Bearing experts RE Powermatic 141

[Alex Shanku]

Guys,

I have a powermatic 141 14" bandsaw. My question is this:

The lower wheel is connected to a shaft/axle that runs through a cast iron housing. Two bearing are used here. The bearings I bought to replace them, per OWWM's chart, were 6204's I think.

Anyway, as these photos will show, the old bearings had a machined groove in them in which a snap ring was located. This prevented lateral movement of the bearing within the housing.

The new bearings lack this, and as you can see from the photo, they have worked into the housing.

Keep in mind the 6204 bearings fit the housing and shaft perfectly, but they dont have the ring.

Does anyone know anything about this? Perhaps where to get the proper bearings? It appears the top and bottom sets of bearings are the same (including snap ring)

Thanks,

Alex

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_3503.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_3504.JPG

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_3505.JPG

[Kyle Kraft]

Alex,
You might try calling your local bearing supply house and talk to them about the snap ring groove. It may be a special order item and/or maybe another branch would have what you need.

I rebuilt a Flint & Walling Star 24 windmill with Timken tapered roller bearings and the old ones had a "keyway/notch" in the edge of the bore of the cone. They were available from Timken for about $100 each or I could buy the stock ones for $13 and grind in my own notch.

[Ben Martin]

Hmm, that looks like a version of a flange bearing that I have never seen before.

[Charles Seehuetter Panama City]

I recently rebuilt my PM 143 which is the same as the 141 except it has a transmission. I ordered my bearings from:

http://www.wbds.com/search.aspx

Go there and enter the number 203SZZG for the bearing you are looking for. The G means groove and it comes with the snap ring. I ordered 2 of them.

You may also want to order 200SZZ which are the rear blade guide bearings.

Here is a copy of part of my receipt.

203SZZG Ball Bearing MRC 2 each @ $12.24 = $24.48
200SZZ Ball Bearing MRC 2 each @ $9.01 = $18.02
SubTotal = $42.50
Tax = $3.54
S&H = $11.92
Total = $57.96

If you want to see pictures of my rebuild you can find some on OWWM or here: http://picasaweb.google.com/chuckinpc/ToolDealRebuild#

If you have other questions please ask. Hope this helps.

[Alex Shanku]

Awesome, thanks guys.

Charles, let me ask you something;

Are the upper and lower wheel bearings the same for your saw? Or not, as you have a transmission?

[Alex Shanku]

Ok, just ran out and tool a few measurements before I have to go to work.

The bottom bearings ARE 6204's (20mmx47x12) WITH a snap ring. I will try and order these.

The tops are a bit of a mystery. Now, my top bearings also have snap rings, but are NOT the size you listed. While they ARE a 40mm OD bearing, the ID is greater than the part you listed. It appears to be a 19x40x? (i didnt pull the shaft out to check the width) These, too, have snap rings. Also, the shaft itself has a snap ring to prevent the shaft from moving laterally.

[Alex Shanku]

Ok, another problem solved. The tops are 6203's, but with a 3/4" bore. These will need a snap ring too.

[Charles Seehuetter Panama City]

Ok, another problem solved. The tops are 6203's, but with a 3/4" bore. These will need a snap ring too.

Alex, looking at my manual and yours from OWWM, here if you don't have it:
http://www.owwm.com/mfgindex/pubdetail.aspx?id=888

Your lower bearings are MRC number 204SZZG

Mine were good so I didn't change them. Good luck with the rebuild. It's a great machine.

Chuck