Hello,

I know this is a rod building forum but I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find some bearings for a avet sx 5.1 reel that I recently acquired. Or at least point me in the correct direction.

I’d appreciate it very much.

Thanks,
James

Here is an odyssey for you. If you can measure the bearing, OD, ID, thickness. Then go to McMaster Carr catalog and using the dimensions you can find a bearing and a industry part number, if you don't want to buy from McMaster Carr you can go on @#$%& using the dimensions or the part number.
If the reel is not too old try the manufacturer.

Good luck

John

BocaBearing would be one source

This is a great resource of info on Avet reels
[alantani.com]

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it!

Honestly you can’t beat the factory pricing. Or at least that used to be true.

If you try to use to much drag pressure you will eat pinion bearings. So get a few as shipping might cost more than the bearings.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Do they still offer the overhaul service for 35$ ?

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Good point Russell. Forgot about that totally. Perhaps not as high quality as Boca bearings but most likely good enough. Love my Avet’s....

If you can measure it for the size and have time and are frugal you can order it/them on @#$%& for 1/10 the cost from boca or mcmaster carr. They usually have free shipping. Ceramic bearings are the best for saltwater longevity.

James,
If you live in a metro area, you can remove the bearing from the reel, go to a bearing supply house, have them measure and sell you the correct bearing for your reel.

Here in the Minneapolis area we have Gopher Bearing supply which carries a huge supply of bearings. Of course if you have a caliper so that you can measure the bearing, you can call the supply house first so that you can be sure that they will have it at will call for you when you stop in.

Take care

James,
If you live in a metro area, you can remove the bearing from the reel, go to a bearing supply house, have them measure and sell you the correct bearing for your reel.

Here in the Minneapolis area we have Gopher Bearing supply which carries a huge supply of bearings. Of course if you have a caliper so that you can measure the bearing, you can call the supply house first so that you can be sure that they will have it at will call for you when you stop in.

Take care

p.s.
An on line bearing supply house:
[www.vxb.com]

You might find the bearings you need from this listing on @#$%&:
[]

Are these the ones that you need?
[www.vxb.com]

or,
[www.amazon.com]

Here are some nice and expensive bearings if you wish:
[www.bocabearings.com]

James,

I fished on a long range boat a few years ago with a guy who spent all his time away from the rail tearing apart his Avets and cleaning and adjusting them. He was absolutely 100% into Boca Bearings. His rationale was that if you're after fish of the size you hope to catch, investing a little more into top quality bearings was insignificant. Avet reels are excellent quality (I own two), and the only complaint I ever heard was that the bearings should be better for what you pay for a reel of that quality. He also said he preferred to do his own maintenance because if you ruin a bearing and send it in to Avet for repair, you're going to get the same quality of bearing that failed the first time. I've got my two reels in my shop right now for cleaning and lubing prior to this year's trip (COVID-19 permitting), and I'm probably going to replace the existing bearings with Boca ceramics.

Dave Sytsma

Thanks for the replies. I contacted Avet and they said I could ship the reel to them and they service and replace any bad bearings for 40$. Since I believe the majority of the bearings were bad I went ahead and shipped it to them. I guess we’ll see if this will solve the problem I was having.

Any other question. Since everyone thought it was a good idea to go out and buy up all the rubbing alcohol what are you using to clean up epoxy? I always used denatured alcohol or rubbing, can’t find it anywhere now. Does mineral oil work?

Thanks again!
James

James,

I use denatured alcohol most of the time for epoxy clean up, acetone the rest of the time. They are a little more aggressive than 70% isopropyl, but work better in my opinion. Just be careful where you use acetone so you don't compromise coatings on the blanks. Never use it on painted blanks. I buy my DNA by the gallon from Lowes or Home Depot.

Dave Sytsma