Shopsmith Forums

can you buy bearing for idler shaft or do you have to buy whole shaft?

I just had to do that and yes bearings are available but not from SS, I got them from Locate Ball Bearings . Com reasonably price as well. Hard part is getting the old off and the new on. Luckily I had a good shop near by that had a big press and popped them off and back on in minutes.

http://www.locateballbearings.com/

thank you

I think I've read on several posts that you need stick with the one piece bearings instead of separate bearings. Hopefully someone will chime in on this. Otherwise do a search for "idler bearing in this forum.

silenthope wrote:I think I've read on several posts that you need stick with the one piece bearings instead of separate bearings. Hopefully someone will chime in on this. Otherwise do a search for "idler bearing in this forum.

I'm not sure what you are referring to. The bearings I received were an exact match sealed just like the OEM. SS did not mfg the bearings, they bought them as well, the MFG is still in business. My machine is a mid 50's model, I did not want to change all the parts over to the grooved belt, I had just bought a new gilmer belt when I discovered that my bearings were in need of replacement. I called SS and they said they didn't sell bearings any more I woiuld have to buy a complete belt replacement system for about $100+ way more than I wanted to spend on a tool that get light occasional use.

TomHoffman wrote:I'm not sure what you are referring to.

Ha! Sometimes I'm not sure either! I've attached a picture of the idler bearing that I'm assuming you were talking about. Again, I'm hoping someone else responds to what I thought I read about NOT using two separate bearings to replace the original. Am I mistaken?

Thinking this out. I'm betting you're referring to the drive shaft bearing? (There's a 1962 Poly-V drive shaft in the previous picture...same thing, only yours has the gilmer gear). Am I correct?

Yes, I was referring to the right one with the pair of bearings and the nylon cone that the quill fits into. Guess I stepped into it.

Both the two bearings on the drive sleeve are replaceable as well as the two bearings on the Mark VII idler shaft.

JPG wrote:Both the two bearings on the drive sleeve are replaceable as well as the two bearings on the Mark VII idler shaft.

JPG, just to clarify, hasn't it been said that replacing the "waterpump" style idler bearing with two separate bearings not as reliable? ...they fail much sooner than the original?