Last night i noticed that my pacbay deluxe chuck was getting long in the tooth. The bearings have a noticable grind to them and I also noticed that while spinning the bearings are actually working therselves out of the aluminum stand.

I measured them and they seem to be standard 12x28x8 bearings. I can purchase different models all over the net in that size but I was curious if there might be better types out there that would allow the head to turn more freely.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Adam,
Any of the readily available bearings should work well for you with minimum friction. If the heat stock shaft is getting some binding and the bearings are replaced, I would look at the bearing alignment to be sure that the alignment of the bearings is not causing the issue.
If one of the bearings is not exactly in line with the desired center line of the head stock shaft, the shaft will tend to bind a bit.

I would suggest that after getting new bearings, put a bearing on the shaft and check for rotation. Then, take the 2nd bearing on the shaft and check for rotation. Finally press the bearings back into the head stock and verify that the shaft turns with the same eze inserted into the mounted head stock bearings as you had with the bearings in free space. If not, then you need to work over the alignment of the bearings to free up the shaft rotation.

Remember, most of the new bearings will come packed with a light grease for long bearing life. The grease will cause a slight big of shaft resistance. If you wish, you can pop off the bearing shield, wash out all of the grease and replace it with a few drops of light sewing machine oil or equivalent. This will reduce the slight friction caused by the heavier grease. But, if you do that, you will then need to oil the bearings from time to time to keep them lubricated in the same way that one needs to lubricate fishing rod reel bearings from time to time. With most motor setups, this slight amount of friction can be ignored and is easily overcome by the motors rotation.

With out a belt on the head stock and with the chuck on the headstock shaft, you should be able to easily spin the chuck and have it continue to spin for multiple rotations after the initial spinning force. If not, there is a drag issue that should be remedied.

Good luck

Roger Thanks for the reply. I am not getting several rotations out of the headstock with the wheel removed. but again when I rotate the headstock i can feel the grinding. The bearings are just your run of the mill 2 buck specials with metal shields. I was thinking of upgrading to rubber shields or even bocabearings but obviously those are much more. I don't know if they would be worth the investment if ne replacement bearings would work.


As a side note would it hurt to drill and tap a small set screw into the headstock to apply slight pressure on the bearings if even the new bearings work them self loose?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2015 10:27AM by Adam Lathrop.

Pop one out and go to the local auto parts store and have them match it up. All bearings have a number on them to cross reference.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Adam,
No issue with drilling and tapping a hole to secure the bearings. You will not deform the bearing at all with slight pressure of a set screw.

Be safe

Would a rubber sealed bearing offer less or more friction then a standard metal shielded bearing?

Typically a bit more.

But bearings in general should give enough drag to ever be an issue when using them on a wrapper or on a dryer.

Be safe

Adam, your bearing is a 6001. You can buy it as an open bearing, with shields, or with seals. The shields/seals are basically to keep dirt out. The seals also help to keep the grease in if the bearing gets hot. If you want to pay stupid money (and I wouldn't) you could buy a 7001 bearing.

Standard ABEC 1 shielded bearing are fine for your application. Other than that I'd suggest a bearing made in Europe/American/Japan.....and not (well you know where).

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Or maybe you are better with a Batson Chuck

Bill - willierods.com