It's All Ball Bearings These Days

[Plump]

I've got a (yes, I know, cheapy) Ryobi table saw that I'd like to replace the ball bearing on to help with run out. Knowing less than zero about ball bearings and how to choose them, any help here? I do know that it's a 6200 and it's sealed to keep the sawdust out, but after that....nothing. The replacement ones I find online are typically OEM and range WILDLY on price. I think I'd like to upgrade the ball bearing but don't understand what all the terminology is.

Double Shielded
Contact Seals
Non-Contact Seals

SKF
NTN
TIMKEN
TRITAN

TU
TZ
CM

What the heck am I looking for?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Stick with a know brand, like Timken. Probably no longer made in the US, but still they have a reputation to uphold.

There are probably some extra letters added to the part number to indicate "sealed".

 

[The Cobbler]

all you need is a 6200 2rs which means 2 rubber seals , and you don;t need to pay anywhere near $50 for a good quality bearing.
I question if the bearings are causing run out, unless very badly worn, which would be noticeable on a simple inspection

 

[yhprum]

I’ve actually had good luck getting bearings on eBay. Stay away from the cheapies if you can, look for ones manufactured in Germany Japan, USA, ect.

 

[Steve_P]

Bearings are essentially standardized as said. If you buy a major brand, like SKF, on Ebay or Amazon, the chances are that it's going to be counterfeit, which is a huge issue in bearings today. Counterfeit meaning it'll be a generic Chinese bearing marked with that brand. Which might be fine for your application, but you're paying extra.

If you can source them locally, like from someone like Motion industries, you'll have a 99.9...% chance of getting what it says on the box. Otherwise, McMaster is a good source for quality bearings. The last ones I purchased from them were made in Korea, and I don't remember the brand, but they've lasted years.

 

[justintendo]

fake bearings are rampant, along with spark plugs..hard to avoid unless buying from a known distributor

 

[LopezBart]

I question if the bearings are causing run out, unless very badly worn, which would be noticeable on a simple inspection

Yes. The usual early way to detect bearing wear is increasing noise.

 

[Plump]

Incredible helpful! Thanks so much.

I'll check some other issues with the saw before dropping money on a bearing. Grainger seems like a decent bet for me to hopefully get something that's not counterfeit. Again, thanks SO much for clearing some of this up.

 

[timgunn1962]

As above, you need a 6200 2RS and I'd certainly go for a premium brand from a reputable supplier (SKF, ***, etc).

I am in the UK and I'm seeing a price of 4.29 GBP plus tax and shipping (equivalent to maybe 12 bucks total to my door) for an SKF 6200 2 RSH from a supplier I know and trust.

 

[danielbuck]

woah damn, $52? even from McMa$ster a sealed 6200 is like $8.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Jim greengo]

Don't forget new races.

 

[garfunkle24]

The listing you posted for an OEM bearing indicates you need a 6200 2RS. Easy enough. But you also need the correct internal clearance (the CM part of the listing). This is a specific clearance for electric motors.

Very few people are even aware that bearings come with different internal clearances.

Internal clearance refers to the free play (or preload) between the rollers and races. This would matter, for example, when you have a bearing installed in an aluminium housing to accommodate a steel shaft. Due to the difference in thermal expansion you may need a particular clearance etc. Running temps, rotational speed etc are some other factors.

As I said, CM is for electric motors. Typically clearance is designated C1 (Least clearance, well actually preload), C2, CN ("normal" clearance), C3, C4, C5 (most clearance).

 

[rooster59]

Here is Grainger

https://www.grainger.com/product/TR...VUHJ_AB2jvBRzEAQYBCABEgJqKfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[dnschmidt]

Incredible helpful! Thanks so much.

I'll check some other issues with the saw before dropping money on a bearing. Grainger seems like a decent bet for me to hopefully get something that's not counterfeit. Again, thanks SO much for clearing some of this up.

Grainger should be good but for bearings I go to McMaster-Carr.

 

[LopezBart]

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/6200-2NSE9-N...S-bearings/dp/B017Z9KRP6?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[NUTTSGT]

I know when I needed a bearing, I found what I needed at my local Fastenal.

Not sure if you have one close but an option.

 

[paulsomlo]

I'd be looking at the saw blade and arbor, rather than the bearings.

 

[SwissMetric]

The 6200-2RSH from SKF, *** or from another major manufacturer should be less than around USD 5.00 + local VAT.
Did only quickly check the code for SKF.
6200-2RS should be fine too (H ins RSH is for high speed). Check if the original bearing is a C3. Many electric motors are C3 (ISO clearance class group 3).
No idea where it will have been manufactured.

