Any market for ball bearings?

B

blackboogers

Joined
Jan 16, 2002
Messages
219
I work in a pump repair facility and I throw away hundreds of ball bearings (timkin/skf/fag,etc).The size range is any where from 4" o.d. to 10"o.d. the majority being on the smaller end. I know I have a goldmine when I build my forge (or at least I believe so). If there is a market I can torch cut the bearing and possibly strighten for the most part. Does anyone do this? I know the steel would be great for knives as long as I identify the case hardend ones or the 440C. Anyhoo if anyone knows anything please let me know. Thanks.
 
blackboogers I am curently useing old ball bearings for knife blades, but when my curent stash runs out I will be buying bar stock. Down here large ball bearings are hard to come by and I have to check each one to makesure they arnt' case hardened, and the heat treat is often a little difernt on each one.

Save you up a couple of bucket fulls though, you cand use the balls, rollers and races for makeing damascus.

A quick way to tell if you have stainles is to clean the grease off a spot, then put a drop of cold blue on it. If it stays silver you probly got stainless.

Hope this helps,

William
 
You can test a ball or roller by grinding a flat spot. Etch with ferric chloride and if you see a dark spot where ground off you may have 52100. If it sparks you may have 52100. If you get a large bearing in, call the outfit who made it and they can tell you what it is. When you find some good material, keep it identified as to its origon and you should have clear sailing. Once youi know you have 52100, grind it and carefully watch the sparks, pay close attention to the spart as it branches out, as well as the color. With a lot of practice on known materials these observations will become more meaningful to you. After some practice time on the used bearings, locate some virgin stock and enjoy.
 
My ID name came from when I didnt use a mask when I grinded.I thought it was unique. Im sure we have all been there.
 
I bet those ball bearings would come in handy if you had a slingshot...

--Matt
 
doesnt timkin make ball bearings out of BG 42? I think it says that on their site. Latrobe is a subsidiary of Timkin.
 
If you can positively identify some as 52100 I would be interested in purchasing some. Let me know either way at <seoulbjj@hotmail.com>.

Thanks,

John
 
BB,

If you happen to get a hundred balls that measure in the 3/8 to half inch range i woul be willing to pay postage and give you something for your time. you don't need to take the bearings apart just send them as they are.
 
As to the material type all I can find out if it is not case hardend or a stainless type material by an acid test. As to the ball bearings I already have saved up around 50 or so bearings. Ive saved up to this point about 100 pounds of various sized bearings. If you are for sure you want the material email me at hvreeland@pumppros.com I can have the material sent ups to your location. Please no cash involved just barter. I mostly want knife making materials (woods,hilt materials etc).Thanks.
 
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