The Reel Monkey Has Spoken -- Shimano Aldebaran

[rockchalk06]

One more thing Caddy,

Every new model Shimano I have used or owned, the side plates don't come off near as easy as the older E/D models that had the side plates attached to the frame. My MGL's you have to kinda hold it just right, cross your eyes/toes/fingers and say sweet things and it will slide off.

My guess, tolerances are tighter

[rockchalk06]

Average Joe.  This Joe aint average, not even close. 

You're on the ball today brother.

[LgMouthGambler]

One more thing Caddy,

Every new model Shimano I have used or owned, the side plates don't come off near as easy as the older E/D models that had the side plates attached to the frame. My MGL's you have to kinda hold it just right, cross your eyes/toes/fingers and say sweet things and it will slide off.

My guess, tolerances are tighter

Or they just suck. 

[rockchalk06]

Or they just suck. 

Do we really need to go there Mr. T3?

[LgMouthGambler]

Do we really need to go there Mr. T3?

FML.

<")))<{

[FloridaFishinFool]

My guess is there is a shat ton of grease packed into the main drive and all the bearings are packed full of grease and oil. Strip it down and flush the bearings out real good and grease the main gears correctly. Shimano is notorious for packing their reels to the max with grease.

Hmmmm... an interesting comment, and I would add that more than likely shimano does not pack any grease into any of the bearings they use. I would bet the bearings come from the bearing factory with grease already in them. Shimano may order them with their own specific requirements for lubrication, but since the bearings are usually sealed, and shimano undoubtedly orders them by the tens of thousands at a time, it is doubtful shimano spends money for any labor or lubricant expenditure to alter any of the bearings they use in their reels.

I would bet when shimano manufacturing builds new reels, the bearings are simply taken right out of the box from the bearing manufacturer and directly installed into the reels as is. It would take a lot of time and labor and specialized equipment and processing to force grease into sealed bearings, so more than likely shimano does not do this, but I could be wrong.

But, outside of the bearing and inside of the reel is another story. Using too much grease can be costly for a reel manufacturer, so to keep costs down it has been my experience that many reel manufacturers including shimano have been skimpy on the amount of grease and lubricants they put into a brand new reel. More like just enough to get the job done and out the door kind of thing. But I am sure there can always be the exception where a reel might get a grease blob that is overlooked on the production line.

Another issue is the type of grease manufacturers use. Sometimes to save money they buy inferior lubricants that work for a while right out of the box, but really should be changed out to a higher quality lubricant as soon as possible.

Regardless, I overhaul all of my reels including new ones just to make sure they are properly lubricated, and I always replace the spool and often pinion bearings with new ceramic hybrids with no grease before using them. This makes my reels screamers when casting. Those ceramic hybrid bearings can be really noisy when casting.

But, if one is to go with stock bearings, flush them out as suggested and only use a very light weight oil and very little at that- less than a drop- just enough to lightly coat the metal bearing parts and no spare liquid oil to slosh around inside the bearing or reel. Too much oil will slow the bearing down and reduce casting ability of the reel same as grease will. I usually just use mineral spirits to soak them in to dissolve any grease inside. Works well 99% of the time.

Correct lubrication in the correct amounts in the correct places inside a reel makes a world of difference- even on that sticky side dial.

[rockchalk06]

Hmmmm... an interesting comment, and I would add that more than likely shimano does not pack any grease into any of the bearings they use. I would bet the bearings come from the bearing factory with grease already in them. Shimano may order them with their own specific requirements for lubrication, but since the bearings are usually sealed, and shimano undoubtedly orders them by the tens of thousands at a time, it is doubtful shimano spends money for any labor or lubricant expenditure to alter any of the bearings they use in their reels.

I would bet when shimano manufacturing builds new reels, the bearings are simply taken right out of the box from the bearing manufacturer and directly installed into the reels as is. It would take a lot of time and labor and specialized equipment and processing to force grease into sealed bearings, so more than likely shimano does not do this, but I could be wrong.

But, outside of the bearing and inside of the reel is another story. Using too much grease can be costly for a reel manufacturer, so to keep costs down it has been my experience that many reel manufacturers including shimano have been skimpy on the amount of grease and lubricants they put into a brand new reel. More like just enough to get the job done and out the door kind of thing. But I am sure there can always be the exception where a reel might get a grease blob that is overlooked on the production line.

Another issue is the type of grease manufacturers use. Sometimes to save money they buy inferior lubricants that work for a while right out of the box, but really should be changed out to a higher quality lubricant as soon as possible.

Regardless, I overhaul all of my reels including new ones just to make sure they are properly lubricated, and I always replace the spool and often pinion bearings with new ceramic hybrids with no grease before using them. This makes my reels screamers when casting. Those ceramic hybrid bearings can be really noisy when casting.

But, if one is to go with stock bearings, flush them out as suggested and only use a very light weight oil and very little at that- less than a drop- just enough to lightly coat the metal bearing parts and no spare liquid oil to slosh around inside the bearing or reel. Too much oil will slow the bearing down and reduce casting ability of the reel same as grease will. I usually just use mineral spirits to soak them in to dissolve any grease inside. Works well 99% of the time.

Correct lubrication in the correct amounts in the correct places inside a reel makes a world of difference- even on that sticky side dial.

Thank you Mr technical.

