The Best Bearings

Bearings are an essential component of many machines, including vehicles and gadgets that you may use on a daily basis. Designed to assist the rotational movements of an object, a bearing provides support to the shaft that is supposed to rotate. Bearings are used in everything from planes to cars to generators to refrigerators. Anything that rotates, such as a wheel, gear, turbine or rotor requires a bearing to help it do so smoothly.

Bearings have two main functions in any machine. First, they are needed to make the rotational movement smooth. When two machine parts are next to one another, friction is bound to happen. The small rotating balls within a bearing allow for a smoother rotation, which consumes less energy, improving efficiency.

Second, the bearing provides protection to the machine part that supports the rotation in addition to ensuring it remains in the correct position. Typically, a great amount of force is required to rotate a part, so bearings ensure the shaft is protected and that everything remains stable during movement. Bearings enable machines to be used many times without breaking or seizing up.

When buying bearings, the most important thing to consider is getting the right size. You will need to check which size you need based on the machine you’re working on and the part where the bearing will go. Some sizes are more common and easy to find than others, such as 608, while others are more rare and may take a bit more effort to find, such as 627 or 688. Those may require looking at a specialty store.

• The purpose of a bearing is to reduce friction for the rotating object. As a result, the materials it is made from play an important roll and ensuring the rotation is smooth. Most bearings are made from steel alloys, which are budget-friendly and sturdy. Bearings that are made from bronze, ceramic or titanium are good options because these materials are durable and resilient, which will lead to better performance.
• Depending on how you’re using a bearing, such as on roller skates, the number of balls within the bearing matters. Skate bearings, for example, have seven balls, which are required for durability, balance, acceleration and speed. Bearings that have six balls are better for skating at high speeds while bearings with eight balls are better for aggressive turning. There is no right or wrong number for the amount of balls — it all depends on the intended use and purpose of the bearing.
• If you want the option to clean and re-lubricate the bearings, look for serviceable ones which have removable shields or plastic retainers. This enables you to extend the life of the bearing and provides optimal roll performance. Bearings which are sealed are not serviceable because the shields are not removable.
• Bearings are available in varying quantities, such as packs of eight, 10 or 16. Plan out how many you will need before you purchase. If you will have extra bearings left over, be sure to store them in a labeled container so you can find them again easily for when you need them. Note the size and quantity on the label.