Other bearing for turntable use?

Zero One · 25th May 2006, 09:04 AM

I have been experimenting with video head bearings for my upcoming DIY turntable, it seems like it will be very successful, but today I found yet another bearing of promise, Hard Drive bearings, I found a dissasembled one in a classroom I was teaching in.

These things might be good for a platter bearing or even gimbal bearings, the quality is very very high, as it would need to be considering how a hard drive works, no movement is tolerable at all (well next to none) and they spin at very high speeds for hours on end and the friction level of a used one is very low. And most would be in very good condition as HDs are totally dust sealed!

Oh and free from a junked computer!

Anyone tried it for a TT?

sreten · 25th May 2006, 11:17 AM

Hi,

The point to consider is that they are not thrust bearings.

How long they will last with say 3kg of side thrust they are
not designed for is anybody's guess, I'd say not very long.

You could add opposing magnets to significantly reduce thrust.

/sreten.

MikeBettinger · 26th May 2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zero One
but today I found yet another bearing of promise, Hard Drive bearings,

Anyone tried it for a TT?

Yeah, been there, commented on it a few days ago. Still working well after 5 or six years.

Mike

Zero One · 27th May 2006, 12:10 PM

Hi Mike,
Thanks for that I missed it in your original post, I really think the HD bearing show promise and after the time you have been using yours, if there was a problem it would have shown up Id say.

MikeBettinger · 27th May 2006, 01:13 PM

I has listening to it last night and it's still quiet and spins freely for a long time. If I can locate my backup I'll post a picture. It's from an older design and a bit bigger than today's drive.

Mike.

25th May 2006, 09:04 AM	#1
Zero One diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goulburn NSW	Other bearing for Turnatable use? I have been experimenting with video head bearings for my upcoming DIY turntable, it seems like it will be very successful, but today I found yet another bearing of promise, Hard Drive bearings, I found a dissasembled one in a classroom I was teaching in. These things might be good for a platter bearing or even gimbal bearings, the quality is very very high, as it would need to be considering how a hard drive works, no movement is tolerable at all (well next to none) and they spin at very high speeds for hours on end and the friction level of a used one is very low. And most would be in very good condition as HDs are totally dust sealed! Oh and free from a junked computer! Anyone tried it for a TT?

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25th May 2006, 11:17 AM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, The point to consider is that they are not thrust bearings. How long they will last with say 3kg of side thrust they are not designed for is anybody's guess, I'd say not very long. You could add opposing magnets to significantly reduce thrust. /sreten.

27th May 2006, 12:10 PM	#4
Zero One diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Goulburn NSW	Hi Mike, Thanks for that I missed it in your original post, I really think the HD bearing show promise and after the time you have been using yours, if there was a problem it would have shown up Id say.

27th May 2006, 01:13 PM	#5
MikeBettinger diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia	I has listening to it last night and it's still quiet and spins freely for a long time. If I can locate my backup I'll post a picture. It's from an older design and a bit bigger than today's drive. Mike.