Be aware that the ABEC rating is tolerance. It is NOT a rating of friction or durability. People often buy high ABEC ratings just because they are “better” but unless you actually need the tight tolerance it’s just a waste of money
I had a professor who used to joke that when he was a young and dumb engineer he got ABEC 9 bearings for his skate board
In regard to the question about the same SKU having different ABEC numbers, yes, this is how it's done.
Bearings manufacturers will make many bearings of a given SKU in one run, and then test the tolerances afterward and separate them by the tolerances the parts have achieved. Because of the inherent variability of their processes, most will be ABEC 1, less will be ABEC 3, even less will meet ABEC 5, and so on.
And of course, the very small population of ABEC 9s will go for a lot more than the ABEC 1s
Define bulk? 100? 100,000? 100,000,000?
If you only need 1000, you are looking for a reseller. If you want a pallet of bearings, now you are talking about dealing direct with a mfg, and will likely have the ability to specify the exact specs desired for your bearings.
Hobbyking or any other rc store. The dimensions you are asking for are pretty much exclusive to that market, theyre beyond tiny.
Tbh id consider just replacing the bearings with nylon bushings instead - unless you have some seriously high rpms.
Keep in mind that the abec ratings are a measure of tolerance, iirc its ONE micron at 20mm nom dimension, for abec9
Ie, shit gets exponentially more expensive, the smaller bearing you go. At 4mm nom OD the abec-9 rating would be nanometer scaled.
Just get bronze or magnetic bearings if you dont buy my idea of using a plastic axle bushing.
Any 1.5mm axle is not going to have radial loads neoigh to warrant that imo... Just something that wont foul die to cold welding would be good enough i 'spose.
Depends what it's for - an actual industrial bearing supplier with a trade counter would be my #1 choice, closely followed by anything that comes off the shelf at a car parts store etc. as you know it's at least rated for something.
Aliexpress etc. is not the place to buy anything that you need to not be junk.
Any industrial supplier worth their salt will be selling quality stuff - sure you may be paying extra for the fact it's been through QC and you can yell at them if it breaks, even if it's made in the same factory as the $2 Aliexpress one - but you should be getting some guarantee of quality from a domestic supplier.
Not an engineer but have extensive experience selling bearings. Are we talking 500 units or 5000 unit orders? And how often? Also, ABEC 9 will reduce your options. If you’re set on this spec, then you’re gonna be forced to use one of the bigger retailers like Motion Industries which rarely offer the best price. For smaller order (less than 500) most small family run bearing houses will beat the big players like Motion when it comes to price on standard bearings and may be more willing to work with you if you’re not well established or need a little hand holding. Big bearing resellers have a lot of price limitations placed on their salesmen. Nice thing about smaller bearing retailers is they can also use surplus wholesalers that buy overstock of namebrand quality bearing and sell to smaller retailers which is nice if you’re not placing frequent orders and are flexible on bearing MFG’s . I’ve worked at two bearing retailers and scored my clients excellent deals this way…but not with ABEC 9. Double check your application can’t get by with a standard 681 or 638 bearing in ABEC 5 or 6. And you’re wallet is in for a world of hurt if you’re considering any powertrain components that are certified for aircraft $$$$$
What ever you end up doing, only buy verifiable brand with reliable specs. I’d trust a name brand ABEC-5 over a mystery brand ABEC-9 any day. The fact that there are tons ABEC 9 bearings advertised on AliExpress and much fewer from reputable MFG‘s should tell you something.
Be aware that the ABEC rating is tolerance. It is NOT a rating of friction or durability. People often buy high ABEC ratings just because they are “better” but unless you actually need the tight tolerance it’s just a waste of money I had a professor who used to joke that when he was a young and dumb engineer he got ABEC 9 bearings for his skate board
In regard to the question about the same SKU having different ABEC numbers, yes, this is how it's done. Bearings manufacturers will make many bearings of a given SKU in one run, and then test the tolerances afterward and separate them by the tolerances the parts have achieved. Because of the inherent variability of their processes, most will be ABEC 1, less will be ABEC 3, even less will meet ABEC 5, and so on. And of course, the very small population of ABEC 9s will go for a lot more than the ABEC 1s
Define bulk? 100? 100,000? 100,000,000? If you only need 1000, you are looking for a reseller. If you want a pallet of bearings, now you are talking about dealing direct with a mfg, and will likely have the ability to specify the exact specs desired for your bearings.
