awhile with a q-tip and then a little greasy oil and my reels work good.