Topic: harvard table foosball bearing replacement advice needed

[sbsmithjax]

Greetings,
  I was given a mid-grade Harvard foosball table, and I suspect the bearing need to be replaced. I’d like to put in some real bearings.   I’ve never owned a foosball table, and am wondering how I know what bearings to purchase.  Can you give guidance, and/or can someone send me a link right to the product I need. 

Many thanks,
Stephen
Cary, NC

[Tyler Foos]

Stephen,

First of all, welcome to the forum!

As for your table, I think your best bet is to post a picture or 2 and let the pros here see which model you have. Harvard probably could supply you with replacement bearings identical to what you have, but if you're looking to upgrade to a better bearing seeing the table would be a good start. You also might be able to contact Harvard (either directly or through a sales rep) and see if they have a 'better' bearing that would fit that table.

Tyler

[sbsmithjax]

Thanks for the advice.  I'm posting some pics here.  I see no model number markings on this Harvard table, but here are some pics:

HERE IS A TABLE VIEW:




HERE ARE WHAT THE CURRENT OLD BEARINGS LOOK LIKE:




HERE IS ONE THAT WAS REPLACED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER:

[sbsmithjax]

OK, I've now removed one of the bearings to measure, and find the whole diameter to be 1"  and the rod diameter to be 5/8".   Where can I find good bearings to fit?

Many thanks,
Stephen
Cary, NC

[PatRyan]

Stephen,

Whether or not you could "upgrade" the bearings would probably depend on the thickness if the sidewalls.  I would check the wall thickness, then get in touch with the good people at FOOSBALL.COM (the generous hosts of this forum).  They sell some snap-in bearings made for mid/low end Tornado brand tables that may work for your table, depending on the wall thickness.  If not foosball.com also sells what looks like replaement bearings that will fit your table.

And if you do order from foosball.com, I would get a little bottle of fooslube as well.  Based on the pictures, I would clean the rods with some windex, dry them, and put a little fooslube on them.  The table will feel ALOT faster, and play much better with slick, fast moving rods!

Good luck, and feel free to ask if you encounter any other issues!

Edit: to actually answer some of your questions

Both of the bearings that I am refering to above are not REALLY bearings, but technically bushings.  The Tornado bushings ar the 1" snap-in bushing/bearings, the other ones are like the replacements installed by the previous owner.

here is the link to the 1" Tornado Snap bearing
http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/fts-110-040.html

here is the link to the generic replacement bearing
http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/bushing-ts.html   (Bushing)
http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/chfapl.html  (face plate)

the screws can be purchased at your local hardware store.

here is the link to the fooslube
http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/fooslube.html

[sbsmithjax]

Pat,
  Thanks, the table  wall is 1" thick.   

I had been looking at these 1" tornado snapins   http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/fts-110-040.html    But am wondering if for the non-pro, if the are any better then the standard replacements.?

Thanks,
Stephen
Cary, NC

[PatRyan]

That I am not sure about.  but installing the new bearings will be alot easier with the snapin type. 

Cost wise, I think the snapins are what?...4 dollars each.  and the replacement bearings and face plates are 2.75 PLUS the 3 screws, 3 locknuts, and the additional time to install them.  so it is probably about the same, or maybe a little less for the Tornado bearing, in the long run. 

but it is not a cheap proposition either way.  You are looking at about 64 bucks plus shipping. 

[juliew9855]

Pat,
  Thanks, the table  wall is 1" thick.   

I had been looking at these 1" tornado snapins   http://foosdirect-store.stores.yahoo.net/fts-110-040.html    But am wondering if for the non-pro, if the are any better then the standard replacements.?

Thanks,
Stephen
Cary, NC

Such a very amazing link!
Thanks you for the post.


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[xiaoxian]

OK, I've now removed one of the bearings to measure, and find the whole diameter to be 1"  and the rod diameter to be 5/8".   Where can I find good bearings to fit?