I had to build a 16' beam and an 8' post. I'm using two different pattern bits. It seems that I'm going through bearings at a record rate. Anyone else have this problem? To cut the beam I went through two bearings, one on an Amana bit and the other on an "Exchange-a-bit."
All of the bearings are R3ZZs. They all have steel seals on them and I have no way of cleaning and lubricating them.
What kind of wood are you cutting? I've never had an Amana bit trash a bearing, unless I did something wrong. Is it possible you are applying too much pressure? Can't say that about EAB. Remember let the router do the work. If it starts burning, then speed up, just a little.
I use a dental pick to pop off the shield. Most of the time the shield will come off undamaged. Clean the bearing with a good solvent, apply a good light grease and snap the shield back on. If the balls are burnt or pitted, don't waste your time. A bearing will let you know before it fails. It will start making noise and feel rough when you turn it.
There aren't many left in the USA, and I have no idea about up there, but there are a few places that sell military surplus bearings. We have one here is SA. Little bearings like that are about $2.00, and these are top of the line.
One more trick, If you can’t open a bearing, try soaking them. I use 3in1 oil, (not WD40)
Just drop them in a baby food jar, and set them someplace you will see them. Shake the jar once in awhile or turn the bearing once in awhile. In a week they will work again, if they are going to.
(You can tell I’m a cheapskate, can’t you?)
Harry
the TX one
What kind of wood are you cutting? I've never had an Amana bit trash a bearing, unless I did something wrong. Is it possible you are applying too much pressure? Can't say that about EAB. Remember let the router do the work. If it starts burning, then speed up, just a little.
I'm cutting spruce for the most part. This is just standard construction stud material. I haven't gotten into the hard woods yet. That will be in a few months. As far as pressure, I'm getting a clean cut without marring the spruce except when the bearing starts to seize up.
I use a dental pick to pop off the shield. Most of the time the shield will come off undamaged. Clean the bearing with a good solvent, apply a good light grease and snap the shield back on. If the balls are burnt or pitted, don't waste your time. A bearing will let you know before it fails. It will start making noise and feel rough when you turn it.
There aren't many left in the USA, and I have no idea about up there, but there are a few places that sell military surplus bearings. We have one here is SA. Little bearings like that are about $2.00, and these are top of the line.
One more trick, If you can’t open a bearing, try soaking them. I use 3in1 oil, (not WD40)
Just drop them in a baby food jar, and set them someplace you will see them. Shake the jar once in awhile or turn the bearing once in awhile. In a week they will work again, if they are going to.
WD40 is not a lubricant, It is a Water Displacement product, it will degrease parts really well, thin 3 in 1 oil should be used in bearings as OldChipper writes.
I'll have to find some lubricating oil - SAE 5W-30 any good?
The guy that sells me the bearings advised against using engine oil, because of the additives. He recommend the 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil. Not sure that makes sense, but he being selling bearing for 40 years. He is also the one that showed me how to remove the seal etc. I've had good results following his advise
Spruce should be easy to mill unless it's green. Sure sounds like you are applying too much pressure without realizing it. Weigh of the router should be enough.
At last years trade show they had a little square piece of plastic?? this was placed over the bearing. This just slide along the work, instead of the bearing. It may have been the Rockler guys, but I'm not sure, maybe someone else here has used them. They were supposed to reduce burning.
Harry
the TX one
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