Ultimate Centrepin Bearings
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 9:09 am
Here's a link to a chap talking about his lathe. For anyone into machine tools that's interesting in itself, but just wait until you get to the example he shows of an AIR BEARING.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFrVdoO ... gs=pl%2Cwn
I'd never heard of an air bearing, but just LOOK at the way it spins - virtually nil friction.
My centrepin reels are all plain bearing types - pre-war Aerials, and they work beautifully in practical fishing situations. Obviously, more recent reels from the few top makers are as good - maybe better. A few (I'm thinking Witchers) have the potential to age and improve with the grace like the old Allcocks Aerials, but that's a subject for discussion in a different thread.
I've never liked pins with ball-bearings because they make a gritty sound I don't like, and they are slower to start than plain bearings when casting off the reel (Wallis casting). Just imagine a reel as perfect as a Witcher but equipped with ONE MICRON air bearings. In fact, just imagine a Witcher made completely on such a lathe. There would be nil chance of line going between backplate and spool, although any water between them might act as a brake.
Perhaps it would be as difficult to start, like a BB reel.
Perhaps there is a professional machinist angler reading this who has access to such a machine, and whose employer would look kindly upon his making two such reels - one for him and one for me.
Musing on possibilities can be SO disturbing of a good night's sleep.
W.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFrVdoO ... gs=pl%2Cwn
I'd never heard of an air bearing, but just LOOK at the way it spins - virtually nil friction.
My centrepin reels are all plain bearing types - pre-war Aerials, and they work beautifully in practical fishing situations. Obviously, more recent reels from the few top makers are as good - maybe better. A few (I'm thinking Witchers) have the potential to age and improve with the grace like the old Allcocks Aerials, but that's a subject for discussion in a different thread.
I've never liked pins with ball-bearings because they make a gritty sound I don't like, and they are slower to start than plain bearings when casting off the reel (Wallis casting). Just imagine a reel as perfect as a Witcher but equipped with ONE MICRON air bearings. In fact, just imagine a Witcher made completely on such a lathe. There would be nil chance of line going between backplate and spool, although any water between them might act as a brake.
Perhaps it would be as difficult to start, like a BB reel.
Perhaps there is a professional machinist angler reading this who has access to such a machine, and whose employer would look kindly upon his making two such reels - one for him and one for me.
Musing on possibilities can be SO disturbing of a good night's sleep.
W.