why did I wait so long to replace the bearings?

[low_48]

My VS Jet mini had been getting pretty noisy. Not horrible, so I kept putting off the replacement. I had an extra day off yesterday so I pulled out the old ones and went to the bearing store. $13.74 for both bearings, and it took me less than a half hour on the lathe. Purrs like a kitten again. Good as new!!!!!!

 

[GouletPens]

How long have you used the old bearings? How many hours would you guess you put on them?

 

[low_48]

Let's see, I'm 56 (memory fading) and I turn about...........I would have to guess that I've used it for 7+ years? This was my second Jet mini, the first one was blue, I bought this one about 6 months after they came out with the variable speed. So whenever that was. About 75 ornaments a year, maybe 100 pens a year, 20 boxes a year, a few small bowls (I also have a Oneway 2436), many public demos, a few classes, etc........Doesn't seem like a lot when I look at it this way, so maybe it was more years.

The inboard bearing showed more wear and distress than the outboard. Makes sense. The inboard bearing had thrown out some grease, something I had no idea that had happened, and was noticeably looser when spun in my fingers. I probably could have just replaced that one, but was very pleased with the price I paid and it didn't make any sense to just replace the one.

 

[its_virgil]

My Jet Mini is 5 years old. I turn not only pens but bowls and other vessels. I turn bowls as large as the jet will handle. I also turn lots of pens. I've changed my bearings 3 times in those five years. I'm sure that part of the reason is turning stuff too large for that lathe, but replacing the bearings is cheaper than purchasing a larger lathe. The jet handles a 9.5 inch diameter bowl that is 5 to 6 inches deep just fine. I'll continue and consider a bearing change to be a small price to pay. I love my Jet mini.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

How long have you used the old bearings? How many hours would you guess you put on them?

 

[GouletPens]

I have a Delta midi and I do a lot of turning as well, I've only had it 15 months but I've clocked probably 500 hours on it. It's starting to make a whining noise every so often that I thought was the belt, but now that I think about it that could be the bearings. You think I'd be best off just changing the bearings, since it wouldn't hurt to anyway?

 

[Mudder]

I have a Delta midi and I do a lot of turning as well, I've only had it 15 months but I've clocked probably 500 hours on it. It's starting to make a whining noise every so often that I thought was the belt, but now that I think about it that could be the bearings. You think I'd be best off just changing the bearings, since it wouldn't hurt to anyway?

Yes.

I would consider it preventative maintenance. While you're in there you might want to consider replacing the belt to and you won't have to disassemble twice.

 

[Rifleman1776]

IMHO, bearings should not fail in normal use. What has been described so far I would class as normal use. Others mention failing bearings in their Jet lathes also. It is a common topic here, and on other forums I visit. If I were in the market for a new lathe, this would give me pause when considering Jet products.
I used my old Grizzly lathe daily for over six years with no bearing, or other wear problems, other than belts on the Reeves drive. That is the kind of performance one should expect from a shop tool.
Also makes me wonder why folks knock Grizzly and recommend Jet over the Griz. Just wonderin' .


(yes, yes, I know they both come out of the same factory in China. But, they are built to each companies specifications. Different bearing specs? I dunno, can only speculate.)

 

[GouletPens]

I bought a Grizzly mini lathe as my first pen lathe. It was great for about 3 pens, then it was horribly out of true. I called them and they sent me new bearings, but I had pens to make in the meantime so I bought a delta midi. The Grizzly sat around for a good 8 months before I was motivated to replace the bearings. When I did, it was a huge pain and long story short, I ended up damaging the NEW bearings upon installation and I said screw it. The mini lathe is now a shop decoration. I've heard good things otherwise about the Grizzly lathes, I just wish I'd had the same luck.

 

[Nick]

I have had my Delta midi for about 5 years and replaced the bearings twice. The bearings came from a local bearing supply house and were upgraded versions. The bearings in my 16x42 General have been fine after 1.5 years. I just got a new Grizzly model G0657 about 3 months ago and I love this lathe. The casting,fit and finish are excellent, runs true and very quiet. IMHO it far exceeds the VS Jet at a much lower cost.
I did not have to pay shipping as I picked it up at the Bellingham store.

 

[george]

I have a Delta midi and I do a lot of turning as well, I've only had it 15 months but I've clocked probably 500 hours on it. It's starting to make a whining noise every so often that I thought was the belt, but now that I think about it that could be the bearings. You think I'd be best off just changing the bearings, since it wouldn't hurt to anyway?

Perhaps small advice I got some time ago, and it helped.Try removing the belt from the main axe, and just run the motor. If this is very silent, than the noise is coming from the bearings on the main axe.
I have tried this, and since the motor was running so quitly I could bearly hear it, went out and purchased new bearings for the main axe. Worth it. If you are making bowls and similar biger items, it might be better to purchase more quality bearings rather than cheap stuff from China.

My opinion, at least.

 

[Mudder]

IMHO, bearings should not fail in normal use. What has been described so far I would class as normal use.

Frank,

Your statement has one small hole in it.

Properly installed bearings should not fail from normal use and the design of most of the mini lathes on the market do not allow the bearings to be installed and preloaded properly so if you ask any bearing manufacturer in the world if these bearings are seeing normal use they would say NO!

For a bearing to be installed properly, either the inner or outer race of the bearing MUST be a press fit and from the Jet, Delta, & Turncrafter pro that I've worked on I cannot say that any of them have their bearings installed properly. Secondly, on a shaft with two or more bearings the press fit should be reversed. I.E., if the inboard bearing is pressed to the shaft then the outboard bearing should be pressed into the housing. To install a ball bearing in this application is really pushing the envelope of design limitation. Actually, Conical bearings (similar to what is in your car or truck) would have been almost an ideal choice. Some castings will be tighter than other and I suspect that is why some folks have better luck with their bearings than others.

The problem, as I see it (others may disagree and that is fine), is that there is a design flaw in the equipment and that limits the life of the bearings. Therefore I would consider bearing changes to be preventative maintenance. You wouldn't dream of running your vehicle for 50,000 miles without an oil change would you?

 

[GouletPens]

You wouldn't dream of running your vehicle for 50,000 miles without an oil change would you?

Actually I have dreamt about it. In my dreams the cars run on hope, the bills are paid with hugs, and my wife lets me buy all the tools I want:wink:

 

[Mudder]

Actually I have dreamt about it. In my dreams the cars run on hope, the bills are paid with hugs, and my wife lets me buy all the tools I want:wink:

Yea, yea smart guy :wink:

The check IS in the mail.

And, I won't .................. Well, we need not go there on a family site.