Major manufacturers publish PDF catalogs with detailed explanations, here for example SKF, possibly not the latest edition:

https://cdn.skfmediahub.skf.com/api/public/0901d196802809de/pdf_preview_medium/0901d196802809de_pdf_preview_medium.pdf

See pages 264/265.

It's a very common size, here many local dealers store them.

Many metric bearing sizes are standardized since a very long time. I remember machine tools from the late 40's with bearings easily available today.

SKF quality is usually good but their support is awfully bad here, you can't even talk to a specialist, "we call you back", the rest I let you guess. Schaeffler wasn't better the last time I called (also "we call you back"), so I chose another supplier as I couldn't wait.
Fortunately the documentation is good, rather read it than try to talk to a true specialist. Soon we'll get AI support.

To ensure the required TSMGO with 24/24 operations you just can't wait until someone calls you back 24 to 48 hours later... or even worse.

The product is one thing but support is important too. Too many large companies skip on *technical* sales support and aftersale service.
Sorry for my rant.

HTH

 

[Plump]

Certainly glad I didn't spend $50+ on an OEM!!! Or even $20. Thanks, gang!

Building my twin daughters a new book case and shelves for their room so some smooth running tools will be a huge help.

 

[bwringer]

I keep a goodly selection of 2RS metric bearings on hand for motorcycle wheel bearings. Nothing more irritating than spotting a bad bearing during a tire change and needing to wait to track down or order bearings.

Anyway, I've found that "KBC" brand bearings are in a real sweet spot for quality and value. They're made in Korea, excellent quality, and prices are only a little higher than no-name Chinese bearings. Zoro seems to carry a good selection, and of course they're constantly sending out 20% discount codes.

The prices you see for European name brand bearings are nutso, and unless you're very careful about the supplier you're probably getting a counterfeit. And even the name brands all make their bearings in China anyway.

 

[SwissMetric]

That's great.

Shops who rewind electric motors usually keep lots of bearings in stock for their own use. If you can find one not too far away maybe you could just stop by (rather don't call, it could possibly more easily lead to a negative reply) and politely ask. Don't request a bill and just pay cash.
Or just get it from a dealer.

The bearing of the pic in your first message is from NBK, a.ka. Chuang Hon Yi Axle Co., Ltd. in China.
10 times more expensive than from one of the top-notch manufacturers.

Bearing selection is a science, it can be from ultra-basic to highly complex. In some cases you don't necessarily require a strictly 1:1 replacement but iin such case you need to make sure to know the relevant parameters and how to interpret them.

Edited:
I don't know the NBK quality as such, simply won't take any risk. Also when replaced commercially, the price of small bearings ist often only a small fraction of the cost of labor. If you're lucky a cheap bearing will perform well but it's often also what I call the Chinese Lottery.
With a premium product the lottery is usually less risky. And also as Swiss I've a reputation to defend.

 

[seber]

The 6200-2RSH from SKF, *** or from another major manufacturer should be less than around USD 5.00 + local VAT.
Did only quickly check the code for SKF.
6200-2RS should be fine too (H ins RSH is for high speed). Check if the original bearing is a C3. Many electric motors are C3 (ISO clearance class group 3).
No idea where it will have been manufactured.

Major manufacturers publish PDF catalogs with detailed explanations, here for example SKF, possibly not the latest edition:

https://cdn.skfmediahub.skf.com/api/public/0901d196802809de/pdf_preview_medium/0901d196802809de_pdf_preview_medium.pdf

See pages 264/265.

It's a very common size, here many local dealers store them.

Many metric bearing sizes are standardized since a very long time. I remember machine tools from the late 40's with bearings easily available today.

SKF quality is usually good but their support is awfully bad here, you can't even talk to a specialist, "we call you back", the rest I let you guess. Schaeffler wasn't better the last time I called (also "we call you back"), so I chose another supplier as I couldn't wait.
Fortunately the documentation is good, rather read it than try to talk to a true specialist. Soon we'll get AI support.

To ensure the required TSMGO with 24/24 operations you just can't wait until someone calls you back 24 to 48 hours later... or even worse.

The product is one thing but support is important too. Too many large companies skip on *technical* sales support and aftersale service.
Sorry for my rant.

HTH

SKF caters to OEM. Their bearing data book is very thick and data rich. As an engineer, I found everything I needed in the catalog. No need to ever call for support.

 

[kbeefy]

 

[SwissMetric]

SKF caters to OEM. Their bearing data book is very thick and data rich. As an engineer, I found everything I needed in the catalog. No need to ever call for support.

Here in Switzerland when you order a bearing as spare part you usually get a SKF or ***, and not counterfeit ones.

Usually with some experience you don't need any support, it's more about missing technical data. I prefer very detailed documentations than having to rely on any form of technical support.