Hi all. I picked up an old Millers Falls arbor at a flea market. It has a
1/2" shaft with bronze bearings. The bearings are scored, and the shaft has
a bit of wear. After cleaning, and using some lithium grease (it has oil
caps) on the thing, I can barely feel play while wiggling each end. I plan
on using 8" buffing wheels at 1750 RPM if I can........

Does this old unit lend itself to changing out the bushings? Any idea where
to get them? I would also change them out for some sealed bearings if they
make them this small, and having another shaft turned.......before I get too
much $ involved ($5, so far),
any opinions if this is worth doing? Can I use it as is? TIA

Michael

The bearings should be available thru most bearing suppliers. Buffing
probably wouldn't require the utmost in precision fit at that speed.
I wouldn't hesitate to use it as is to see if any problems arise..
overheating bearings or chatter.

If you really lean into the buffing wheels, you might decide that a larger
shaft size in a more heavy duty unit would be more appropriate

WB
.............

"Michael" wrote in message
...
Hi all. I picked up an old Millers Falls arbor at a flea market. It has a
1/2" shaft with bronze bearings. The bearings are scored, and the shaft
has
a bit of wear. After cleaning, and using some lithium grease (it has oil
caps) on the thing, I can barely feel play while wiggling each end. I plan
on using 8" buffing wheels at 1750 RPM if I can........

Does this old unit lend itself to changing out the bushings? Any idea
where
to get them? I would also change them out for some sealed bearings if they
make them this small, and having another shaft turned.......before I get
too
much $ involved ($5, so far),
any opinions if this is worth doing? Can I use it as is? TIA

Michael






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If the bushings are standard diameter, you can get them at any bearing
supply house. They are cheap. If you replace the shaft, it must be
hardened and polished at the bearing journals if you want decent life. It
had oil-cups because that's what you use with sintered bushings, not grease.
You can certainly use it like it is. Just run it until it rattles and then
take it back to the flea market.

Randy


"Michael" wrote in message
...
Hi all. I picked up an old Millers Falls arbor at a flea market. It has a
1/2" shaft with bronze bearings. The bearings are scored, and the shaft
has
a bit of wear. After cleaning, and using some lithium grease (it has oil
caps) on the thing, I can barely feel play while wiggling each end. I plan
on using 8" buffing wheels at 1750 RPM if I can........

Does this old unit lend itself to changing out the bushings? Any idea
where
to get them? I would also change them out for some sealed bearings if they
make them this small, and having another shaft turned.......before I get
too
much $ involved ($5, so far),
any opinions if this is worth doing? Can I use it as is? TIA

Michael

Michael wrote:
Hi all. I picked up an old Millers Falls arbor at a flea market. It has a
1/2" shaft with bronze bearings. The bearings are scored, and the shaft has
a bit of wear. After cleaning, and using some lithium grease (it has oil
caps) on the thing, I can barely feel play while wiggling each end. I plan
on using 8" buffing wheels at 1750 RPM if I can........

Does this old unit lend itself to changing out the bushings? Any idea where
to get them? I would also change them out for some sealed bearings if they
make them this small, and having another shaft turned.......before I get too
much $ involved ($5, so far),
any opinions if this is worth doing? Can I use it as is? TIA

Michael



I had an old Millers Falls arbor I used for a long time. As I remember it
it made noise when I ran it at speed although the bushings (oilite bronze
bearings) were fine. It was excess end play that was doing it. I made up
some shims and disassembled (fiddly) and put it back together with the
shims and it worked great.

I would never switch out the bushing-type bearings for sealed roller bearings.
Bad idea.

GWE

Grant Erwin wrote in message
...
I would never switch out the bushing-type bearings for sealed roller
bearings.
Bad idea.


Thanks Grant, mine has a bit of end play too, I can fix it with a brass
shim, I think.....for the record, though, why wouldn't you change them out
for sealed bearing if you could? I also got one (a Wissato), with sealed
bearings, that should work ok after cleaning......I like the Millers Falls
one a lot........It's heavy, nice clearance, with a machined steel pulley.
hardened nuts, too. Can you buy an equivalent nowadays?

Michael wrote:
Grant Erwin wrote in message
...

I would never switch out the bushing-type bearings for sealed roller

bearings.

Bad idea.



Sleeve bearings run quieter than roller bearings, that's why. I like
machines to run as much as possible silently and with zero vibration.
BTW I would not change the bearings unless you have some reason to
believe you need to. I have done this tool game since the early '80s
and I used to routinely strip all machines to the bare castings, replace
all bearings and fasteners, and repaint 100%. Now I never strip tightly
bonded paint -- rather, I use it as primer -- and I don't replace bearings
that don't need them, and I don't spend a ton of money on pretty stainless
fasteners just for looks. It's a lot of fun but heck what you're messing
with here is basically the equivalent of a bench grinder. I bet before you're
done you'll restore a few lathes, mills, surface grinders, tool & cutter
grinders, workbenches, build welding carts, gas forges & ovens -- there's
really no end, you see, so why linger on a simple arbor? Get a motor, rig
it up (I had mine set up so the weight of the motor tensioned the V-belt)
and start using it.

GWE

Thanks Grant, mine has a bit of end play too, I can fix it with a brass
shim, I think.....for the record, though, why wouldn't you change them out
for sealed bearing if you could? I also got one (a Wissato), with sealed
bearings, that should work ok after cleaning......I like the Millers Falls
one a lot........It's heavy, nice clearance, with a machined steel pulley.
hardened nuts, too. Can you buy an equivalent nowadays?