Bearing size for larger wire spool hole?

[peskywinnets]

Just wondering in anyone knows the bearing size needed for the larger enameled wire spools? (ie what's the hole size running through the spool)

I've previously just been using 500g spools, which have a 16mm hole - & I got bearings those in spades - but I'm going to have to order some bearings up for the larger spool size.

Thanks,
Pesky.

[RedHouse]

Just wondering in anyone knows the bearing size needed for the larger enameled wire spools? (ie what's the hole size running through the spool)

I've previously just been using 500g spools, which have a 16mm hole - & I got bearings those in spades - but I'm going to have to order some bearings up for the larger spool size.

Thanks,
Pesky.

Why?, are you using the "rolling-despooler" method?

[David Schwab]

Yeah, don't try and roll the wire off. Sit the spool upright and let it despool from the top. You don't want to try and turn the spool.

[RedHouse]

If you're de-spooling by rolling the spool, really reconsider that method, you'll break a lot of wire.

Here is a pic of how to set up a few spools, the plastic tubs are Tupperware or Rubbermaid and the red funnels are NAPA.
(the spools in the tubs are 9lb spools, the spool in between is a 3lb'der)

Attaching the funnels on top controlls the wire from "whipping" as it despools at higher speeds. Whipping can cause a back-jerk on the wire that tends to snap the wire if it oscillates in sympathy with the bobbin tugging.

I attached a small shelf to an old wooden bar stool which also has some wire guides and a short arm off the top that points toward the bench when winding. I made this setup because my electronics bench pulls double duty as a place to wind when I need to wind a few. When I'm not winding I can just move the stool thing out of the way and get to doing other business.

You don't need the stool thing, just set the tubs on the floor and you're good to go.

[David Schwab]

I keep meaning use funnel like that.

[peskywinnets]

Thanks...but I'm not despooling while winding a pickup.

This is to wind off smaller quantities of wire off a larger spool onto a smaller500g spool (it's much thicker wire in play too, so no worries about snapping etc).

I prefer buying in bigger quantities, but my winder has been setup to hold a smaller 500g spool - therefore I've modded my coil winder to be able to 'wind off' from the larger spool, but unless it's despooled 'straight on' (as opposed to despooling it with one side resting on the floor), there's a greater possiblity of kinking when I come to use the wire on the smaller spool.

[RedHouse]

I keep meaning use funnel like that.

It really helps both with winding, and with spool/wire management.

When moving the spools around the shop they are self contained and fairly well protected. Just remember to keep a couple small strips of tape on the funnel tips to hold the end of the wire in-place when not in use, or you will have to disassemble the things to get the wire end out.
(just tape the end of the wire to the outside of the funnel when not in use)

Once one of my friends came into the shop ...with his dog... while I had my winder set up for a winding session. His dog is a VERY friendly sort, but the wagging tail can kill/mame people, I was pleasantly surprised that my spool/funnel setup repelled the onslaught of puppy dog happiness.

[RedHouse]

Thanks...but I'm not despooling while winding a pickup.

This is to wind off smaller quantities of wire off a larger spool onto a smaller500g spool (it's much thicker wire in play too, so no worries about snapping etc).

I prefer buying in bigger quantities, but my winder has been setup to hold a smaller 500g spool - therefore I've modded my coil winder to be able to 'wind off' from the larger spool, but unless it's despooled 'straight on' (as opposed to despooling it with one side resting on the floor), there's a greater possiblity of kinking when I come to use the wire on the smaller spool.

Ahh I see.

How's that working for you?

I tried transferring wire from spool to spool before without sucess, the new spools always had some kinking problem right in the middle of a wind. I gave up the effort and just use the wire on the spools it comes on.
(yes, I rolled in on as you are describing)

[peskywinnets]

Ahh I see.

How's that working for you?
(yes, I rolled in on as you are describing)

I dunno...I haven't got the bearing size I need to do it yet - hence the post!

(but like I say, my wire is siginifcantly thicker than the wire gauge used for pickup winding, so I'm not expecting any significant problems)

I have a large spool & have some digital calipers...but it's too tricky to get a reliable reading....so I was hoping someone else might just know (I make it somewhere in the 34-36mm range....but that's not really granular enough to order up some bearings!)

edit: Just tried entering different bearing sizes into Ebay....nothing for 36mm (& scant for 34mm) ....whereas 35mm OD brings up quite a few, suggesting that it's more likely to be that size - probably take a punt & will post back (not that such info is likely to be well sought after here, but hey, info is info!!)

[David Schwab]

that sounds like an awful lot of trouble to avoid using a larger roll of wire.

[David King]

Pesky,
R4 bearing is 16.53mm I think. My spool holes all measure nominal 16mm (16.04 mm).
There must be a 16mm bearing out there..
try this" eBay.com.my: 1 x Bearings 6mm ID x 16mm OD x 5mm Wide 696A-ZZ (item 120443425179 end time Feb 27, 2010 17:48:07 MYT)

[peskywinnets]

that sounds like an awful lot of trouble to avoid using a larger roll of wire.

I'd agree with you if that were the only reason, but I can buy 'small amounts' of the specialised wire I need (which are 'leftovers' on big spools) very cheap - & because I have a CNC winder, it'll take about 2-3 minutes to wind off that wire onto a smaller spool, so if you call 3 minute overhead for getting considerably cheaper wire a lot of trouble...then I guess it is! (also, there's the prospect I can likely offload smaller amounts to others becuase I'm using fairly specialised wire which is expensive in small amounts - that'll make the wire I use free then)

David K...the smaller 500g spools take a 16mm bearing, but the larger (6kg?) spools ...well the hole on those is considerably larger.

[David King]

Sorry, all my spools are 5kg or less...