How much would an induction heater cost that'd do a huge ball bearing in 90 seconds? More than I care to spend! (over $10,ooo!)
I've been saving this trick for a special occasion. You guys really came through with putting up a few bucks each on Patreon. Thank you! https://www.patreon.com/AvE
We don't all have an inductive bearing heater. Very few of us have a hydraulic press, but following is the easiest/cheapest way to heat metal parts for installation. It's much safer than a torch and hot oil.
Simply wrap the metal part that you want to expand in a couple layers of wet rags. Microwave on high for a minute or two. The water in the rag will take the edge off the microwaves and prevent arching. But the beauty is that it won't get hotter than 100C or 212F, the perfect temperature for installing bearings!
This is pretty much going to put inductive bearing heaters out of business. (not really they are still good for flanges and heating above 100 C).
Also, this might go without saying, but you're gonna want to ensure the bearing has a whiff of oil on it prior to exposing it to moisture. What anybody would be doing running around with a dry bearing, I don't know, but people are sometimes, you know, idiots.
If you got a hard-ass my-way-or-the-highway bossman, throw the bearing in the oven or a vat of oil. This is an unconventional, unproven way of doing things. But it is good for a laugh and a good way to win a few beers!
Errata: Thank you to Daniel Mattsson! He pointed out my error:
"Simply too dangerous!!!
If your wife catches you... "

By AvvE

17 thoughts on “The microwave trick? it’s the easy way to heat bearings!”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adolfo Perez Valles says:

    I'll prefer to boil with some water (open bearings) and freezing the other part

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars gordon thomson says:

    Sous vide instead

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars George Kirkland says:

    This was crazy. If my wife ever caught me doing this, I’d have to buy her a new microwave.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars PRO GARAGE CHIŃSKIE MOTORKI says:

    sprawdziłem tą metodę którą podesłał mi widz i niestety nie działa tak dobrze w przypadku łożysk z wału korbowego silnika 139qmb. Samo łożysko klinuje się na wałku gdyż nie jest wystarczająco rozgrzane a grzałem nawet 3 minuty na 100% mikrofalówkę, obawiam się że odparowana woda może zostawić minerały i związki w bierzniach co później doprowadzi do korozji lecz nie mam 100% pewności. Dla mnie najlepiej spisuje się frytkownica 140 stopni celcjusza oczywiście w oleju hydraulicznym by nie było samozapłonu, potem łożysko wkładam na 10 minut i idealnie wchodzi bez wysiłku 🙂 czasochłonne lecz bezpieczne

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Lodge says:

    Ha ha! Genius! Got a Porsche transmission rebuild coming up so I found this just in time!

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sir Gears says:

    yeah, i have a problem with the whole day dreaming about boobies thing.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ev er says:

    Honestly i wouldn't recommend doing this because most people would forget the towel or rag soaked in water. Yes people are that dumb, 2020 showed everyone that. Plus most people wouldn't even make it to the part where you explain the water in the rag. 🤣

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Master of None says:

    You had me at booby…..
    Cool trick

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars aries6776 says:

    haha this is epic! I was looking at buying a hydraulic press but now I just need to explain to my wife that's it safe to put metal into a microwave!

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars lemon says:

    I tried it today and it worked perfectly thank you.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Yang Yang says:

    why not just wrap the bearing in ziploc and dip it in boiling water then? more controllable and no risk of frying the bearing or the oven. you are basically still heating the bearing with water. this actually has the risk of water getting into bearing and causing rust

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Terry Duncan says:

    Fuckin' great. Straight forward and no fuckery!!

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Thaveephol Interprint says:

    Try induction heater next time.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars brandon Croucher says:

    thats actually amazing. Thank you!

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gaming with Pax says:

    7 years late to the party I see , I think this video has changed my life

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Channel Wanderer says:

    Rip an old microwave oven transformer to pieces take out secondary coil. Replace link with ferrous metal bar place bearing around said bar. Home made induction bearing heater

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Robert Alms says:

    I never knew, brilliant!!

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