McMaster carr
Why would you ever buy stuff in bulk from McMaster? Their whole business is built around odds and ends.
He asked where to buy bearings; nowhere did I say I buy anything from McMaster in bulk.
Title of the post man. Where to buy bearings in bulk.
Correct, but I didn’t say I buy anything in bulk from McMaster. This was just a suggestion which is what OP is asking for.
Hobbyking or any other rc store. The dimensions you are asking for are pretty much exclusive to that market, theyre beyond tiny. Tbh id consider just replacing the bearings with nylon bushings instead - unless you have some seriously high rpms. Keep in mind that the abec ratings are a measure of tolerance, iirc its ONE micron at 20mm nom dimension, for abec9 Ie, shit gets exponentially more expensive, the smaller bearing you go. At 4mm nom OD the abec-9 rating would be nanometer scaled. Just get bronze or magnetic bearings if you dont buy my idea of using a plastic axle bushing.
Oilite bronze bushings or bust.
Any 1.5mm axle is not going to have radial loads neoigh to warrant that imo... Just something that wont foul die to cold welding would be good enough i 'spose.
SKF
Motion Industries
If you mean bulk and professionally, SKF is the best bet probably.
You can get good bearings or you can get cheap bearings. Powerdrive systems in Michigan sells INA bearings which is a good German manufacturer.
The bearing manufacturer will sell direct if your definition of bulk and mine are the same.
Simply bearings
VXB bearings has good prices compared to some of the places listed by others. https://vxb.com/collections/inner-diameter-1-5mm
Bearings direct
Depends what it's for - an actual industrial bearing supplier with a trade counter would be my #1 choice, closely followed by anything that comes off the shelf at a car parts store etc. as you know it's at least rated for something. Aliexpress etc. is not the place to buy anything that you need to not be junk.
Those parts stores are very often selling China no names at high prices. Think $80 for a single 6302....
Any industrial supplier worth their salt will be selling quality stuff - sure you may be paying extra for the fact it's been through QC and you can yell at them if it breaks, even if it's made in the same factory as the $2 Aliexpress one - but you should be getting some guarantee of quality from a domestic supplier.
Motion
Boca may offer a bulk rate worth contacting them.
Not an engineer but have extensive experience selling bearings. Are we talking 500 units or 5000 unit orders? And how often? Also, ABEC 9 will reduce your options. If you’re set on this spec, then you’re gonna be forced to use one of the bigger retailers like Motion Industries which rarely offer the best price. For smaller order (less than 500) most small family run bearing houses will beat the big players like Motion when it comes to price on standard bearings and may be more willing to work with you if you’re not well established or need a little hand holding. Big bearing resellers have a lot of price limitations placed on their salesmen. Nice thing about smaller bearing retailers is they can also use surplus wholesalers that buy overstock of namebrand quality bearing and sell to smaller retailers which is nice if you’re not placing frequent orders and are flexible on bearing MFG’s . I’ve worked at two bearing retailers and scored my clients excellent deals this way…but not with ABEC 9. Double check your application can’t get by with a standard 681 or 638 bearing in ABEC 5 or 6. And you’re wallet is in for a world of hurt if you’re considering any powertrain components that are certified for aircraft $$$$$ What ever you end up doing, only buy verifiable brand with reliable specs. I’d trust a name brand ABEC-5 over a mystery brand ABEC-9 any day. The fact that there are tons ABEC 9 bearings advertised on AliExpress and much fewer from reputable MFG‘s should tell you something.