Which bearings?

Started by razerface, April 05, 2024, 09:51:22 AM

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razerface

Went to amazon to get some spare bearings because i like to tear everything apart whether it needs it or not. Drove my mother crazy when i was young!

Are there certain bearings that are best for tops? I found rubber sealed, steel sealed and some ceramic bearings. I remember from my rollerblading days that there are many levels of quality. Would ceramic bearings survive hitting the ground?

I measured strummel8 bearings to be 5x10x4mm

I found stainless  ABEC 3 and ABEC 5 on amazon. I also found ABEC 7 ceramic at 3 times the price of the ABEC 5

ortwin

I would give hybrid bearings a try. Ceramic balls, the rest steel.
Complete ceramic bearings I found too fragile.
If you wash out the grease and oil the bearings usually come with, the top will spin longer but be louder.
But mostly I use steel bearings now that are steel sealed. Steel sealed run better than rubber sealed. Unsealed accumulate dirt too fast.
Since hybrid bearings also eventually degenerate, steel bearings with their better price and wide availability are the best choice for me at the moment.


In the broader world of tops, nothing's everything!  —  Jeremy McCreary

razerface

I ordered some Abec5 bearings, all steel to try. At $1.20 each, delivered, it almost isn't worth cleaning them, just replace when dirty. I am going to order some hybrid ceramic/steel to try, but they are too expensive to be disposable. They are abec7.

I will collect dirty steel bearings and throw them in the ultrasonic cleaner to see what happens.

ortwin

Quote from: razerface on April 06, 2024, 09:20:02 AM
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I will collect dirty steel bearings and throw them in the ultrasonic cleaner to see what happens.
You should also try to throw two new ones in the ultrasonic cleaner together with mineral spirits. Don't forget to dry them well afterwards, maybe with a hair blower. Expect a clear improvement!

In the broader world of tops, nothing's everything!  —  Jeremy McCreary