Trackball Help!

[jrj8541]

Howdy!  I bought a trackball from Peale (I think) a few months ago.  I am finally getting around to building my machine and I have a few questions about the trackball.  It rolled fairly well when I got it, but rolling it now it rolls extremely slowly.  I opened it up and cleaned everything off, but its still less than optimal.  The bearings look to be R74 bearings.  Doing a quick search online I found some for sale for 12 bucks, which seems a little steep! 

I was curious if anyone knows where I could get them cheaper, or what I could do (can you use WD40 or the like on them?)

Thanks so much for the help guys.  Only a few more loose ends to tie up and I will have my first machine all done!

James

[whammoed]

try some 3in1 oil.

[quarterback]

therealbobroberts sells complete roller/bearing kits for likst $20 or something (don't sue me if I'm off on the price) but yeah, try some 3-in-one.   You can also put the bearings onto the pointed end of a pencil, put the eraser end into your drill and spin those babies up.

[IntruderAlert]

What kind of shape are the rollers in?
I recently experimented with cleaning a set of bearings.
I had some WD40 and some R/C car bearing cleaner lying around
I took a small cup and sprayed each bearing liberally over the cup so as not to waste the cleaning fluid and let the bearings soak for a bit while agitating the cup.
Then poured it all out and did it again..and again.. and again until the fluid stayed clean looking after agitating.
Then after emptying the cup the final time I oiled the bearings with 3in1 oil over the cup and let them soak a bit while shaking the cup around again.
The result was much better performance but don't expect new performance from old bearings and rollers
eventually you'll have to end up buying a new set

[RayB]

When you swish a bearing around in oil like that, how do you get the outer rim of the bearing oil-free? Seems to me if there's oil on that outer edge, them the trackball will just glide across the bearing and not really turn it real well.

[JODY]

Bob Roberts says not to use WD40 because it will become sticky over time and gum up the bearings.

[Kremmit]

When you swish a bearing around in oil like that, how do you get the outer rim of the bearing oil-free? Seems to me if there's oil on that outer edge, them the trackball will just glide across the bearing and not really turn it real well.

So?  If the ball glides across the bearing easier than turning the bearing, they the ball is rolling pretty darn resistance-free.  Let it!

[JODY]

As long as the encoder wheel turns.  Lube up that ball and shaft though and the encoder wheel doesn't turn and it isn't playable.

[IntruderAlert]

lol... I was talking about the BEARINGS not the ROLLERS

[IntruderAlert]

here's a few more links for some ideas:
http://www.balakracing.com/cleanballbearings.htm
http://www.rc-car.com/detail.asp?id=54
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJY55&P=M
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEV92&P=M
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFWJ4&P=M
http://www.skatesonhaight.com/Bones_Bearing_Cleaner_Kit_p/bbck.htm
http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=STW

[NJDevils2006]

new bearings are the way to go, i tried several cleaning techniques, and ended up buying new bearings anyway.

[jrj8541]

Alright, ordered the parts from therealbobroberts today.  Thanks for all the advice folks!

I tried the 3 in 1 oil and it spins better, but still not what I am looking for.   The bearings are just nasty.

Thanks again!

[RayB]

DOH!!!!!!