Quantity One Bearing

1/2 x 3/4 x 5/32 Bearings

These Bearings have a Rubber Shield on Both Sides

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEARINGS:

TYPES OF SEALS:

There are three main types of seals used in Hobby Sized Bearings - Metal Shields, Rubber Seals, and Teflon Seals. The basic function of the seal is two fold - to keep contaminants out and to keep the lubricant in. The three types of seals differ in their sealing ability, how freely they let the bearing spin, and of course the cost.

Sealing ability refers to the ability of the seal to keep debris and contaminants out of the inner workings of the bearings. The better the seal, the less often you have to clean your bearings to keep them running smoothly. Failure to clean your bearings when needed will shorten their lifespan. If you want bearings that need very little maintenance, rubber sealed bearings require very little to no attention as they offer the tightest seal.. Metal shielded bearings require the most maintenance.

How Freely the Seal lets the bearing spin is directly related to the performance of the bearings. A rubber sealed bearing offers lower performance than the other types of seals because the rubber seal is actually in contact with the inner workings of the bearing, which results in higher friction as the balls rub against the rubber seals. Metal Shields, Teflon, and Polyamide Seals are "non-contact" as they are held in place away from the inner workings of the bearing. They let the bearing spin easier and offer noticeably higher performance.

Cost is always important in our hobby, ceramic bearings can cost you up to $200 for a set).

SEAL COLOR: Seal Color is unrelated to bearing quality or performance. It is only used by companies to help build name recognition.

MATERIALS:

There are two major types of materials used in the construction of Hobby Sized bearings - Chrome Steel and Stainless Steel. Both are excellent bearing materials. The main differences between the two are corrosion resistance and cost. Chrome Steel is slightly less expensive than Stainless Steel and will function very well under ordinary use (on or off-road), and under extreme use if properly maintained. If you are running in extreme conditions such as mud, water, or snow, Stainless Steel Bearings will require less maintenance. If you keep your bearings properly lubricated, you will not be able to tell the difference.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING BEARINGS:

Metal Shielded Bearings: Metal Shielded bearings offer excellent performance at a budget price. They work very well for on-road racers as they offer excellent performance and are easily maintained to keep them at peak performance. If used in an off-road application, exposed bearings such as wheel bearings will need to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep them running smoothly. (Inexpensive tools are available that makes cleaning easy) These are also excellent bearings in high-temperature applications such as Clutch Bells in Nitro Vehicles.

Rubber Sealed Bearings: Rubber Sealed Bearings are a nice choice for people who want bearings they can install and not have to worry about cleaning or maintaining them. They are also recommended for running in wet or extremely dirt conditions. Because of the performance loss involved with this kind of seal, they work best for sport use, and amateur racing.

Teflon Sealed Bearings: Teflon Sealed Bearings are an excellent choice for racers as they offer a combination of high performance and low maintenance. They work very well for both on-road and off-road applications.

PolyAmide Sealed Bearings: This is a new type of Teflon Sealed Bearing. It offers all the performance of other Teflon Seal Bearings, but includes a Polyamide core seal which offers a sealing ability that rivals rubber sealed bearings for protection from debris. This improved seal also offers greater resistance to heat, and improved lateral strength. Their High performance makes them well suited for both Electric and Nitro Racing Applications, while their maintenance free operation makes them just at home bashing around the backyard.