Reel Bearing Cleaning

Hobbes · January 14, 2018, 03:03:25 PM

I've heard of a lot of different products people use to clean bearings. I have been using Simple Green, follow by Alcohol. Seems to take me a while to clean a bearing. I spoke to a reel repair person the other day; and asked what he uses. He told me he uses WD40 Industrial Cleaner And De greaser followed by alcohol. Anyone used the WD40 cleaner? And if so; how does it work.

Oldfart9999 · January 14, 2018, 06:20:39 PM

I use camp fuel in a jewelry cleaner for 10 or 15 minutes then "vortex" the bearing, use a nut and machine screw in a Dremel, turn it on for 10 to 20 seconds then turn it off. It's amazing the crap you get out of a bearing, even new ones. Do this with plenty of ventilation!!!
Rodney

Mike Cork · January 15, 2018, 11:59:53 AM

I just use Rosonol lighter fluid, it's highly flammable and needs ventilation as well but it's a one shot good deal. I also use a dremel to spin the bearing in the fluid. As Oldfart said it's amazing what will come out of them.

Camp fuel would be cheaper if you're doing a bunch.

Down4ttown · January 15, 2018, 10:13:54 PM

I use lighter fluid like Mike and give them the old Vortex too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oldfart9999 · January 16, 2018, 11:34:40 AM

A confession, I learned about vortexing bearings from Kevin rush(PRO REEL). Since I've always been good with my hands and like working with them and not being able to afford 20-25 reels out for service I go through mine in the winter. I'll admit that except for a drop or 2 of oil the only one I need to go through this winter is one I picked up off ebay but it's been fun learning how to tune, clean, lube and setup my reels.
Rodney

SteveTX · January 20, 2018, 03:55:57 PM

I was wondering if one of the inexpensive jewelry cleaners from like harbor freight was a worthy investment for someone doing their own.

Great tips thanks

Oldfart9999 · January 21, 2018, 05:30:31 PM

Quote from: SteveTX on January 20, 2018, 03:55:57 PM
I was wondering if one of the inexpensive jewelry cleaners from like harbor freight was a worthy investment for someone doing their own.

Great tips thanks

It makes the job easier and they do a much better job than we can. Vortexing after finishes the job.
Google jewelry cleaners and check around, you might be able to find a less expensive one that'll do the job for you.
Rodney

SteveTX · January 21, 2018, 08:39:06 PM

Thanks I might start keeping a lookout for one on sale.

Pro Reel · January 22, 2018, 07:15:13 AM

the small UL tank from harbor freight is fine. You can get some good deals on ebay also. Use a small glass jar, shot glass or baby food jar. Put water in the tank, solvent in the jar, bearings in the jar, set jar in water, run for 30 seconds to a couple minutes. Solvent will turn black or very cloudy or redish brown. If it's the redish brown, at least one bearing in that jar is rusted inside. Its shot. Drain and repeat till solvent stays clear. Blow solvent out with air from blow gun or canned air. Put bearing on end of sharp pencil and spin it. If it makes noise it's probably ruined. To get amazingly clean follow this procedure with the Vortexing described. Hold the spinning bearing under the solvent so the inside ring spins while you hold the outside ring. I use a tapered wood dowel that has a rod for a dremmel shaft in the end. If you know someone that has a good lathe they could build you one out of 1/2 dowel. Make the taper 3 to 4 inch's long. Round the pointed end off a bit and sand the thing super smooth. Get the hole in the other end exactly centered and then turn a cheap 1/8 drill bit backwards and glue it in for the shaft. Or use oldfarts dremmel shaft and nut method. The dowel fits every size bearing up to 10mm

Oldfart9999 · January 22, 2018, 07:58:06 AM

Quote from: Pro Reel on January 22, 2018, 07:15:13 AM
the small UL tank from harbor freight is fine. You can get some good deals on ebay also. Use a small glass jar, shot glass or baby food jar. Put water in the tank, solvent in the jar, bearings in the jar, set jar in water, run for 30 seconds to a couple minutes. Solvent will turn black or very cloudy or redish brown. If it's the redish brown, at least one bearing in that jar is rusted inside. Its shot. Drain and repeat till solvent stays clear. Blow solvent out with air from blow gun or canned air. Put bearing on end of sharp pencil and spin it. If it makes noise it's probably ruined. To get amazingly clean follow this procedure with the Vortexing described. Hold the spinning bearing under the solvent so the inside ring spins while you hold the outside ring. I use a tapered wood dowel that has a rod for a dremmel shaft in the end. If you know someone that has a good lathe they could build you one out of 1/2 dowel. Make the taper 3 to 4 inch's long. Round the pointed end off a bit and sand the thing super smooth. Get the hole in the other end exactly centered and then turn a cheap 1/8 drill bit backwards and glue it in for the shaft. Or use oldfarts dremmel shaft and nut method. The dowel fits every size bearing up to 10mm

I just use a stainless machine screw, they have a head that angles to the shaft, a nut that doesn't hit the outer race finishes it off, I took a bearing with me to the hardware store. I give full credit for vortexing to Kevin, I read an article he did on a reel cleaning blog.
Rodney