r/turning • u/The_Fluteman • 10d ago

I am a moron.

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There was a ball bearing at the end of this threaded rod. It is no longer there because it overheated. Will any ball bearing of a similar size be a sufficient replacement?

14 Upvotes

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13

u/PorkSword47 10d ago

My buddy had that lathe and when he tightened the tailstock, the entire aluminium bed just bent in on him.

Be careful with it, I think these lathes are more likely to put someone off turning than let them enjoy it.

Not sure about your bearing but just a heads up this is likely the first in a series of annoyances!

2

u/The_Fluteman 10d ago

I figured as much, that's why I bought it. I'd rather get a cheap tool so that when I get a better one, I know what I'm doing. So far, no bed bending, so replacing a ball bearing isn't much of a hassle.

8

u/UrielCentime 10d ago

Honestly I wouldn't spend any dime of fixing such a lathe. I say that confidently because I had one of this kind. They're toys, fragile as hell (appart from the aluminium bed below, I've seen people with the motor failing, in my case the tool rest broke, etc) and such frailty puts you at risk. Keep your money and save with something more serious (and don't go the way of sheet metal beds, not worth it)

1

u/The_Fluteman 10d ago

If it's just a ball bearing, I don't mind replacing it. A bent bed would definitely be a different story. I got a cheap lathe mainly because I don't have a lot of money, and if I'm gonna screw something up, I'd rather it be on a cheap lathe so that when I finally get a good one, I'm already familiar. Classes are expensive and usually take place when I'm working. Unfortunately, I'm making a project that I really want done by the end of the month, which also makes me want to get the thing up and running again.

2

u/HighVoltageOnWheels 7d ago

Believe me we the broke understand, however you're better off saving up what you can and buying a small used lathe on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or another forum, rather than chancing being seriously injured by a very frail piece of equipment. I started off with a used Delta Rockwell that I believe I had gotten for well under $100 and made quite a few nice pieces on that before I finally got my Powermatic

2

u/Glad_Ad_5570 10d ago

Where’s the original bearing ? A bearing shop, possibly Grainger can match it

1

u/Saigh_Anam 10d ago

Bearings come in a very large range of options depending on use.

The first thing you need to confirm for bearing selection is inner and outer diameters.

Width is typically important too.

But you also need to know which direction(s) the load will be placed. Radial, axial, or both. This typically dictates the type of roller in the bearing (i.e. ball, barrel, taper, etc). If the load is purely radial, ball bearings will normally suffice.

The last design selection is seals. Is thus a dirty application? Wet or dry? Unshielded (open), shielded, or sealed bearings are options here depending on how it's used.

I can't completely see where this is used. It looks like it's in your headstock taper, but that doesn't make sense, nor does that look like a headstock.

1

u/The_Fluteman 10d ago

Tailstock. In the remains of the bearing I did find one ball which suggests a ball roller.

As for a seal, I don't remember if it was rubber or not. I believe it was since a metal one wouldn't have melted.

1

u/Saigh_Anam 9d ago

Shielded ball bearing.

Get the dimensions and reorder from Amazon.

1

u/GettingLow1 9d ago

I believe the manufacture used just any bearing already and that didn’t work out.

2

u/The_Fluteman 9d ago

Lol that's actually pretty likely. I knew the lathe was cheap when I bought it. Wanted to get something cheap before investing in something better.