Machining the inside dia. of a ball bearing .. How to?!

[igi2010]

How to machine the inside diameter of a ball bearing on a lathe??
knowing that clamping the outside diameter won't fix the workpiece (the outside race would be stationary and the other would rotate!!)
P.S. the solution is preferred not to include welding the inner race with the outer one.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I suppose you could:
- affix a piece of soft steel or aluminum to a faceplate.
- bore a cavity in it, with diameter=push fit on bearing and depth=bearing width.
- affix a cap over the bearing, said cap comprising a plate with a hole just larger than the bearing bore.
- step the back face of said cap, or include a bearing spacer, such that the plate applies an axial force to the inner bearing race only.

Then you face the problem that the bearing steel is super-hard. I think carbide tools can shave off white hot chips (look up 'hard turning'), but you may have trouble applying enough force to the clamping kluge to keep the inner race from moving. You might want to use a die grinder on the carriage instead of a cutting tool.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Compositepro]

Make a fixture that allows you to clamp the bearing to a faceplate. Basically, you are clamping the bearing between two plates with holes to allow access to the ID. It would be a really good idea to use a tool post mounted grinder rather than a boring bar.

 

[romke]

just out of curiosity: why on earth do you want to machine parts of the bearing anyway?