Blades from bearings

Lapp_Dance

Lapp_Dance

Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
1,046
Figured this would be the best place to ask. I have 2 very large spherical bearings from a machine shop I used to work at. They weight about 70 pounds each, are about 15 inches in diameter (for the outer portion) and each roller is about 1 to 1.5 pounds worth of steel in a cylindrical shape. I have no clue what steel they are made from. There is a brass roller cage separating each roller inside the bearing.

Is this something one of you knife knuts would be interested in? I can take photos when I get home. I took the bearings home as a memento (they were custom ordered for a job, and were the wrong size - unreturnable from the manufacturer), but now they're just cluttering up my bench.

If you think you might be interested in trying to make something from these, shoot me an email. You can have them for free, with the exception of paying for the shipping at your own expense. (Like I said, they are heavy.) If you wanna cut me a deal on a blade made from a bearing, well, I wouldn't complain. ;)

Mods, I hope I'm not in the wrong to post this here.
 
Photos would be good. Do you know Scott Ickes (scottickes)? I don't know if he frequents the forum anymore. He's knows a heck of a lot about bearings and he might be able to ID them for you. Not sure about custom designed and made bearing though.
 
Man if I were local I'd take you up on at least one just to have one, those are sickly huge.

Generally bearings have a hardened steel everything so they could make a good knife, actually forging them may be another story.
 
I'd second the motion to get in touch with Scott Ickes. If you can give him the numbers off of the bearings, he can probably tell you what they're made of. He's a rep. for Timken Bearing :)

I'd love 'em, but the reality of me having the time to do anything with them is slim, so I'l pass this time.

-d
 
You would need to contact Scott with the Maker and number. While it may be of the 52100 series it may also be a case hardened alloy which wouldn't be much use.
 
I have been looking for bearings like that for a long time :D, i forge so the size is not a problem. i would gladley and very happley take them off your hands. we could work out a deal on a knife as a trade.
 
I have a bunch of rollers of 52100 that I bought a while back from a forum member that will eventually make great knives. However, I also have received several rollers that were case hardened steel from well-meaning friends that make heavy paper weights.

IF it is 52100, it's a great find. If it is case hardened, it's a neat momento. Scott can really help you more if he's around. Get the information off the bearing and pm him.

--nathan
 
A custom bearing that large must cost a ton, especially if its made out of a high quality bearing steel (like 52100 or some of the chro-molys). If it is 52100, you're a lucky guy.
 
White Rabbit said:
A custom bearing that large must cost a ton, especially if its made out of a high quality bearing steel (like 52100 or some of the chro-molys). If it is 52100, you're a lucky guy.
Click to expand...

I didn't pay for them, the company I worked for did, and if memory serves me correctly, they were about $12,000 for the pair since they were a custom size on a short order. Once finding out that they didn't fit, the maker didn't want them back, and they were destined for the scrap bin. Photos will be up shortly.

JT, let's find out if they're worth it for a blademaker to deal with, and we'll work it all out. I don't want to stick you with something you can't use.
 
Last edited:
DSC_3400.jpg


DSC_3406.jpg


My new to me Koster Survivor and a tape for size. I was a bit off on my dimensions in the first post.
DSC_3409.jpg


DSC_3410.jpg
 
I have used similar and inevitably they are 52100. The rollers make great centers for San Mai billets and the casing is awesome for bowie knives. I live in SA so I can't take them. I would.
 
Samurai Stu said:
I have used similar and inevitably they are 52100. The rollers make great centers for San Mai billets and the casing is awesome for bowie knives. I live in SA so I can't take them. I would.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a step in the right direction at least for identification purposes. I have sent Scott Ickles a visitor message as well with a link to this thread.

We used to use oxyacetylene torches to cut these off the shafts they were mounted on; everything was a press fit, anywhere from .001" to upwards of .004-.005". I've got some rollers around here somewhere from other bearings that I've cut apart, I should try to find them.

So if these turn out to be the right stuff, I take it you would need to heat them back up and un-harden them from their bearing hardness? I've seen cracked rollers a bunch of times, so I know they are super hard and brittle.
 
O man now i really want them. i am friends with the guy at work that runs the wire EDM and he told me he could slice them up for me. I would be willing to bet that there not Just case hardened. i wonder if thy would fit in a flat rate box? I will just heat them up in the forge and forge a blade.
 
JTknives said:
O man now i really want them. i am friends with the guy at work that runs the wire EDM and he told me he could slice them up for me. I would be willing to bet that there not Just case hardened. i wonder if thy would fit in a flat rate box? I will just heat them up in the forge and forge a blade.
Click to expand...

:D flat rate box.....LOL! I think they would say the box has to be lifted and not have the bottom end tear out of it! The physical size was off in the first post, but I still think they weigh between 60 and 70 pounds each, which might put them into a small freight category.

EDIT: USPS flat rate boxes are too small, they only go up to 12 inches, and the bearings are 12.5 in diameter... According to USPS website, it's $60 each to ship to Provo, UT. UPS Ground is $64, both rates based on a 70 pound package.
 
Last edited:
Lapp_Dance said:
:D flat rate box.....LOL! I think they would say the box has to be lifted and not have the bottom end tear out of it! The physical size was off in the first post, but I still think they weigh between 60 and 70 pounds each, which might put them into a small freight category.
Click to expand...

you can actually put up to 70 pounds in a flat rate box, at least thats what thy say ;). man I'm all gitty with excitement:D
 
I just looked up the model number on the skf website and thy say thy weigh 39.5 kg = 87.07 pounds each :D
 
JTknives said:
you can actually put up to 70 pounds in a flat rate box, at least thats what thy say ;). man I'm all gitty with excitement:D
Click to expand...

but the USPS flat rate boxes are too small, by .5 inches on each side (of the box). I'm not looking to screw anyone over on the shipping cost, as I'm not making any money in this venture, so let me know if I missed something.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top