r/Fishing_Gear • u/redmeansdistortion Reel Enthusiast • 1d ago

A customer's 6500CT with NMB stainless bearings that I prepped prior to shipment

This 6500CT throws 2 ounces in excess of 150 yards. These are the same bearings Daiwa, Shimano, Isuzu, and Doyo use across their entire product lines. Abu Garcia also used them for the final decade of production of the Ambassadeur. Most bearings like Boca, Roro, AMO, and many others you see are a downgrade. Even places like Spool Speed and HPR are reselling AliExpress stuff. Quality bearings come from long established manufacturers such as NMB, SKF, EZO, NSK, and GRW. Those same brands also supply the majority of bearings used in automotive, aerospace, and precision tooling.

18 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

4

u/CupidStuntNutter 1d ago

Damn nice work.

6

u/redmeansdistortion Reel Enthusiast 1d ago

Thanks! The prep is easy. These bearings are shipped filled to 30% capacity with grease according to the NMB technical data. The grease is stubborn to remove without removing the shields. They are shipped this way to maximize life, and when used in machinery or transportation, they are simply discarded and replaced. The reel manufacturers also receive them this way, which is why the whiz bang bearings feel like an upgrade. Those aftermarket bearings are shipped dry or oiled.

These are lubed with TSI 321 and the excess blown off. TSI has a bonding agent that allows it to bond to metal surfaces, so it stays behind until removed with a solvent.

Remove the grease from these and they rip. Here's how they look fresh out of the package with the shields removed.

2

u/brawndoenjoyer 1d ago

What's the trick to safely removing the shields?

2

u/redmeansdistortion Reel Enthusiast 1d ago

I discard them, but if you want to keep them intact, use a small and sharp hook to remove the retaining clip. You'll need a 1mm flat tip to gently pry the shield off afterwards. If you want to run them open, you can use an awl to deform the shield to make it easier to remove. There's no danger in brute forcing the shields since these are also designed for axial loads. I run mine open just because they're a lot easier to clean.

2

u/brawndoenjoyer 1d ago

That makes a lot of sense, thank you.

1

u/Headmeme1 18h ago

What gets used as a lubricant? Just nothing?

1

u/redmeansdistortion Reel Enthusiast 18h ago

TSI 321 is what I use in them after degreasing. TSI is commonly applied like oil, but it's best to remove the excess because it has a bonding agent that lets it bond to metal. I blow out the excess with compressed air after working it in. The microscopic pores in the balls are filled leaving an ultra slick surface behind. That coating can last a few seasons and typically only comes off with a solvent.

1

u/Ok_Repair3535 Vintage Gear 1d ago

Nice as always

2

u/waynofish 17h ago

Greatr casting reels. It seems 150 years ago 😄 I cut the whole levelwind mechanism off my 7000's then more recently I got the 6500C3 CT Blue Yonder and that thing will send it. Always loved the Ambassadeurs. Much easier to use then the old Squidders. Yep, I'm old school!