Sourcing Small Bearings

[YYCHM]

A small bearing on my steady rest decided to self-destruct today.



Little Machine Shop description is as follows

Bearing for ball bearing steady rest and follower rest.

Size is 3/16" (ID) x 1/2" (OD) x 5/32" (width).

ID: 4.762 mm = 0.1875 in (3/16)

OD: 12.7 mm = 0.5 in (1/2)

Width: 3.967 mm = 0.1562 in (5/32)

Any idea where to source something like this in Calgary?

Thanks

 

[Janger]

Princess but the smallest they have is 25mm and they’re metric. Casterland might have some. Transmission supply store?

 

[Dabbler]

Transmission supply. Princess Auto. Banggood.com (if you have 4 weeks for delivery)

 

[YYCHM]

Looks like router bit bearings run 3/16 X 1/2 X 6/32. Should be close enough and are available anywhere that sells router stuff.

Now to figure out why it failed like it did. This steady rest has always been a little troublesome. You can snug the alignment fingers up finger tight but when you attempt to lock them down with the through bolts the fingers seem to cant and lock up way tighter than was intended.

 

[historicalarms]

Might be worth a check at that hobby store on 32nd, they have a lot of small stuff like that or a local roller skate shop.

 

[PeterT]

Hobby store on 32nd would be PM Hobby. They probably have bearings in little baggies with exotic labels but 99% chance associated with RC cars/heli's/planes so highly likely metric because that's where all that stuff comes from these days and are probably $$. On short notice you are better off at a bearing store & probably not that horribly priced.. You can get lucky on ebay but factor shipping time. Ali has lots but probably mostly metric & slow boat shipping.

I find it helpful to enter the dimensions into an online tool & get the bearing code. Then sometimes you get more hits by entering the code
https://www.vxb.com/

For example this is R3ZZ. This isnt your bearing because its 0.196" & you are after 0.156" but just illustrating.
https://www.vxb.com/R3ZZ-Shielded-3-16-x1-2-x-0-196-inch-Miniature-p/r3zz-1.htm

 

[Brian Ross]

If mail order is ok, you could try Bearings Canada. I haven't ordered from them but they seem to have a good selection and reasonable prices.

 

[PeterT]

That Bearings Canada is a good resource. I completely forgot I bookmarked it some time ago. Basically same offerings as the other bearing supply places in States without the border & customs stuff.

 

[Johnwa]

Motion Canada, 4155-75 ave SE is pretty good. They used to be BC bearings.
I’ve found that unless they’re an oddball size, small bearings don’t cost very much so it’s not worth spending much time finding the cheapest source.

 

[Tom Kitta]

Try eBay - there is a company that sends you bearings not just in size BUT in quality and precision of your choice.

I got bearings from Czechia (aka Czech republic) for less than PA sells some Chinese crap. Czech stuff is more or less same quality as German stuff so one of the best bearings in the world.

https://www.ebay.ca/usr/bohemiaseal_oilseal0?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

Shipping is very fast as it comes from EU.

 

[YYCHM]

Ends up the bearing I needed was the same size as that used on router bits. I sourced 5 for $8 at BB.

Ya, I know BB is to be avoided but they just happen to be less than 5 minutes from my back door. I'm doomed.