Shopsmith Forums

I replaced my 10ER drive bearings with Fafnir originals a few years ago, and would now like to replace the quill / spindle bearings. I have conducted a fair amount of research on the web ,(including this forum) looking for a reliable resource for OEM replacements. Unfortunately, I am finding that the Fafnir 202KLL3's are increasingly hard to find, and when you do find some, are overpriced and have the potential to be fake China knockoffs.

A post by a prominent member on this site recommended A&W Bearings, in Texas; however, I cannot locate a website and found an article that they may have been purchased by another co. back in 2018.

Amazon has Timken: https://www.amazon.com/Timken-202KLL3-B ... B006KSOPRA, but I don't know if these are "C1 grade", and Amazon would have one of the highest risks of getting the fake bearings.

Ebay has Fafnir: https://www.ebay.com/itm/153939148162?e ... R8qdl-D9Yw, but according to what I've researched, these should no longer be in production, the box looks new, and again has a high risk of being fake.

If anyone has a rock-solid reputable resource for OEM C1 grade replacements, please let me know. Many thanks

Shopsmith 10ER Quill / Spindle Bearing Size, for reference:
ID .6299 (16mm)
OD 1.378 (35mm)
W .5669 (14.4mm)
Original felt shielded Fafnir 202KLL3 are C1 grade precision bearings.

Motion Industries has them. They are a very reputable company.

https://www.motion.com/products/sku/00051563

jsburger wrote: Thu Jun 06, 2024 7:09 pm Motion Industries has them. They are a very reputable company.

https://www.motion.com/products/sku/00051563

I knew about this company from my research, it’s good to hear from multiple resources that they’re reputable. Substantially higher price than others, but I suppose that’s the price of piece of mind that you’re getting genuine parts.

Thank you for the recommendation.

I called Timken technical support this morning regarding their model number prefix "P". I find the 202KLL3 bearing sometimes referenced as "P202KLL3". I was wondering if there was a difference in the grade. Per the technical staff at Timken, their current 202KLL3 is a C3 tolerance bearing. He said that they no longer offer a C1, and that the best they can offer today is a C0 which is apparently loser than C1.

Am I over thinking this? Perhaps I should leave the quill bearings alone. I only replaced the drive bearings as they were making a horrible noise, indicating that they had failed.

P.S. - The Fafnir 205KLL2 drive pulley bearings I purchased in the old green box also included a "P" prefix on the back of the box and indicate "C3" over the barcode...

If the bearings clean up after you remove the dust seal, and there is no play or roughness, you can repack them yourself. Usually 30-40% full. If you fill them to the brim and put the seal back, they can overheat for a while because there's no cavity for them to sling the extra grease.

These aren't jet aircraft...if they are smooth and quiet after repacking, you've bought some time....maybe significant years.

Kevin