Ball bearings...

[Ret.]

I have rather a nice screwdriver bit kit with a 'handle' that holds the bits in place via a ball-bearing under a spring clip. (Magnetic holders are much better!)

Working on my son's tumble drier recently, and trying to get at an awkwardly placed screw, the spring clip was pushed back, the ball bearing fell out - and cannot be found anywhere. (It's probably inside the machine somewhere!!)

As a result, the screwdriver bits will no longer remain in the handle - they just drop out when the handle is turned down.

I've searched through my various oddment boxes in my workshed and cannot find even one single ball bearing - let alone one of the right size to fit the bit holder.

Anyone got any ideas?

[Tim Lamb]

In message , Ret. writes

Try a bearing stockist. Loose balls should be available.

Alternatively what size do you need. Someone in here must have something suitable.

Pedant mode... can we refer to the complete bearing assembly as a *ball bearing*? You are needing a *steel ball*:-)

regards

>

[Ret.]

Difficult to judge as the only sample is missing!

Yes - you are, of course, 100% correct there!

[Ret.]

Having just measured the hole that the ball sits in, with my micrometer, I would judge that the ball size will be 4mm. This is slightly larger than the hole - but not so large that it wont protrude partly through the hole to create the pressure against the bits that holds them in place.

So, if anyone has 4mm balls - I would be pleased to hear from them!

[The Natural Philosopher]

So would the Guinness book of records.

be helpful.

[Ron Lowe]

3/16" is standard size used in bicycle wheel bearings. Bike shops sell them in bags of 20 or so.

That would be around 4.75mm Is that too big?

[Tim Lamb]

I can do you a few slightly rusty at 4mm and a couple at 4.7mm.

PM your address and I'll stick them in an envelope.

regards

>

[Tim Lamb]

In message , Tim Lamb writes

Can you try that again, Kev.

My inbox is showing a message but it does not appear in the file. I have tried re-building the mail file which assures me that all messages have been recovered but it is still not there!

regards

[Ret.]

Only just picked up this post Tim - so the message you are referring to is not from me!

I have now sent you a pm. Thanks for the offer.

[Ret.]

Difficult to say. Without the original to measure precisely with my micrometer, it's largely guesswork. Tim has a few of around the right size and he is going to send them to me - so I'll see how they go!

[Andrew Mawson]

Google 'Bearingboys' or 'Simply Bearings', they both carry them

AWEM

[Ret.]

Thanks for that. Tim has already promised to post me a couple of different sizes taken from an old bearing, so I'll see if they do the job first.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

IIRC, the complete thing is a ball race. Made from ball bearings.

[Tim Lamb]

In message , "Dave Plowman (News)" writes

Ball race is fine. Otherwise, check Wikipedia.

regards

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