Topic: Split bearings and my dremel

[nogravity]

I've heard of the guy that runs my tournament talk about smoothing out the split bearings with a dremel.. I need to do this cause my bearings are making a scrapping sound when I pull the rod back.. What tool should i use to smooth them out I really don't want to make them worse and or buy new ones

[EDGEER]

You can refurb your old bearings and they will be slicker than snot on a marble floor!  Here is how you do it:

1. Buy some 400 and 800 grit wet dry sand paper. 
2. Cut it up in 2" x 5 1/2" strips.
3. Wash your bearings in some strong detergent in hotwater.  Use a brush to remove all the gunk in the grove.
4. With one hand pinch the sandpapper arround the end off a rod where the rough surface is facing outward.  With the other hand sand the inside of the bearing until you get most of the surface scratches out.   Sand with the 400 grit first then finish with the 800 grit.
5. Buy some buffing wheels and arbor for your Dremel.
6. Go to Lowes and buy some plastic polishing compound that comes in a cardboard tube.
7. With the Dremel on about half speed apply the compound to the buffing wheel and polish the inside of the split bearing flange.  You will see the scratches slowly disappear. 
8. Be extremely carefule not to to press to hard or run the Dremel to fast or you will blister your bearings!
9. Wash the bearings again in detergent and hot water to remove polishing dust.
10. Let dry and reassemble.

The rods will have just a little slop in them so tighten them real good.  You will notice when sanding, every bearing has the same defect on the bearing ridge.  Do not try to sand it completly out, there is no need to.

I will post some pics later.

good luck

Defect in every bearing


Bearing before sanding


Dremel with Buffing wheel and Polishing compound.


Un-Sanded / Sanded to 1200 Grit / Polished


My table

[alaskan thunder]

If you just bought your table new, give it a week or so before you go getting all crazy. I bought a new coin-op 2 years ago and for the first few days the bearings were gritty. Just play on it for a while and they will get better.

[chance37]

a lil silicone couldnt hurt

[Daniel]

I just tried this on mine table and it worked very nice.

[EDGEER]

I am glad this worked for you.  Isn't it amazing how slick it makes the rods?  Now you need to go buy a piece of vinyl to cover your table.  I have a piece that is about 60" square that I cover mine with.  Your table will play great for a year straight if you will just keep it covered when your not using it.  Dust and lint are hell on bearings.

[nogravity]

so after doing all this.. i put my table back together and i set up to do a pull shot  and realize that there are dead spots on the playing field and it is warped.. so i let it go to one of my friends and now on the hunt for a new table..