Tsi321 For Bearings

[John G]

Are you guys that are using TSI321 for your bearings using only one tiny drop or are you dipping your bearings and then letting them dry?

[Capt.Bob]

One drop of TSI321, this is a synthetic oil and is safe for use around plastics. The TSI301 is a synthetic  lubricant dispersed in solvent and should be used with caution around plastics. One drop per bearing spin and good to go. I prefer the 301 for ceramic bearings and then I soak, let sit and after an hour spin dry and thats all I use on ceramic bearings.

[John G]

One drop is good to hear because I have been using only one drop from a needle drop oiler and the stuff is just very thin.

Thanks

[aavery2]

I clean the bearings in acetone in my ultrasonic cleaner, then rinse and dry them.  I then place them on a piece of wire and submerse them in TSI321, I remove them and let the excess run off of them on a piece of cardboard for several minutes and then install   While TSI321 will help the races of hybrid bearings it is not beneficial to ceramic ball bearings themselves as it will not bond to them as it does SS balls, cages and races.   Alan Tani is an excellent source for information on this subject. 

[Capt.Bob]

Sorry aavery2  but 321 is an oil, it does not dri, and yes the 301 does dry and yes it does treat the ss races on orange seals, and is an excellent way to protect the races. But 321 will not dri,,,, and soaking any bearing in it will critically slow the bearing down, one drop of 321 is all that is needed and any more is going to slow it down, I prefer lighter oil for bearings as 321 is rather thick. it is strictly a synthetic oil. This why I only use 301 on ceramic bearings, only to treat the race as it will dri and leave no more than a film, and everyone knows oil will eliminate any benefit of using a ceramic bearing in the first place, so never use 321 as a soak. If you want correct uses and info go directly to the manufacturer!!  http://www.tsi301.com/main.htm

[aavery2]

I changed the wording so it would meet your criteria.   Do yourself a favor and see what Alan Tani has to say about this product, I assure you he knows it better that both You and I.

[Capt.Bob]

Dry is spelled with a Y and not an I,  I changed the wording so it would meet your criteria.   I do it as I said the method preferred by Alan Tani, if that don't work for you then I would not do it.  I can tell you after using this product for several years now , that if you put one drop of 321 on your ceramic bearings or any other for that matter, be ready to oil often.

Try this if you want to use Mr. Tani for your reference instead of the manufacturer,,,, http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=1037.0 ,,, again, the 321 will not dri and soaking anything in it will severely slow the bearing, quite the opposite with 301, it will dri and leave only a protected film!! Sorry bout the spelling, usually only engineers have trouble understanding it, and I read much clearer than I spell!!!   ,,,,,,,,,do the red lines mean to check spelling,,,,,, trust me you will have even better results using each as suggested!! 

[aavery2]

Seems like every conversation you have deteriorates into an argument.  Well we have been through that and I have made it clear how I feel.

 

Good Luck

[Capt.Bob]

Just trying to help you, her is what Alan Tani says as you suggest, just read and there is no need to get upset, we all make mistakes and learn something new every day, but we are trying to give proper information to folks who don't service reels for a living, and want the correct information when they ask for help, please read any of the links and it will explain the difference and how each is best used. The manufacture and Alan both can't be wrong, and I have been using this stuff for about 6 years now,,, great stuff when used properly. I am sorry but I hate to mislead anyone,,,,not good for business!! http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=1037.0

[aavery2]

And this post was made three years later   http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=9060.0 . There is a lot of information on the subject at his site if you spend more than a few minutes.

 

The primary reason for dipping the bearings is corrosion prevention and the bonding properties of the 321, 1 drop of oil in the bearing is not going to offer much corrosion protection, if you let it sit, most of what does not bond run off or spins out.  Anyway, we do it differently, let's leave it at that.

[Capt.Bob]

Yes and why he lubes with 321 being QUITE A BIT THICKER and cleans and treats with 301 because of the solvent and its ability to quickly evaporate,,,,,,, there are several threads he has made on SALTWATER REELS with their much larger bearing using ONLY 1 TO 3 DROPS of 321,,,, but soaks in 301!

[aavery2]

Been a while since I was on his site, the most current information that I can find on the subject (2014) is when a member here (OE) asked how Alan preferred to apply 321.  His response was to lightly drip it into the bearing while slowly spinning it.  Did not mention how much.

 

Alan Tani is the guy that made these products popular, I would take his advice on this subject over anyone else, if this is the way he does it now, it will be the way I do it also.

