Bearing Question

[Karl Ziegler]

I have a Jet mini lathe and have had it for a little over a year. I noticed after drilling out a pepper mill that the back bearing clicked as it rotated. it eventually stopped, but it did make me wonder how one can tell if the bearings are going out, and might need to be replaced.

Generally, the lathe runs quiet, except for the occasional clicking. The shaft is tight and has no play in it. What can anyone tell me.

 

[Wilford Bickel]

Karl,

When you hear the clicking sound can you feel any difference in the heat building up in this bearing vs the bearing in the front. Usually when a bearing is going out it will start to build up heat. I would be suspicious that you have a bearing shifting on it's races either on the shaft or in the housing with pressure such as drilling. It is probably reseating itself after the pressure is off. I have seen this on farm equipment and had to take a center punch and put a few punch marks on the seats (not the bearing) to tighten up the seat. This will probably not be needed on your unit unless it gets much worse. Next time it happens see if you can spot the inner or outer ring of the bearing slipping/turning instead of staying still.

Wilford