AWGB Woodturning Forum

General Category => Tool tips & reviews => Topic started by: jonas on October 07, 2020, 02:25:02 AM

Title: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: jonas on October 07, 2020, 02:25:02 AM

Can anyone help with the bearing sizes for union graduate headstock.
Any advice on make/quality/supplier would be appreciated

Kind regards

Jonas

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: Bill21 on October 07, 2020, 11:32:23 AM

I can’t help with size but once you know, any good bearing supplier normally has a choice of premium or budget bearings in any given size. Bearing a Boys or Simply Bearings are a couple of suppliers that come to mind but worth shopping around. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Edit: There is a manual available but it’s not cheap and may not even have the information you need?

https://store.lathes.co.uk/print/mhw1

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: otterbank on October 07, 2020, 02:08:26 PM

I think SKF 6208 and SKF 6010 are used. This is from the FB group. You could ask to join there is a lot of useful info on it regards bearings and parts list etc.
Cheers
Michael

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: John D Smith on October 07, 2020, 09:28:39 PM

Hi Jonas,
            Now you have the Bearing Numbers you could try this Company I have used them and the service is fantastic

 Wych Bearings phone 01527 313575 www.wychbearings.co.uk

                                  Regards John

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: jonas on October 08, 2020, 01:44:53 AM

Thank you all for your help & advice.

Just placed an order with BEARING SHOP for 2 skf bearings & an A66 V belt for a total price of £29 inc. postage. I'm very pleased with that.
The hard bit starts on Monday.

  Kind regards   Jonas           

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: Bryan Milham on October 09, 2020, 08:11:37 PM

Jonas,

I have a very old manual for the Graduate that shows the beartings to be

Headstock Front - LJ40 - R&M Imperial Deep Groove - 40x80x18mm
Headstock Rear - XXLJ50 - R&M Imperial Deep Groove - 50x80x16mm

Whether you Graduate is old enough to have these bearings, or if the 2 identifed above are the modern numbers for these bearings I don't know, so I've posted this information - just in case.

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: julcle on October 09, 2020, 08:56:38 PM

Hi Jonus,  I can send you a PDF copy of the Graduate manual if you don't already have one, I think it gives the directions for replacing the bearings as they are regarded as user replacable.  --  Julian

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: jonas on October 09, 2020, 10:07:49 PM

I tried to cross ref. the numbers you gave me without success but i am sure the ones ordered will do the job as the dimensions are the same. My lathe is not "very old" (1963) & before anyone asks, I have not had it from new.
Thanks for responding.

And Julian, thank you for the offer, but I have already downloaded the instructions so I am ready to roll up my sleeves.

Kind regards

Jonas

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: Roger Groom on October 11, 2020, 10:04:56 PM

I would imagine that the ref not given by dragonfly were for the ball bearing type which were lubricated using the turn cap on the headstock. At £29 for 2 bearings and and a belt I would think they are sealed for life bearings and are they up to the job?
Roger Groom

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: The Bowler Hatted Turner on October 11, 2020, 10:25:46 PM

Jonas you will probably find it is fairly easy to remove the spindle, the hard bit is removing the bearings from it. Make sure when the bearings go back on that they are seated correctly.Need any help feel free to contact me.

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: Bill21 on October 12, 2020, 11:56:24 AM

Not ideal perhaps but I’ve seen folks remove stuck bearings by carefully cutting the inner race with a thin cutting disc. 

Title: Re: Union Graduate Bearings
Post by: jonas on October 15, 2020, 02:17:25 AM

Job done!

I fitted my premium SKF deep groove bearings yesterday.
No major problems but I did have some assistance from the "freezer" & an ALDI heat gun.

Thanks Guys for all your help.

Regards Jonas