Cleaning Reel Bearings

Hi,

Just bought a sonicator from [url]http://www.jamesproducts.co.uk[/url] for cleaning reel bearings. A friend of mine who works for a chemist put me onto the idea. It's the absolute business, will start using it for rigs too - the only way to actually clean swivels (will clean them from the inside) etc. after a session.

Liam

Hi Liamo.
Ultrasonic cleaning is not recommended for any critical or moving parts as it causes pitting (tiny holes) and your bearings wont last long.

Sorry but I deal with this problem every day in work :( :(

I take the bearings out and put them into an old film cannister with lighter fuel or petrol. No need to shake it, but leave it for an hour or so and then just swill the bearings around in the fluid. I did see an article somewhere where the guy gets a pice of rubber tube wich fits over the bearing at one end and onto a plastic syringe at the other. You can then draw up the cleaning fluid through the bearing. It seems better, though I've never been too bothered to try it.

Damin it this is bad news! i thought I had found the ultimate cleaning solution. Hmmm back to the drawing board. Thanks for the tip :-)

Liam

For ceramic bareings most have nylon in them that dissolves in petrol. They should only briefly be washed in petrol.

The ultrasound cleaner might still pay for its keep in recovering used rig parts. Does it remove rust spots from hooks?

By the way coaster where do you see the pitting occuring. I am thinking an orthopaedic consultant that specialises in repairing the hip replacements of woman who had them damaged during pregnancy :shock: . But then again I could be wrong :wink: .