slot car ball bearings
Slot cars, or “slotcars," are electric-motor powered miniature automobiles or other wheeled vehicles available in a variety of scales. Some slot cars are available commercially, although enthusiasts often customized their slot cars for better performance. Customization allows slot car racers to maximize the speed and maneuverability of the scale model vehicle. One of the techniques used for enhancing performance is the use of slot car ball bearings. Ball bearings are defined as part of an axle that comes in direct contact with the chassis. The function of slot car ball bearings is to provide the rotational axis for the axle and reduce the friction between the two parts. Ball bearings are usually found at the rear axle and are sometimes called “bushings." Either term is okay. They are typically cylinders with two flanges made of brass, bronze, Teflon or nylon, but the best bearings are the ones that are softer than the axle but harder than the chassis. The favorite material of manufactures for ball bearings is sintered bronze.
The common slot car scales are 1:24, 1:32 and HO (1:87) sized cars. Because they are full working scale models, the performance of the slot cars depends on the quality and fit of the various components and enthusiasts dedicate considerable amounts of time, energy and money to the hobby. Slot care racing can be a highly competitive contest and owners are very serious about the parts that go into the model car.
The axle, chassis and ball bearings play a crucial part in the speed and performance of slot cars. As a regularly replaceable component, ball bearing prices can range from about $8 for the stainless steel kind to $15 for bronze bearing. Each is specific to the axle and chassis type and comes in as many scales as the models available. Experts contend that the best ball bearings are the ones that are so precisely fitted to the chassis that it does not require the use of spacers (washers), lubricants or soldering. It prevents friction and wobbling (which wears out the axles faster).
Slot car technology has advanced considerable since its beginnings in 1912. Computer-aided design software has enabled the design of more realistic tracks and faster motors, better tires and better traction. It has made the ability to eliminate wobbling and friction even more important, a mechanism in which slot car ball bearings play a large part.