Posted by Daniel on Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 0:20AM :
In Reply to: Opinions on rebuild, where to stop? posted by Rob Blair on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 3:11PM :
Personally, I think bearing technology hit it's high water mark in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Since then it's been downhill with the corporate buyouts and 'how can we do things cheaper' philosophy.
When I go to the REAL bearing shop (not Grainger), they try to sell me Brazilian and Chinese bearings.
Now I don't want to sound racist here, but our U.S. stuff in the 50s was better than that foreign stuff is, even now. Heck, I've even had German stuff fail prematurely since 1995 (could have been made in Bulgaria) in my machinery.
Anyways, you can tell I am disappointed in a very important industry that has, in my view, faded. I would take a 90K old U.S. bearing over a new Chinese one any day.
Someday their metallurgical and technological skills will reach the industrial paranoia of 50's U.S. quality, and it will be sweet. Until then, READ THE SIDES OF THE BEARINGS. A third world country is making them outa recycled bicycles and chewing gum--don't trust them.
BTW, I'm entitled to this rant--my grandfather was a first generation German who worked for the esteemed New England bearing works, New Departure, as a tooling engineer.
Regards, Daniel