[TowerTalk] Looking for a TB4 bearing - need not be pretty

[Patrick Greenlee]

Prime Bearing in L.A. at 213-375-4849  has good bearings at reasonable 
prices. All the hams in my zip-code have purchased bearings with grease 
zerks from them and are happy with quality and price.  Both of us are 
pleased and will buy from them again. The bearings we both bought are 
mounted in very stout cast iron carriers with 4 mounting holes making it 
easy to match drill holes to mount them, if not supplied.

My first bearing from them has bearing part number UCF210-31 and is 1 
15/16 inches to fit a particular mast material.  I will soon be ordering 
a couple more for the 2 inch DOM mast for my SteppIR  DB42 as I intend 
to use two bearings to eliminate side loads on the rotator.  I recommend 
painting or otherwise inhibiting rust on any part of the bearing 
assembly not painted and painting the painted part can't hurt.



I also recommend placing a water deflector as has been suggested on this 
reflector previously.  A rubber boot affixed to the mast and slipped 
down next to the bearing offers pretty good protection, is cheap, and 
easy to install (prior to installing the mast.)  These "boots" are 
available at the big box stores or plumbing supply houses and are 
intended for waterproofing  roof vent penetrations. There are other 
methods using other materials that have been discussed here as well.

Patrick

On 6/8/2015 7:10 AM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> If they are made like the TB3, I would avoid it.  I bought a TB3 for my
> Aruba station and the brand new one was difficult to turn.  I returned it
> and received a replacement which was better.  After a year of use it was
> rough turning. I am sure that some grease would have helped but you are
> not supposed to grease them. I replaced it with another brand attached
> with a homebrew mounting plate.
>
> John KK9A
>
>
> To:	towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject:	Re: [TowerTalk] Looking for a TB4 bearing - need not be pretty
> From:	"Roger (K8RI) on TT" <K8RI-on-TowerTalk at tm.net>
> Date:	Sun, 07 Jun 2015 23:53:06 -0400
> List-post:	<towertalk at contesting.com">mailto:towertalk at contesting.com>
> Hi Bart,
>
> Lets see...Feel like a washboard gravel road. I had two and they felt that
> way to me when new. They definitely do not feel like you expect a bearing
> of that price to feel. They've since picked up a bit of wear. Wear as in
> the top section sets down on the base real tight and the inside of the
> bottom race is now like a razor. IOW, they are shot!
>
> There are much better bearings with 2 and 4 hole mounts for a half to a
> third (or less) cost, complete with zerk(s) There are those using
> centering bolts, or the off center locking collar. They are available in
> SS as well for a bit more money.
>
> Try bearings.com or something similar.  I can't find the original links
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>
> On 6/7/2015 9:17 PM, Bart Jahnke wrote:
> All,
>
> I am looking for a Rohn TB4 bearing.
>
> New - would be nice - NOS okay too...
>
> Used - be nice if it came with hardware... Need not be a beauty queen...
> But prefer it not feel like a washboard gravel road when you turn it.
>
> Anyone have anything on the shelf collecting dust, before I go to Ebay...
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Bart W9JJ
>
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