Replacement bearings

[jhamel]

I want to purchase replacement bearings. The helicopter brand specific bearings are quite expensive, and they do not generally include bearing ratings in the descriptions. There are less expensive bearings like the ProTek bearings sold at A Main Hobbies, but again these bearings do not include ratings in the description.

Is it more prudent to just purchase replacement bearings directly for Boca, since they have ratings and specifications for all their bearings?

[R_Lefebvre]

This is a great question.

In my experience, any bearing which does not have it's maker's name included on it somewhere (usually on the shield) is junk. It's just junk. And disappointingly, this appears to be what you typically get from Align, and I'm not sure who else. I used to purchase heli parts from Hobby King, and then started buying from Align. IMO, the bearings in the Align parts are no better than Hobby King. They are all notchy right out of the package.

Buying from BOCA is an easy way to get good bearings, if you can afford that. They have very good bearings, but there's a hefty markup for the convenience and service they offer. I have also had good luck just ordering bearings from a local industrial bearing supply shop. They'll usually have bearings available from several of the big companies like NMB, SKF, etc. But I've even had good luck ordering their budget bearings which are made in China but do have a maker branding on them (I forget which). These bearings were actually higher quality than what Align was shipping, and cheaper.

[HeliSmith]

I admittedly don't know much about bearings but I use the ProTek bearings even for such things as my torque tube and tail which are very high speed. Actually all bearings lately I have replaced using the ProTek bearings and they are doing great for me.

[R_Lefebvre]

I had a look at those. I find it hard to believe they are good quality bearings at those prices. But, I'm sure they're perfectly fine for sport applications.

When I refer to good bearings, it's from the perspective of somebody who used to engineer front end accessory drives for automotive applications intended to last 100,000 miles without needing replacements.

[jhamel]

I have used the ProTek bearings in high speed applications like the TT. Although I have not had problems with these bearings, the lack of specs and ratings make it so that I have to keep a close eye on them. Ideally, the ProTek bearings (and other bearings also) would be spec'ed and rated properly, so that we as consumers can better understand their limitations, and compare against other bearings to make educated purchasing decisions.