This is my second post-mortem article on making fingerskate wheels.
What is a bearing lock?
A bearing lock is the system used to keep the bearing in place in the wheel. Unlike full-size skateboard wheels, where the bearings are not fixed and can be changed, fingerboard wheels must be fixed inside the bearing.
In a full-size skateboard, there are two bearings that prevent the wheel from moving horizontally on the hanger axle. In finger skateboarding, for reasons of space, there is (often) only one bearing, so a way is needed to prevent the bearing from moving horizontally.
The different types of bearing locks
The bearing lock with lips
By using a lip at the back and front of the bearing, we ensure that the bearing does not move horizontally. This is the Holy Grail of wheel makers, as it is the simplest solution to manufacture.
However, finding the perfect dimensions for the lips is a real headache. If they are too big, inserting the bearing will destroy the lip. If it is too small, the lip may break during use. And all this depends greatly on the type of resin used (particularly its hardness) and the quality of the resin after it has hardened.
cut wheel with the lips visible
The glued bearing
Gluing a bearing is considered a rather dirty approach, as there is a risk of damaging the bearing, and over time, the glue may lose its properties and no longer hold the bearing properly. There is also a significant risk of not gluing the wheel correctly and encountering problems on certain sets.
Some wheel makers who manufacture wheels from recycled full-size skate wheels sometimes use this process, but they are in the minority.
The “ring” type bearing lock
This is what we used at Megaptera. A ring that rests against the bearing and prevents it from moving. It's the easiest solution, but it's also the most reliable. Many wheel makers use this technique, and sometimes you can't even see that a ring has been inserted.
It is the most expensive solution, as it requires manufacturing two parts per wheel and assembling three parts. Glue can be used to secure the ring in place, which is less disruptive than gluing the bearing, but friction is often enough to keep it in place.
Wheel with a ring on the right, right out of the printer