Help finding parts for forge

[Welder]

I live in the western NC mountains near Spruce Pine. I recently got a Buffalo Forge. The forge has a 2" air opening. I tore it apart and found that the bearings on screw drive need to be replaced. Every thing else looks good. There are no numbers on the forge or on the parts. All it says is Buffalo Forge Co. Buffalo, NY. It is a hand crank forge with about an 18" diameter round table or bigger. When you crank the handle, the bearings made a grinding noise. Any suggestions where I can find the bearings I need? Can any one help me?:)

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Welder guy, glad to have ya.

I'm sure bearing info and ideas will be coming along presently. I've had pretty good luck taking old bearings to the local bearing supplier, Bearing Engineering in Anchorage and having them match new ones to measurements of the old ones.

If you'll click "User CP" at the top of the page and edit your profile it can really help. IFI is represented by members from more than 50 countries and a lot of info is location specific. Also, if local folk know you're there they can invite you to get togethers, tip you to tool deals and offer hands on help.

Frosty

[Charlotte]

Most of the bearing in buffalo forge blowers are oilite bronze.
you may find that the shafts that are in the bearings are also worn.
When faced with the problem I built up the shafts with tig and carbon rod.
The bearings and shafts I got a buddy to turn down with his lathe.
The bronze is "bearing bronze" available locally most place or on line.
Crankcase drippies were handled by extra thick outboard motor tranmission oil.

Edited May 6, 2009 by Charlotte
recast sentence