No bearings in a Barlow 16 winch

[Sailingsaves]

After the sad day yesterday (reading of people's health problems in the Lounge and thinking of all the similar troubles with my friends and relatives) I threw myself into some practical work on a mate's boat.

I stripped his Barlow winches - single speed. No bearings. (would not turn by hand). Can only conclude the mating surfaces had old grease on. After a good clean and some nice slippery grease I hope they will be great. No wear to any surfaces, so that was good. Interesting method of dissembley too, compared to Lewmar.

But question is, are winches better (in terms of longevity) if they have no bearings to foul up or better because bearings can be replaced?

 

[KevO]

After the sad day yesterday (reading of people's health problems in the Lounge and thinking of all the similar troubles with my friends and relatives) I threw myself into some practical work on a mate's boat.

I stripped his Barlow winches - single speed. No bearings. (would not turn by hand). Can only conclude the mating surfaces had old grease on. After a good clean and some nice slippery grease I hope they will be great. No wear to any surfaces, so that was good. Interesting method of dissembley too, compared to Lewmar.

But question is, are winches better (in terms of longevity) if they have no bearings to foul up or better because bearings can be replaced?

Is this the Barlow 16 model that has a centre push plunger to disengage the drum cap rather than a retaining screw? I have a 15 the same installed as a reefing winch on the mast and 5 x 16s all with bearings.

The base seems to be made of some kind of polymer (?) and no matter how well cleaned and regreased the winch is never as free turning as the models with bearings and gets progressively stiffer to turn as the season goes on. I often have to free it up several times, and have tried a variety of greases all with the same result.

 

[sailorman]

they will be plain bearings or ptfe

 

[Sailingsaves]

Is this the Barlow 16 model that has a centre push plunger to disengage the drum cap rather than a retaining screw? I have a 15 the same installed as a reefing winch on the mast and 5 x 16s all with bearings.

The base seems to be made of some kind of polymer (?) and no matter how well cleaned and regreased the winch is never as free turning as the models with bearings and gets progressively stiffer to turn as the season goes on. I often have to free it up several times, and have tried a variety of greases all with the same result.

Yes, plunger, just as you say. When the grease is all cleaned off, will look for the plain bearings (what are they) or the ptfe (or any sign of remnants of it).

In its gunked up state, it looked like brass / bronze drum on brass / bronze spindle and nought in between but grease. pdf shows no 'normal' bearings for sure.

http://l-36.com/read_pdf.php?file=winches/BarlowBarientWinchs.pdf&title=Barient Barlow Winches

States the 16 should be service quarterly !

I worked on a massive (like bucket sized) Gibbs winch and the drumm wobbled because it relied upon 2 bushes that had worn the brass spindle on one side. I still have to turn some new bushes for that winch and press them in and turn down the spindle to make it true.

 

[KevO]

Yes, plunger, just as you say. When the grease is all cleaned off, will look for the plain bearings (what are they) or the ptfe (or any sign of remnants of it).

In its gunked up state, it looked like brass / bronze drum on brass / bronze spindle and nought in between but grease. pdf shows no 'normal' bearings for sure.

http://l-36.com/read_pdf.php?file=winches/BarlowBarientWinchs.pdf&title=Barient Barlow Winches

States the 16 should be service quarterly !

I worked on a massive (like bucket sized) Gibbs winch and the drumm wobbled because it relied upon 2 bushes that had worn the brass spindle on one side. I still have to turn some new bushes for that winch and press them in and turn down the spindle to make it true.

On my 15 the spindle is some kind of black polymer... Like a cross between plastic and hard rubber (?). There are no bearings of any kind. You just grease the spindle and lightly lube the pawls and springs with SAE30. It is always hard to turn by hand even when just serviced

 

[ghostlymoron]

'It is always hard to turn by hand even when just serviced'
That can't be right surely? A properly serviced winch should be a joy to use.

 

[KevO]

'It is always hard to turn by hand even when just serviced'
That can't be right surely? A properly serviced winch should be a joy to use.

When I say hard I mean that when you turn it it takes some pressure to do so. It doesn't 'freewheel' if you know what I mean. All my other winches with bearings turn significantly easier. And yes, it's been thoroughly cleaned and lightly greased with the proper grease.