Whether Shimano or the bearing manufacture does this, every Shimano I have opened up is this way. Who packs the bearings, or builds the reel is a moot point. The point I was trying to make was they come to the customer this way. The handles don't free spin as well, spools don't free spin as well, and the reels performance is hindered.

I've been told several times from Shimano Reps/Techs, this is done for the reason I put in my post.

[LgMouthGambler]

Shimano has always packed their reels with too much grease, why? Well, as American people, most dont know chit about opening a reel and maintaining them. They fish the hell outa them and never take care for them. So, how do they guarantee that they may not have any issues? Over grease and lube the reels. I will tell you that you can fish an unopened reel for about 10 years with decent care and never open the dang thing up. I have proof, because I have serviced many like this. 

[rockchalk06]

Shimano has always packed their reels with too much grease, why? Well, as American people, most dont know chit about opening a reel and maintaining them. They fish the hell outa them and never take care for them. So, how do they guarantee that they may not have any issues? Over grease and lube the reels. I will tell you that you can fish an unopened reel for about 10 years with decent care and never open the dang thing up. I have proof, because I have serviced many like this. 

I have even more proof. Before I met you brother, I was one of those PEOPLE.

[LgMouthGambler]

I have even more proof. Before I met you brother, I was one of those PEOPLE.

You just needed some guidance. 

[SFL BassHunter]

I might be considering a CT for my HB Frogs. Maybe early next year.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Thank you Mr technical.

Yeah I know. My only value is the technical. I come from a family of engineers. I can't help it. Technical comes naturally.

From my own experience I have never had a reel out of the box with too much grease in it. It has always been a skimpy use of grease, not excessive.

And my 3 recent purchases of brand new curados shows me the same thing. They all worked just fine right out of the box, and once inside there was not excessive amounts of grease any where to be found. Quite the opposite actually.

But I would add that the grease some manufacturers use is sticky to me. The viscosity is too heavy and impedes reel operation to some degree so I remove it all and replace it with a higher quality grease with much better properties.

Ultralube gave me a ton of their products a couple of years ago and I must say it is a very good grease to use on reels. Beats the heck out of one of the most common greases used which is superlube. This video clearly shows the difference:

[caddyjoe77]

But I would add that the grease some manufacturers use is sticky to me. The viscosity is too heavy and impedes reel operation to some degree so I remove it all and replace it with a higher quality grease with much better properties.

Without getting technical, it feels like the reel handle is "sticky".  The spool spins ok by itself, but as I told Rock on the phone...it feels like there are brakes on when you spin the handle.  What I mean is, the handle spins but then just kind of stops and doesnt slow down to a stop as slow as what you would think.  Its not like if you slammed the brakes on but almost like if you pushed your brakes hard on your car at 15 mph.  Best analogy I can come up with. 

I guess I just expected it to be the cats ass right out of the box considering the premium they are charging for them.  Im going to end up sending it out to get it worked over. 

[cortman]

Without getting technical, it feels like the reel handle is "sticky".  The spool spins ok by itself, but as I told Rock on the phone...it feels like there are brakes on when you spin the handle.  What I mean is, the handle spins but then just kind of stops and doesnt slow down to a stop as slow as what you would think.  Its not like if you slammed the brakes on but almost like if you pushed your brakes hard on your car at 15 mph.  Best analogy I can come up with. 

I guess I just expected it to be the cats ass right out of the box considering the premium they are charging for them.  Im going to end up sending it out to get it worked over.

That sounds like the cast control knob is screwed down too tight. Of course you've tried it loose too.
That sounds like a pain.

[caddyjoe77]

That sounds like the cast control knob is screwed down too tight. Of course you've tried it loose too.
That sounds like a pain.

it is a pain.  The one reel I was looking forward to using for jerkbaits and small finesse when the water is below 50 has to be sent out.  Definitely has not been a great year catching wise/fishing luck.  But, bring on spring and power plant lakes I suppose for the maiden voyage. 

[caddyjoe77]

So, first I want to retract all the bad things I said about this reel upon first inspection.  This thing is amazing!! I was throwing scatter raps and shad raps like they were 3/8 oz.  They were zinging out there, both into the wind and especially with the wind.  Both the scatter raps and shad raps are 5/16 oz and I threw a bandit squarebill that was tiny too...I think it was the 100 series which is 1/4 oz.  Zero issues with this reel. 

Going to get another one for my heavier squarebill setup on my LSCR.  This rod will do duty with small spinnerbaits, 2.5 SK squarebills, and swimbaits. Cannot wait!

[rockchalk06]

So, first I want to retract all the bad things I said about this reel upon first inspection.  This thing is amazing!! I was throwing scatter raps and shad raps like they were 3/8 oz.  They were zinging out there, both into the wind and especially with the wind.  Both the scatter raps and shad raps are 5/16 oz and I threw a bandit squarebill that was tiny too...I think it was the 100 series which is 1/4 oz.  Zero issues with this reel. 

Going to get another one for my heavier squarebill setup on my LSCR.  This rod will do duty with small spinnerbaits, 2.5 SK squarebills, and swimbaits. Cannot wait!

Good deal. But the real question is, what color of shirt do we get the manikin to replace Junior? Lo

[caddyjoe77]

Good deal. But the real question is, what color of shirt do we get the manikin to replace Junior? Lo

Candy cane striped!!