Bronze Bandsaw Bearings

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:36 am

I was told the old SS bandsaws had bronze bearings & lasted forever if they we maintained. Whereas the stainless steel bearings supposedly require replacement every couple of years dependent upon use. Were these for both the upper & lower guide & the tracking bearings. I've seen the posts where more common bearings are used in lieu of the more expensive SS bearings. I like saving a buck when I can. But I'm wondering if there are any better bearings; i.e. ceramic, etc. that will allow for a one time purchase/upgrade and last proving they are maintained. 25 years ago, I sat in a college classroom and was told how ceramic and other materials would make steel balls obsolete... I'm still waiting.
Signed: Looking for my bearings,
Tony

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Sat May 17, 2008 11:12 am

Shopsmith went to ball bearings for the auto-trac and the back-up in their bandsaw for a reason.........Shopsmith rarely makes a change unless it is for the better. Try wearing out a set of good quality bearings and then decide if you want to pay the price of ceramic bearings. I am in the process of trying a set of ceramic blade guides in one of my saws and that may prove to be better than the standard steel guides that Shopsmith uses.......Time will tell.

LDH

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Sat May 17, 2008 11:37 am

I would like to believe the change for a better thing except for an example of the strip sander. The strip sanders of old had ball bearings in the idler wheels. Well, SS found a less expensive method and stopped making idler wheels with ball bearings. I discussed this with a number of people and it turns out that this was strictly a cost-savings issue. As a result, I know of one person who has a machine shop making him some idler wheels similar to the old ones for sale to his customers. I had him put me on his list until I found a strip sander on Ebay with bearings.

I believe it is a compromise between making a product and making a profit. SS, IMHO, turns out quality made in the good olde US of A products. But there is a point as to what a service-life expectancy will be that will be both a win-win for all concerned. I think many of of us are people who by nature can get 2-3 times the normal service life out of anything. We can't help it. Anyhow, I have to go outside and try and increase the service life of my car...