Long term ball bearing storage

[obj]

Hello all, going on a good month now been going round for round trying to find the correct size deep groove ball bearings for my table saw (arbor portion) I am rebuilding.

Think I finally got the sizing sorted out, so I am thinking about buying another set while I am at it for future use as the correct size ball bearings were a ***** to find.

I remember coming across some info that old-new bearings aren't that great..think the grease dries up/leeches out or something negative in regards to ones that have been sitting around for a while.

What do you guys think about storing ball bearings long term submerged in oil?

The only bad I could really think of is the oil (or other storage liquid) could mix with the bearing grease over time...would that be a bad thing?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this or any suggestions

 

[pi_guy]

Keep them sealed
Inspect and repack prior to use.

 

[AZ Pete]

Keep them sealed
Inspect and repack prior to use.

+1


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[My Old Tools]

The bearings in the saw should only last 30-40 years, maybe longer. Buying a second set is a waste.

 

[bwringer]

Bearings usually come in sealed plastic bags inside their boxes. Make sure the bags are intact, put 'em on the shelf somewhere dry, and don't worry about it for the next six or ten decades. Stick 'em inside a Ziploc freezer bag for an extra layer of protection from the elements.

It's also depressingly common to find that bearings have been removed from their bags and fumbled with by some idiot, so check for that.

 

[moneypit_k5]

The bearings in the saw should only last 30-40 years, maybe longer. Buying a second set is a waste.

This^


Also, for any of you guys loking for bearings or seals with no luck. Call Bearings Inc in downtown Vancouver wa. They know bearings.

 

[Firebrick43]

This^


Also, for any of you guys loking for bearings or seals with no luck. Call Bearings Inc in downtown Vancouver wa. They know bearings.

You know that Bearings Inc has changed its name to Motion Industries for over 15 years right?

They are one of the best to get bearings still however.

 

[moneypit_k5]

You know that Bearings Inc has changed its name to Motion Industries for over 15 years right?

They are one of the best to get bearings still however.

Actually out here, they are applied technologies. But the google still pulls them up.

 

[Firebrick43]

Your right. Applied technologies was bearings inc pre 97'. Both changed there name in and here in my town there nearly switched locations with each other. In my pre coffee clouded mind I wasn't thinking straight. I usually use Motion any more as its closer but have gone to applied from time to time. Before they switched locations I used applied tech for the most part. Which one is better depends on the employee behind the desk at the time.

 

[rlitman]

The bearings in the saw should only last 30-40 years, maybe longer. Buying a second set is a waste.

Basically. And after that time, replacements will still be readily available. Moreover, a few minutes and dollars spent doing things right from the start, may completely obviate the need for future replacement that takes hours of effort.

I would suggest three things.

1) Get the best bearings you can find (ABEC 3, electric motor quality), with the best quality seals. It may double the price, but when we're talking about $8 here, it's worth it.

2) Engrave the bearing code on the machine, so you don't need to do research when you replace them in 30 years (or not, if you have no problem measuring things in millimeters).

3) Spend a few bucks on the best grease you can get your hands on if you never want to replace the bearings again:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002L5UL92/?tag=atomicindus08-20
and repack them.

As for storing bearings (I have a drawer of all sorts of them), they come packed in "VCI paper" or sealed in VCI treated plastic bags (like the weird sticky-ish bags brake rotors come in. That will keep them corrosion free indefinitely.

 

[SMKS]

Hey OP, what size did they turn out to be? Just curious.

 

[pi_guy]

The bearings in the saw should only last 30-40 years, maybe longer. Buying a second set is a waste.

I would say it depends more on abuse. Than an actual age limit.
Also it depends on the quality of the bearing you start with.
One problem with bearing is they do not like foreign material in the races. Often with low powered cars the damage to the gearbox bearing is from shift dog ring pieces not power.
I stock a fair amount of bearing they are mostly sealed in plastic. I have setup bearing where they are ground down a bit so a press fit is not needed. They have sat about shop for years and they are fine

 

[sberry]

I wouldn't stock more parts, simply write numbers down.

 

[pi_guy]

I wouldn't stock more parts, simply write numbers down.

The bearing and parts I stock go up 5% a year. Some parts are unobtainable.

