Heating Bearings

[jared in wi]

Looking for suggestions on heating bearings. In the past I have used both a bearing heater and a deep fat fryer filled with vegetable oil. I"m not a fan of the deep fat fryer with oil due the fact that hot oil can be bad if you get any on you. (BTDT)

Last place I worked at had a nice bearing heater, and I liked that a lot better than the deep fat fryer. The bearings stay cleaner this way as well.

One thing I was looking at was a little counter top toaster oven. What have you guys used to heat bearings??

Jared

 

[Cliff Nelson]

I use an electric frying pan with oil. The price was right as the wife got a new one and was throwing it out.

 

[ShadetreeRet]

If the toaster oven gets hot enough, seems that would be the way to go, as you say, oil is messy. Or if you have room, an old electric oven would get things plenty hot.

 

[Cumminsdeere]

I just use the fryin pan with about an inch of oil in it

 

[the tractor vet]

I use and old deep fryer it is big enough that i can put two five and half inch pistons in it if needed and i use Hy Tran in it .

 

[MarkB_MI]

How about your propane barbeque grill?

 

[NCWayne]

It depends on the situation. If it's a smaller bearing I typically use a old hot plate, and just lay the bearing on the heating coil. In the field, and with BIG bearings, I simply lay the bearing close to where it has to go (so I don't have to handle it too long and chance it getting cold), and heat it with a torch. Dad's been doing it this way since he worked at the dealerships back in the 70's and I've done it for well over 20 years myself. Neither of us has ever had one of the bearings we put on this way fail.

Recently I acquired a heating plate out of a machine that is used to join plastic pipe. It's a solid aluminum plate, with heating coils inside, and a build in thermometer. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I'm thinking it will work better than the old hot plate

 

[danmcdonald]

Use the oven on bigger bearings when the wife is not home. For small ones I use the light bulb on the drop light.

 

[UncleTom]

I have used a magnetic engine block heater. Just stick the bearing on to the heater and it will get hot.

 

[Mike M]

I have used a heat lamp bulb like the ones used to keep chicks warm. Either set it on the bearing or hang it real close.

 

[pburg]

Question:: What's the reason/purpose of heating bearings? And don't you run the risk of ruining the grease seal in doing this? Haven't heard of doing this.

 

[Tramway Guy]

Heating bearings makes it easier to drop onto a shaft by expanding the bearing; instead of driving or pressing it on.

 

[The Dukester]

If the bearing is sealed or shielded don't heat it at all, you're apt to mess up the lubricant and maybe the seal material too. open bearings use sme of the oil that will be lubricatibg the bearing in a clean open top can and heat it with a heat gun or soft flame torch to around 175-200 degrees and immerse the bearing on wire like coat hanger in the oil for about 30 seconds then install it. I used to do spindle bearings and atomizer bearing class 7 types this way.....and cleanliness is next to Godliness always.

 

[Super-H-Mike]

I use an old electric fry pan set on full hot, I just put the bearing on dry with no oils .

 

[BANDITFARMER]

I use an old hot plate and a small skillet with a lid to heat them up. Were I us to work we had an Alcoa capper (bottling line) that needed an overhaul and new main shaft bearings. The main shaft had 2 6 inch inside bore bearings that had to be but on. Alcoa said the bearings were $1600 each and did not recommend we try to put them in and would send a service man down to put them in for us at no charge.

He showed up with 2 dozen bearings 2 huge coolers full of dry ice and a small over to heat the bearings. We had the main shaft hanging on a fork lift with the bottom in the dry ice while the bearing was in the oven. You have one shot to get them on right and if you don't you have to bust the bearing off and start all over. It took 8 tries on the top one to get it right and 4 on the bottom, He was there 2 day and 4 of us working with him to get it done. Alcoa only charged them for 2 bearings and nothing else. I was 19 at the time and this was the first time to see how heating and cooling worked together in this way. I learned a lot working for that company and it was better than going to school. Bandit

 

[Russ from MN]

In the paper mill I retired from we used electric induction heaters for the small ones and we had a big oven for the larger ones, big enough to drive a fork lift into. The important things are don't heat them over 300F and don't magnetize them.

 

[Craig45]

I put the bearing in the oven and the shaft in the freezer.

 

[RodinNS]

Everyone's so technical. All I've ever used is a torch. Hold it back far enough that the bearing/seals don't get damaged. Big and small; it works on them all.

Rod

 

[pete 23]

I use a toaster over also. Works good.

 

[Pete Hall]

Russ ,I too retired as a millwright from a papermill,
For every 1 inch of dia. of inner race x every 100 degrees you gain .001 expansion.
We did go to 350 degrees on certain tough bearings,never over 350 degrees.I still stuck a few in my career,not a good feeling

 

[Chris(WA)]

We use toaster ovens so we can control the temperature. You do not want to get most bearings over 350* as it damages the heat treating. Pretty hard to control with a torch.
I have also seen folks sit the bearing on a 100 watt light bulb to heat them. No temp control there either but a slower heat and worked darn well.

 

[chuck machinist]

The dukester is right. Clean clean, and make sure things are clean! Use a small amount of antisieze on the shaft. Check your shafts for burrs. Good Luck!

 

[bill mart]

why are pistons heated? wrist pin installs? bill

 

[guido]

Hello Bill Mart,

YEAP! Get the piston hot , pin slips right in.
Piston cools...........piston holds pin tight,

Guido.