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1969 Delta 46-111 Headstock Bearings

Joined
Mar 15, 2023
Messages
96
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Location
Cherry Hill, NJ
There is a difference between post and pre-1972 headstock bearings for the old Delta 46-111. Does anyone know where I can buy the SP-5339 equivalent bearings? I picked up a 1969 generation unit to dedicate to my Beall buffing system.
 
I found this information at Mikes Tool online. It mentions that I need the “extended-race” version of the bearing which was used on the earlier machine like mines rather than the post 1975 non-extended race. Is the 87505 an extended race version?
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The extended race bearings Delta-Rockwell used were usually New Departure. New Departure was owned or partnered with Rockwell-Delta so no surprise they used their bearings.

Be aware the OWWM site has a recommended source of replacement bearings. I found their source to be a total rip off and the sales lady is rude too. Motion Industries is my go-to source for bearings. They have 450 outlets nationwide and will do stock transfers to your local branch free of charge.

Sometimes you can get away with a spacer to account for the extended race. But that depends on the ability to make an accurate thickness spacer. If the application has adjustable bearing pre-load thickness is not an issue.
 
Is it correct that I should look for 87505 bearings that are Sealed and Permanently lubricated? Does a rubber seal on the extended race side and metal shielding on the other side yield permanent lubrication or do I need metal on both sides?
 
Rubber seal on both sides is best. Shielded will allow grease out/contaminants in, though inside a HS is not a tough environment - shielded is ok if that’s what you can get.
 
Sometimes you can get away with a spacer to account for the extended race. But that depends on the ability to make an accurate thickness spacer.
The detail most often overlooked when people think they can do this^^, is the fact that the non-extended side of an 875xx-series bearing isn't flush...it's recessed - a lot of folks don't realize this. It's best to use bearings consistent with the original design.

Tim
 
With older sealed bearings there were issues with friction heating because of the seals.

Don't just automatically replace a shielded bearing with a sealed bearing. Name brand sealed bearings now come with a max rpm rating. I don't know that I would buy a sealed bearing without knowing its rpm rating is well beyond my rpm needs.

In my experience very high rpm bearings are usually not sealed. Possibly because of the seal friction issue.
 
With older sealed bearings there were issues with friction heating because of the seals.

Don't just automatically replace a shielded bearing with a sealed bearing. Name brand sealed bearings now come with a max rpm rating. I don't know that I would buy a sealed bearing without knowing its rpm rating is well beyond my rpm needs.

In my experience very high rpm bearings are usually not sealed. Possibly because of the seal friction issue.
There is some truth to this, particularly with decades old bearings - less so with current mfr of them. There are now several types of sealed bearings. This link explains differences. Speed ratings can be looked up.

 
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