Centre-pin question

[Alan Tyler]

Bushings are made of brass or bronze, yellow/brown gold in colour, yes?
Pins are made of grey steel, agreed?
Steel is harder than either brass or bronze, is it not?
So can someone please explain why, when I clean the oil from a pin that's had a busy day or is being run-in, the oil I remove is coloured grey?

Headhurtingly,
Baffled of Barnet.

 

[lutra]

Bushings are made of brass or bronze, yellow/brown gold in colour, yes?
Pins are made of grey steel, agreed?
Steel is harder than either brass or bronze, is it not?
So can someone please explain why, when I clean the oil from a pin that's had a busy day or is being run-in, the oil I remove is coloured grey?

Headhurtingly,
Baffled of Barnet.

Bass may not be as strong as steel but it has good anti wear properties.

Try googling galling.

 

[paul80]

The thin coat of oil between the pin and bush is supposed to stop them rubbing together, so correctly cleaned and lubricated you will not get any metal to metal contact so no wear. What you are probably seeing is oil contaminated with dirt from your days fishing and not metal from the bush or pin.

 

[mikench]

How are you getting on with your "bargain" reel Alan?

 

[103841]

Bushings are made of brass or bronze, yellow/brown gold in colour, yes?.

Yes, and no.

The majority of bushing and bearings that appear brass or bronze in colour are made from phosphor bronze, an alloy containing tin and phosphor to give an extra hardness to prevent wear and corrosion. It will be the element of tin that gives you that grey residue.