 

[obj]

Thank you guys for the replies, much appreciated

I actually have to agree with a a few of you, sum it up: buy just what I need now.

It's not like the saw is going to be run Monday through Friday, 52 weeks a year.

Probably the most use it will see is right off the bat, installing wood floors and wanted one to make cuts (rip or cross..get them mixed up) that I couldn't do on a miter saw.

Also to answer the question about sizing.So little long winded story:

Was going to buy a Ridgid Table Saw from HD to aide me in installing the wood floors at my place.Mentioned my plans to my grandfather in passing and he said I could have his table saw.

It is a Craftsman contractors table saw 113.299410 from either the late 80s/early 90s.Cast iron table and wings. Think was rusted to all hell, used electrolysis to clean it up pretty nice.

So back to sizing, the originals are sized strange imperial & metric:

NSK 62020DU 6202-625 they are 5/8"(.625)I.D.x35mmO.D.x11mm.

If the table saw shaft was sized 15mm I would have no problem at all finding replacements (good brands,SKF,Timken,etc.).

One big point too, I didn't want chinese bearings.I have yet to get them, but ordered a set of Nachi 620210ZZE C3 5/8"x35mmx11mm Ball Bearings...Made in Japan.

After pressing another set I bought locally discovered I had about 5 Thousands play side to side on the O.D. and the cast iron housing Think the those might have been 1 3/8" O.D...lesson learned I will take better measurements before pressing.

OK enough ramblin, thanks again guys.

 

[Firebrick43]

6202 with a 5/8 shaft is quite common, we use a lot of them at work. . It would be easy to turn down the bearing area to 15 mm in the future. (If you had to)

Nachi is an excellent brand. In fact better than Timken ball bearings which are normally repackaged fafnir and more and more of Turkish or other foreign origin.

 

[sberry]

You would likely be correct to assume the duty cycle, use it for a couple projects and it won't work 40 hrs a week for decades. I just did a couple 40 yr old motors. They will never see the kind of use they did when they were new.

 

[uscarry45]

i like the idea of having an extra set of bearings. I would buy them and a piece of pvc pipe and two end caps large enough to store them in. Put the bearings in and fill the pvc with oil or grease and seal the caps on. Sharpie to remind you whats inside and will be good for generations to come

 

[moneypit_k5]

I really dont understand the idea of storing extra bearings. How much are you guys using this tool? If you are going thru bearings that much, something is wrong. either go easier on the saw, or find a heavier saw.

Perhaps some folks just need the clutter to keep their world in sync

 

[pi_guy]

I really dont understand the idea of storing extra bearings. How much are you guys using this tool? If you are going thru bearings that much, something is wrong. either go easier on the saw, or find a heavier saw.

Perhaps some folks just need the clutter to keep their world in sync

Mine do not fit saws, they could but it might be overkill.
Been try to find a source for some bearing and if I could get a good price I would buy a couple of hundred. And sort of sit on them, I have an order for ten at moment so they move.
Have bearing purchased 10 - 15 years ago with a cost of 19 bucks and now they list for 150. The other thing that pops up from time to time is bearing being obsoleted and dropped from production. Then you have small little gold mines if you have any in stock. My stuff is racing transaxeles there in all vintage sports & formula cars.

But the original poster asked about long term storage of roller, needle and linear bearing and it is not difficult. Most new ones come in plastic, the older ones are in treated paper. Keep them out of extremes and water they live long time.

 

[moneypit_k5]

Mine do not fit saws, they could but it might be overkill.
Been try to find a source for some bearing and if I could get a good price I would buy a couple of hundred. And sort of sit on them, I have an order for ten at moment so they move.
Have bearing purchased 10 - 15 years ago with a cost of 19 bucks and now they list for 150. The other thing that pops up from time to time is bearing being obsoleted and dropped from production. Then you have small little gold mines if you have any in stock. My stuff is racing transaxeles there in all vintage sports & formula cars.

But the original poster asked about long term storage of roller, needle and linear bearing and it is not difficult. Most new ones come in plastic, the older ones are in treated paper. Keep them out of extremes and water they live long time.

my comment was more toward the guys who have one tool they use from time to time. You make a living out of selling bearings, not quite the same.