elpansonloco Posted November 23, 2020 Report Share Posted November 23, 2020 Hello folks, I need to enlarge a aluminum wheel rim bore by 1/8" so I'm using a rabbeting bit to make the bore (hole) larger and I ordered a bearing kit online but its smallest size will be 1/8 which will make my hole 1/4 larger as opposed to the needed 1/8. So, in my mind I can just add some tape or heat shrink tubing to the bearing get that 1/16 I need? Okay, WTH are you doing boring rims with a router?: I picked up a great set of rims with almost new tires for my truck at a local Pick and Pull for cheap, same model truck but my truck has a protruding center hub about 3/8" sticking out and 1/8" too wide to fit my new'ish rims, hole pattern is the same though. So instead of scrapping rims I've seen online where they enlarge the hole making the rims fit. I wont have to make the hole that much larger though. Thanks for your feedback. ps, it was $10 for a 1/2" rabbet bit with 6 bearings, so at least I will have that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 23, 2020 Report Share Posted November 23, 2020 First, can you get by with the 1/4" enlargement? If not, I would not try to enlarge the bearing by wrapping it with tape. It might work, but chances are great that the tape would peel and ruin the cut. Better to form a metal sleeve for the bearing, if you can. Best to get a bearing of the proper size, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 23, 2020 Report Share Posted November 23, 2020 Wheels rely on an exact fit between the hub & the hole in the wheel for a full strength connection between the two. The lug nuts don't do the whole job. I think tape will either peel off or compress some, which will give sloppy results. Getting a layer of tape the exact thickness will be a challenge as well. Remember, any error in tape thickness will be doubled in the final diameter of the hole. Do it right & take the wheels to a machine shop & have them bore out the centers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elpansonloco Posted November 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2020 3 hours ago, drzaius said: Wheels rely on an exact fit between the hub & the hole in the wheel for a full strength connection between the two. The lug nuts don't do the whole job. I think tape will either peel off or compress some, which will give sloppy results. Getting a layer of tape the exact thickness will be a challenge as well. Remember, any error in tape thickness will be doubled in the final diameter of the hole. Do it right & take the wheels to a machine shop & have them bore out the centers. This is what the practical smart person would do and there is room for debate whether a hub carries the weight of a wheel because they also make hub centric rings, plastic, to center the wheels on the hub and one machine shop I just called told me if the studs are tapered then the studs hold the load and if they are flat then the hub holds the load. Anyhow, he quoted me $250 for all 4, way more than I paid for the tires. I think I will go with my plan and if I screw it up just chuck the rims and use the tires. Thanks for your feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 I am predicting unmitigated doom and failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krtwood Posted November 30, 2020 Report Share Posted November 30, 2020 Router bearings are removable. If you're going to try it, at least get the right size bearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 A rabbit bit and 6 bearings for $10? I just wanna know where you shop...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 16 minutes ago, BillyJack said: A rabbit bit and 6 bearings for $10? I just wanna know where you shop...... I've got a feeling that's not a carbide bit & the bearings must be very low quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted December 1, 2020 Report Share Posted December 1, 2020 I pay $5 each for bearings. Even low quality bearing, where? I've got replacement bearings that are worth more than the China router bit I put it on.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovi Posted May 29, 2022 Report Share Posted May 29, 2022 Hi guys! I would have the same problem.. I've got a 19mm diameter straight router bit with a 19mm 635 bearing. I need to make 2mm rabbet for binding a guitar body. I would need a 15mm diameter bearing.. But the problem is it doesn't exist.. The only 2 options are 14mm 605 bearing or 16mm 625 bearing. Could I use 14mm bearing and tape it to get 15mm outer diameter? What tape is the best? Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 @Ovi, welcome to the conversation! I have my doubts that a layer of tape is a good way to "expand" the bearing. But if you want to experiment, I would suggest metal foil tape, such as that used for certain types of HVAC ductt work. It seems least likely to compress as force is applied. Since the outer race of the bearing should only roll at the speed you push the router, I doubt peeling will be an issue, if the tape is applied very carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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