Originally posted by MLKWoodWorking
http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/6005ZZ10-1
Thanks Randy for showing my senile side! [:0]
EDIT: Corrected for the double shielded.
Mike: I was just getting ready to tell you that you had the wrong bearing; but I see that you caught the mistake. The RS code on the bearing you originally mentioned is a "RUBBER SEALED" bearing and what is in the JET is a double metal shielded bearing.
I'm no expert in this area so the fact that I say I have never heard of the VXB brand doesn't mean a whole lot. It looks like they are made in the US which could be good and they are made out of SS which could also be good. They are quite a bit cheaper, price-wise, that what I thought good bearings should cost so that might be bad. VXB does not state what the ABEC rating is. You might want to call them and find out.
jwalt posted a link to McMaster and I have some concerns about what I see there as well. First off, they claim their bearings are ABEC class 1 which is the lowest class of five qualities available. ABEC classes are 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The MMC bearings are not made out of SS.....probably not a big deal; but may indicate a lesser quality and I did not see where MMC indicated if the bearings were made in the USA or foreign made. Finally, their price is about twice what I thought a quality bearing should cost. Heck, I don't think JET even charges that much for their OEM replacements.
Bottom line, I don't have a recommendation for you. One seems too cheap and the other seems too expensive. Still think your best bet would be to get out the yellow pages and see if you can find a local bearing supplier to talk to. I would try for Timken or SKF bearings unless a salesman could convince you that he has an equal product.
By gut feeling is that pretty much any bearing should work. There are not terribly large loads on the bearings of the mini lathes and most of them don't get run but a few hours a week so in most cases, when bearings fail, I think it is not due to wear so much as it it to the bearings not being quite right when manufactured.
I hope someone will drop in who has more experience in this area and can offer some good comments. that's part of the reason that I suggested calling a bearing supplier.
And one final question. You said your headstock heating heat problem had been solved by loosening the hand-wheel. So why are you still interested in buying bearings? Do you still have some reason ton suspect your bearings are bad??
Good luck!!