<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2>In a message dated 13/02/03 20:04:49 GMT Standard Time, djb122@y... writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">One of the towers which I look after has got 4 of the bells hung on<BR>
light-duty ball bearings with open sided housings. The bells are of course<BR>
quite light (tenor 5 cwt). Can anyone tell me what the life expectancy of<BR>
this type of bearing is? They're not showing any signs of trouble at the<BR>
moment, but they don't really look very long-lasting and I don't want any<BR>
unexpected problems!<BR>
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The self lube pillow block housings, most often used with light bells (and indeed some heavy ones - Cheddar until recently) are easily replaceable dueto their simple method of fixing and small cost compared with the SKF Split housing type of bearing. <BR>
The method of fixing can vary from small grub screws to tapered sleves or an offset O type ring on the outside.<BR>
<BR>
For example, we recently bought the following 25mm bore bearings from a local stockist:<BR>
<BR>
RHP self lube with cast iron housings £14.85 + VAT (Complete Unit)<BR>
Koyo copies (which we have used for swing chime and very light bells) £6.32 + VAT (Complete Unit). <BR>
SKF Split housing with self aligning ball bearings £47.00 + VAT.<BR>
<BR>
The 4cwt 6 at Westwood (1981 WBF) are fitted with similar bearings and are still going very well indeed. St Edmunds Arts Centre, Salisbury (tenor & 7th) appear to be going well on their 50mm self lube units.<BR>
<BR>
Matthew</FONT></HTML>