Bearing shops are all pretty much the same, right? Not so fast. With such a variety of bearing types in the market these days, it pays to do your research before purchasing bearings for your project. Some bearings are very easy to work with, others not so much. Some can handle heavy loads, some cannot. Some are fast and smooth running, some are slow and noisy. They all have very different requirements for mounting and dismounting them, so you have to know what you’re working with ahead of time. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of factors to consider when shopping for a bearing shop in Singapore which will allow you to make a wise purchase, and get the bearing you need.
1. Bearing Types
If you’re going to be selecting a bearing for your project or refinishing one, there are some types of bearings that you should know about. This section is meant to give you a general idea of what to expect in terms of performance, size, price and so on. Bearings in this section are all designed with a variety of different applications in mind. But since the type of application you’re looking for is fairly general, I’m going to lay out the different types and then go into some specifics.
2. Price
To determine the price of a bearing, you first have to know the size of the bearing. Normally there are five or six standard sizes for bearings (for example: 619, 688 and so on), but sometimes there are different types that have the same size designation. Be sure you know what you’re buying before you buy. On this website, for example, if a bearing is offered in more than one size and type, there is a specific field for entering which size (in millimetres) you want to order. For example, if you need a 619 bearing and you find that there is a 619/1 (a six-eighths of a millimetre diameter) and 619/2 (a six-ninths of a millimetre diameter), make sure which size you want before ordering.
3. Mounting
Some bearings can be mounted with a press, some cannot. Some have a machined bore and some do not. Some are designed to be mounted with the aid of spacers, while others require a piece of shaft or the like to be inserted into the bearing before mounting it to a housing. This is important because it will affect what type of nut and bolt you need to use, as well as the overall strength of the bearing. I always recommend that you use a type that can be mounted with standard tools (a press, wrench or the like) for your project. There are also some bearings that cannot be mounted in a press or any other means at all.
4. Load Rating
Bearings are normally rated from 0 to 50,000 lbf of force. Some bearings will be able to handle higher loads, some lower. For your new bearing, you will want to make sure that the load rating is within your needs.
5. Size
Size plays an important part in bearing selection, mainly because it impacts installation and dismounting time. As a general rule of thumb, larger bearings are used in larger applications, while smaller bearings are used in smaller applications (or vice-versa). In addition, there are some very oddball sizes available as well that are unique to certain manufacturers.
Conclusion
By doing some research on the type of application you need, the size, and the mounting method, you will have a much more successful experience when working with bearings.