 

Here is  an older link where he advocates dipping the bearing, seems he is still revising his methods.

 

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=3573.15

[Capt.Bob]

Do you understand now you are referring to Saltwater reels used for trolling and not bass casting gear. They are protecting from saltwater. They also pack gear boxes with Yamaha outboard grease, these are thing that should never be recommended to folks servicing bass reels for casting light lures in freshwater, or treating spool bearings one fourth the size of saltwater reels, that must spin at high rpm's with little momentum to get them going. You can ask Mike at DVT .RM, Francho anyone who does this for a living, you soak a bass reel bearing in oil (STI-321)  and all you do is blow it out, or as you state let it dri, and you will not get near as good a performance out of your reel as you will if use 1 drop. They are not casting bass reels with oil soaked bearings, they are using it in reels for Tuna and Marlin! Even at that on spool bearings they are using 1 to 3 drops in a bearing after treating and cleaning with 301. Please try and understand the difference. I having been using this for over 4 years started out treating and cleaning my 1911 and bench rest rifle with it, then started flushing reel bearings with it, and before Alan ever mentioned it on his sight which I have been a member of for over 5 years, but have better lubes for spool bearings in most US climates, this on the heavy side and most don't use it on freshwater bass reel bearings, way smaller and more delicate than the bearings used in saltwater gear.

 

I highly recamend anyone reading this post to checkout all the links and use your own discretion on how to use this product if you wish to achieve the desired results. I read much better than I spell, and I know the difference between Saltwater gear and what it takes to properly lube them and Bass reels. I personally recamend lighter oils to most of my customers as there reels are used in cold climates 3 or 4 months out of the season, and even 321 with one drop in a bearing is thicker than I prefer in these cold northern climates, but definatly would never soak a bearing in this heavier oil and use it in Bass reels, 1 drop is plenty at most. Please read all links and understand the difference on how and what they are referring to!!! 301 is a soak or lubricating cleaner, 321 should be used sparingly for best results!! 

[John G]

In my limited experience with oiling bearings, TSI 321 and Bantam Oil, I thought that TSI 321 was super thin.......at least compared to Bantam Oil. I think on my next order with Hedgehog, I will get some Alchemy Oil to try out.

[aavery2]

Bob, I have tried twice now to bow out of this conversation, so I am just going to say, I stand by my statements based on using the product for several years, I have tried using it in the same method that you would other oils and it just does not work for me when applied  that way ( required frequent re oiling) .   If it works for you I would not change.   I can cast all of my personal reels between 35 and 45 yards easily and they are smooth and work wonderful using the method I suggested, I might have to re apply oil 1-2 times throughout the entire fishing season depending on how heavily I use the reel and the environment that it is used in. 

 

I choose to follow Alan Tani's methods as he is the expert on this product and while his site is heavy on Saltwater reels, many of the people that are asking questions about the TSI-321 are freshwater fishermen.    There are many other sites with reputable users of the product that dip the bearings as well. 

[aavery2]

In my limited experience with oiling bearings, TSI 321 and Bantam Oil, I thought that TSI 321 was super thin.......at least compared to Bantam Oil. I think on my next order with Hedgehog, I will get some Alchemy Oil to try out.

TSI 301 is extremely thin and only contains 10% of the lubricant that TSI 321 contains. It is also harmful to some plastics and will remove the anodizing from custom parts if it comes into contact with them. It is also expensive to have shipped because it is considered HAZMAT.   TSI 321 is thicker but is a much better lubricant, it bonds well to metals and does not need frequent re application.  It is easy to ship. 

[aavery2]

Do you understand now you are referring to Saltwater reels used for trolling and not bass casting gear. They are protecting from saltwater. They also pack gear boxes with Yamaha outboard grease, these are thing that should never be recommended to folks servicing bass reels for casting light lures in freshwater, or treating spool bearings one fourth the size of saltwater reels, that must spin at high rpm's with little momentum to get them going. You can ask Mike at DVT .RM, Francho anyone who does this for a living, you soak a bass reel bearing in oil (STI-321)  and all you do is blow it out, or as you state let it dri, and you will not get near as good a performance out of your reel as you will if use 1 drop. They are not casting bass reels with oil soaked bearings, they are using it in reels for Tuna and Marlin! Even at that on spool bearings they are using 1 to 3 drops in a bearing after treating and cleaning with 301. Please try and understand the difference. I having been using this for over 4 years started out treating and cleaning my 1911 and bench rest rifle with it, then started flushing reel bearings with it, and before Alan ever mentioned it on his sight which I have been a member of for over 5 years, but have better lubes for spool bearings in most US climates, this on the heavy side and most don't use it on freshwater bass reel bearings, way smaller and more delicate than the bearings used in saltwater gear.

