foufymaus

So, I had acquired my grandmothers 1950's era Riccar treadle a while a go. It has the option of going by motor but I would love to keep it treadled. It was making a clunking sound so i put it aside. The other day I realized that it needed ball bearings.

Yep. At the end of the pitman arm there's a donut shaped joint. Inside the joint is a sprocket style gear like on a bicycle, but turned inside so the point face inwards. Now I just have to figure out what size is needed so i can install them. Anyone have any ideas on how to measure for ball bearings.

SteveH

are their any existing ones?

My W&W uses these also and I bought a supply, but I was only missing 1/2 of them.

foufymaus

nope there aren't all the bearings were missing. The space between the sprokets measures 6/32nd of an inch.

SteveH

So, you have 3/16" spacing, you could use 5/32" Ball bearings or maybe even as small as 1/8" (which is what mine uses). It might even be able to go as large as the 3/16"

http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-bearing-balls/

Sorry, but i'd rather not go through taking that apart again to measure the spacing on mine... Hopefully someone else has one apart already

foufymaus

thanks, i figured it was about 5/32 and i think the local bicycle shop may have some *crosses fingers*

SteveH

as I recall with mine, the issue is the fit around the ring. i.e. the number of balls that fit leaving a minimal amount of gaposis

Rodney

Decent hardware stores sometimes still sell the individual balls. Our local Ace store carries a few. I wouldn't bother with the big box stores though.
Your local bike shop is a good idea. I'm betting they have something that works.
Rodney

oldsewnsew

A bike shop will probably be stocked w metrics. And 4mm would work.