The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Interesting thread guys

I have an idea that it wan't until the Second World War that bearing races became the norm..as is so often the case the race to destruction brings out the ingenuity in man....

I believe it was the Germans who first perfected the manufacture of ball and roller races and indeed they are still market leaders today....who in engineering circles hasn't heard of AKG, FAG and GKN ??
In a strange twist of fate GKN are now specialists in bushes and are based in Redditch in the uk

QuinetteCane wrote:Hmm, All Steam Trains used Bushings & they lasted a while too.

yes but they very rarley where operating outside there normal operating conditions and not exposed to external pressure ,designed to work in a particular way under known pressure ,fixed in rotational pressure and no external lateral movement ie no abuse

wear and tear is expected and tested for and both bushings and bearing will eventually wear out under normal operating conditions but if external to these condition extra localised pressure/stress or overuse & abuse then they'll wear out quicker or fail

material used makes a big difference in both bearings and bushings .you can have two abec 5 bearings but the quality can be vast ,simerly bushes come in verious metals so theres lots of veriation between different centrepins that run on bushings

even WR Products ,flirted with the idea of fitting bearings too speedia's .which might off been its saving grace but bankruptcy beckoned

I remember years ago reading of Britain in WWII using Civilian Pilots(BOAC?) in Fast Stripped out Mosquito Bombers Running the Gauntlet to collect ball bearings from Neutral Sweden(SKF). So I think their technology was up there at the time as well.

Gentlemen , to be honest , regarding spindle wear etc , they are reasonably old reels in the first place so why does every one keep worrying about their wear , to get one in mint condition would be nice , but I can see paranoia setting in . There is no way we can expect perfection when buying and using old traditional tackle , expect if you pay a lot for an old cane rod it could break on your first fish , it is what it is , and enjoy it for that . I wait in eager anticipation for all your kind reply's . No insults intended Gentlemen , I just think for instance if you say land your fish of a life time on your vintage cane rod and reel and get away with it be happy , but do not despair ,if you do not . Matt this is not aimed at you regarding your rod as I know you realise that my friend . Very kindest regards . . Woolly Bear

When the Mallard took the Speed Record for Steam Power it had sustained so much wear it had to be withdrawn, and repairs took several
weeks to complete. Plain Bushings required a man with an oil can to top up the pots frequently. So for the extreme modern speeds of rail travel defo ball/roller bearings.
I rather prefer the noiseless horizontal position of the True Centrepin for long trotting, The vertical position of the slightly rumbling ball bearing Reel for casting Pike Deadbaits.