Quote:
Originally Posted by sneakyimp
[b] The bearings I bought at Grainger (which appear to be sealed) seem pretty stiff and the inner diameter is too small to fit the 1/2" steel tube I bought.
I'll also be looking for shafting that will actually fit into the tolerances I get from grainger. Is it safe to assume their 1/2" shafts will fit into their 1/2" bearings or do manufacturers expect customers to machine these parts after purchase?
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You will find that plain steel or aluminum rod or tubing will not fit in a bearing of the same nominal size, such as "1/2 inch." Bearing bores are made to very close tolerance, and plain rod or tubing is not, and is usually slightly oversize or out-of-round. If you are only inserting the rod into the bearing a short distance, you can sometimes grind or sand down the diameter until it fits. Not pretty. To get a shaft that fits the bearings you will need true "shafting". It is made to close tolerance and is slightly undersize. If you buy stock called "shafting", "machine shafting", "ground shaft" or "precision shaft", it should fit your bearing. Grainger should have some, it will cost more than rod or tubing.