[kbrowncny]

Thank you Paul for the technical input. I also appreciate the prompt response from your team. It would be great to see the bearing spec ratings on the VexPro website, similar to how other suppliers provide a rating and similar to how you provide full disclosure on your other products (ie 775Pro).

This gives us confidence this year to continue using the product without modification to our design. We just started using thunder hex this year for intake rollers, drive train and shooter. The high RPM application was our only concern.

You mentioned getting the fit right is important when you turn down hex stock to use thunder hex bearings (13.775mm round). When using the thunder hex stock are there any tips and tricks to get the right diametrical clearance, understanding the oversizing from the manufacturer? When working on the lathe and a 3 jaw chuck we had to try a few times and experiment to get the fit a "slight press fit". As soon as the tool started removing material from the part was too much to get a press fit. We also tried a live center to keep it straight. It took a couple times and some scrap material to finally get it right. When we were able to turn down the shaft to achieve the correct fit the cuts were still inconsistent. This may have to do with the lack of eccentricity of the part vice thunder hex stock, I'm not sure how to get it perfect. It is unfortunate that the thunder hex stock still requires precision machining to get the "slight press fit". This burned a lot of our manufacturing time this year.

Is this something VexPro is looking to change in the future?

Thanks again for your help!