Q:can i make my own ball bearings for hubs, bottom bracket, etc. from a ceramic mug or the like? if its possible, what tools do i need? can i get it done at a machine shop? i would only do this if its cheaper than buying them pre-made, which in case you didnt know, can cost several hundred dollars for a full set.

It would be very dificult and you would need a lot of very expensive equipment. Heat treating, grinding, lapping. Try OKorder thats a good place to maybe save quit a bit on things like this. If your only wanting the balls you can get them in quantities from MSC. I believe they sell steel balls that aren't quit good enought for percision bearings. I got 50 for just a few dollars once.

Q:what is the difference between alloy bearings and plastic bearings?

Alloy bearings are med out of metal alloys. Plastic bearings are made out of plastic. The metal ones are more durable and last longer, but are heavier than the plastic ones.

Q:On a scale of 1-10 how good are abec 3 skateboard bearings?

They can be between a 9 and 10 or they can be a 1. The ABEC number is basically useless for skate bearings. It is related to vibration at very high speeds (over 200 mph on a board). The tight tolerances on the high ABEC ratings can actually slow you down which is why the high end company (Bones, Zero Drag, Twin Cam) all make bearings without any ABEC rating as their top bearings. However, there is a spec called precision that is really sloppy and was in common use before people started getting ABEC 1 bearings for the consistency. The biggest thing that 99% of the people will see as a difference in speed of the bearing is the lubricant that they maker put in the bearings. Grease will be slow at first until it is pushed mostly to the side but it lasts the longest before you need to relubricate or replace the bearings. Oil is the fastest but doesn't last long. Gels are in between in speed and life.

Q:I got a frame. But it looks like it uses a different size than an easter bike

You may need to be more specific with the question but i assume that you are talking about the bottom bracket bearings. In BMX there are various BB (bottom bracket) sizes there are, Euro BB, Spanish BB, American BB and Mid BB. The most commonly used BB is the Mid which most BMX frames use now days, the American BB is quite old and dated the other BB that you may see is the Spanish BB which is used by various companies one being Fly Bikes (being a spanish company). You may find that your Hoffman frame has a Mid BB and the Eastern frame you own has a Spanish BB the most common difference is the Mid is larger than the Spanish, unless you provide some more information i suggest that you go to your local bike shop and ask for their opinion or help. Good luck!

Q:I refer to the overhung impeller pump. They normally have two bearings supporting the shaft, (and an oil box between the bearings). Why is that? why not only one bearing? what would happen if they are manufactured with one bearing only?

You could do that but you would have to rely on the bearings of the driver to help support the load. You would also have to be sure one of the two bearings could take an axial thrust load. As you may know there are vertical inline pumps that do just that.

Q:from fast forward?

well there's no such thing as a pro skateboard...but what do you mean by what kind of bearings...brand or abec? if you're talking about abec then most pro street skaters use abec-5 bearings, while vert skaters like a bit more speed. so theyll use abec-7. abec-3,5, and 7 are the most common. the higher the number the faster and longer the bearing will make the wheel spin, but they need cleaned often and dont last as long. as for the brand, they will skate bearings from whichever company gives them sponsorship. most pros do not skate element bearings, they skate whoever they're sponsored by.

Q:1973 buick centurion. posi rear.

given the fact that the bearings are 35 years old and should have a good amount of mileage, i would. you are going to have the rear end apart for this any way. save your self the time and money for a second tear down. if the bearings were replaced prior to this, hmmm, i would still save face and replace them. it seams like any time you disturb one part to replace another, that first will start to act up.

Q:I just bought the sector 9 bambino 26.5 and I was wondering what would be better for it. Im trying to decide between the bones swiss labyrinth would bones super swiss 6. What would be better for my board-thanks.

I think the bones swiss labyrinth, but man also check out Sector 9 Greaseball Bearings, they are so so so sick. Either way enjoy man.

Q:i have an 2001 ford ranger and it sounds like a bunch of rocks or marbles sound coming from my rear wheels. does that mean i need new bearings?

sure sounds like bearings

Q:People aay that your bearings can last up to a year or two if you takw care of them. Whats this mean? How?

Bearings can actually last way longer than that. I've had some bearings for upwards of three years or so. I never cleaned them, and they still work great. Soak them in some rubbing alcohol, rinse them off.