Bearings - 09:06 19 Nov 07This thread discusses the Content article: Bearings
My first article so be gentle with your comments
Actually you can say what ever you like because I'm sure 99% of you know more about skating than I do so don't be shy, give me all your comments and I'll try to make all the right changes.When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
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lemming
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Re:Bearings - 12:58 19 Nov 07I've only had a quick glance, but it looks pretty good. Except you missed microbearings. Mind you, I think they're less popular now. Full read later when I've got more time. ! Skate Monkey !
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A couple of things I noticed but to be honest it's perfectly OK leaving them out, as lemming says they are less popular now. - Micro Bearings - 6 ball & 7 ball bearings - You haven't mentioned ABEC ratings (probably a good thing as war's have started over this) - I was under the impression that you should use the same type of lubrication (oil or grease) as was in the bearing before you cleaned them as they are designed to run with that lubricant. I could easily be wrong though.
FWIW here is my view on the entirely personal bits... - I use an ultrasonic cleaner with at citrus degreaser followed by washing with water and baking them in the oven to fully dry and oiling them. - After cleaning some greased bearings once and them never being the same again I would never clean greased bearings and only clean oiled ... Everyone has different ways and no one is right! From now on I'm going to express all IP addresses in 192.0xa8.0020.235 form just to be awkward. - Twitter Status
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elric
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Re:Bearings - 14:12 19 Nov 07I'll happily reserch and add micro bearings as well as abec ratings if you like?
I doubt bearings are supplied with the best lubricant available, so as to keep costs down and finding out which was originally supplied might be near impossible, although when buying high quality for skating you might be told. I guess if you buy high end bearings then stick with the original lubrication but if dont buy high end stuff then any higher performance lubrication will be better, gels are better than greases.
Baking them in the oven, certainly works but we would need to add a tempreature and time otherwise people could change the properties of the steel, http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/heat1.htm I don't know what tempreatures and times are safe but I could look into it if you want it added. I myself don't use water, I just put that in because it is proposed on other skating sites and much safer than the methods I employ. (For Info Only- I use industrial solvents and then use compressed air to blow them dry, I do it at work)
I know where your coming from with bearings not feeling the same, the more I skate in the rain the quicker I'll find the answers to that However, once greased bearings are contaminated I really believe that leaving the grit in there will be more harmful then an attempt to clean them. IMO BUT If it aint broke don't fix it When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
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dogsbody
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Re:Bearings - 22:01 19 Nov 07Elric, sorry, all I meant that was that if you cleaned grease out of a bearing then you should put grease back and if you cleaned oil out you should put oil back. I didn't think you could swap as the bearing would be designed for that type of lubricant. As I say, I could easily be wrong.
As for oven cooking, I use a very low temperature (~120 degC) for about 5 mins or until dry. The water is to wash off the degreaser which while is very good at it's job can leave a residue over the bearing unless washed off. They definitely ran slower for me when I didn't wash them and running them in my fingers. Saying that everything probably changes when you have your full body weight on them and skate a few miles which is why all of this is so hard to qualify.
I did think of another option for the FAQ too!! Buy new bearings and sell/donate the old ones to a less fortunate skater. It's a lot easier From now on I'm going to express all IP addresses in 192.0xa8.0020.235 form just to be awkward. - Twitter Status
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elric
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Re:Bearings - 00:13 20 Nov 07Been thinking about this some more and the inner cage causes some concern, if it's plastic then solvents and or oven drying are probably not a good idea, where as a metal cage would be fine. Perhaps we are damaging the cage and this is while they never feel as good as new we could be opening a bigger can of worms so maybe best left alone. Aha, just found http://www.bonesbearings.com/gap/maintenance.html near the end they recomend an hour to break the bearings in again after cleaning. I think oil or grease is fine on any bearing but If your buying top end bearings don't stick cheap lubrication in them or your wasting your money buying top end gear. I guess you would not buy a ferrari and put Tesco value oil into it. Anyway, If you think it's best to stick with the original lube then I'll quite happily edit that in.
In general I think this article is more directed at people like me who have much to learn and therefore I probably would not notice the slight differences and TBH even if I could, I doubt it will change my skating technique, maybe a couple of years and the choices of lubrication will be more relevant for me. For a beginner probably the most important aspect is letting them know that bearings do need attention. I could make the title a beginners guide?
I agree with your last comment, I think it takes me about 1-2 hours to service my bearings..When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
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dogsbody
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Re:Bearings - 12:48 20 Nov 07Agreed, we are just nit-picking, your FAQ is already great From now on I'm going to express all IP addresses in 192.0xa8.0020.235 form just to be awkward. - Twitter Status
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lemming
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Re:Bearings - 13:50 20 Nov 07once greased bearings are contaminated I really believe that leaving the grit in there will be more harmful then an attempt to clean them
Only if they're VERY contaminated. A greased bearing will generally actually keep all the dirt out of the way of the balls. I don't think I've ever cleaned my current greased bearings. Mind you, a couple are sounding very dodgy so maybe it's time.! Skate Monkey !
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elric
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Re:Bearings - 16:28 20 Nov 07Hmmm don't know how to quantify how gritty they are but once you have serviced them once, I don't think you will rush into doing it again
Recap: Call it a beginners guide to bearings. research and add micro bearings and 6/7 ball. Add a big
disclaimer
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
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lemming
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Re:Bearings - 16:55 20 Nov 07When they no longer turn, or it sounds like you're skating on mice, then they're too gritty.! Skate Monkey !
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we could be opening a bigger can of worms so maybe best left alone.