 

I highly recamend anyone reading this post to checkout all the links and use your own discretion on how to use this product if you wish to achieve the desired results. I read much better than I spell, and I know the difference between Saltwater gear and what it takes to properly lube them and Bass reels. I personally recamend lighter oils to most of my customers as there reels are used in cold climates 3 or 4 months out of the season, and even 321 with one drop in a bearing is thicker than I prefer in these cold northern climates, but definatly would never soak a bearing in this heavier oil and use it in Bass reels, 1 drop is plenty at most. Please read all links and understand the difference on how and what they are referring to!!! 301 is a soak or lubricating cleaner, 321 should be used sparingly for best results!! 

dry

[Capt.Bob]

Read the articles and concentrate on what they are servicing, not what they are spelling. Like I said It is not common practice from any reel tech, to soak a bearing in oil for any Bass Reel and run it that way, even after blowing it out,,, period,   BUT WE DO THIS FOR A LIVING!! WE flush bearings and 90% of the industry uses synthetic oils. and only suggest to all our customers to use ANY OIL  sparingly,,, I believe you will find that is what all reel techs will tell you, clean and degrees with a quality solvent, and after dri-ing use 1 drop of quality bearing oil only for best performance, Salt water gear is quite different. I use 301, and then dry, and spin in ONE DROP of quality oil 321 would be the heaviest I would ever recamend. That is not just me at my business, but I believe what most reputable reel services will advise for Bass size casting reels for STN STL spindle bearings PERIOD, if not I have been doing a disservice for over 20 years to my customers.  Feel free to correct any spelling I am thru with trying to explain reel 101 to you!!

 

JohnG if you like high speed bearing performance, and don't mind re oiling a rime or two a year,,,, and think 321 is thin try Yellow Rocket Fuel, or lighter yet Red Rocket Fuel, or give up a little performance and 1 drop of 321 will only give up a little performance and require less re oiling!! 

[OnthePotomac]

I run TSI dipped bearings in two of my bass baitcasters and have been doing so for two years.  After dipping the solvent evaporates in literally seconds, so there has never been any damage to the reels.

[aavery2]

Read the articles and concentrate on what they are servicing, not what they are spelling. Like I said It is not common practice from any reel tech, to soak a bearing in oil for any Bass Reel and run it that way, even after blowing it out,,, period,   BUT WE DO THIS FOR A LIVING!! WE flush bearings and 90% of the industry uses synthetic oils. and only suggest to all our customers to use ANY OIL  sparingly,,, I believe you will find that is what all reel techs will tell you, clean and degrees with a quality solvent, and after dri-ing use 1 drop of quality bearing oil only for best performance, Salt water gear is quite different. I use 301, and then dry, and spin in ONE DROP of quality oil 321 would be the heaviest I would ever recamend. That is not just me at my business, but I believe what most reputable reel services will advise for Bass size casting reels for STN STL spindle bearings PERIOD, if not I have been doing a disservice for over 20 years to my customers.  Feel free to correct any spelling I am thru with trying to explain reel 101 to you!!

 

JohnG if you like high speed bearing performance, and don't mind re oiling a rime or two a year,,,, and think 321 is thin try Yellow Rocket Fuel, or lighter yet Red Rocket Fuel, or give up a little performance and 1 drop of 321 will only give up a little performance and require less re oiling!! 

soaking and dipping are two different things, but it's your story tell it how you like.

[Capt.Bob]

I run TSI dipped bearings in two of my bass baitcasters and have been doing so for two years.  After dipping the solvent evaporates in literally seconds, so there has never been any damage to the reels.

Yes that is correct as long as you are using the TSI-301 which is only available in metal cans and can be harmfull to some plastics as it is the solvent it is in that causes the evaporation and allows the lubricant to more quickly soak into the pour of the metal,,, I agree 100%. But TSI-321 which the OP refers, and comes in plastic bottles, does not contain solvents which does not dri quickly, but is totally safe with plastics and does not dri out, and is asynthetic lubricant, or "oil". I have used both every since AG&C made it available to the public,,,,both are good stuff, for different reasons.