We fill bearings with solid oil in house, to order, at our Glendale, California facility. The base bearings are made in China to standard dimensions. Each one is filled with Syn-Tech solid oil in a controlled convection oven process, the lubricant cures into a solid polymer matrix that seals the bearing, and every bearing is checked before shipping.
Where do the base bearings come from?
The starting point is a standard single row deep groove ball bearing. The rings, balls and cages are made in China to standard dimensions. That means a 6203 base bearing has the same bore, outside diameter and width as any other 6203 and drops into the same housing.
Base bearings come in two materials. Standard grade uses chrome steel rings and balls. Food Grade uses stainless steel rings and balls. We do not make the rings and balls. What we do in house is the solid oil fill, the cure and the inspection. Our store is operated by AMPEC INC in Glendale, California, and the about page has the background.
What is Syn-Tech solid oil?
Syn-Tech solid oil is a solid polymer lubricant. In plain terms, it is a solid material that holds oil inside a matrix and releases a thin film of that oil to the balls and raceways as the bearing turns. The bearing gets its lubrication from the inside, with no grease to purge, migrate or wash out.
For Food Grade bearings the solid lubricant is NSF H1 registered. NSF H1 is the registration category for lubricants that may have incidental contact with food, which is why Food Grade is the choice for food and beverage lines. The food grade bearings guide covers how to choose between the grades.
Some buyers call this solid oil impregnation or a solid lube bearing process. The terms describe the same thing: a bearing whose internal space is filled with a solid lubricant instead of grease.
How does the convection oven filling process work?
Filling happens after you order, not before. When an order comes in, base bearings in the ordered size and grade are pulled for filling.
The solid oil is introduced into the internal space of each bearing, between the rings, the balls and the cage. The bearings then go through a controlled convection oven process. Convection means heated air circulates around the bearings, which gives even, repeatable heating.
Under controlled heat the lubricant cures. Curing is the step where the material sets into a solid polymer matrix that holds the oil. Once cured, the matrix fills the internal space of the bearing and seals it. We do not publish oven settings. A shorter version of this process is on the how it is made page.
Why does the solid oil fill seal the bearing?
The cured matrix fills the internal space of the bearing, so the bearing is sealed with solid oil. That is why there is no seal or shield option on any of our bearings: the fill itself seals the bearing.
It also explains the service behavior. There is no relubrication, no purge and no washout, and the bearing survives washdown and cleaning chemicals. The page on solid oil vs grease bearings compares this with a conventional greased bearing.
Why is every bearing filled to order?
Two reasons.
First, a fresh fill. Filling to order means the solid oil in your bearing was cured for your order.
Second, choice. We offer 204 sizes, from 1 mm bore miniatures to 110 mm bore metric bearings, and every size comes in both Standard and Food Grade. Filling to order is what lets us offer both grades for every size without deciding in advance which combinations to make.
The trade-off is time. Filling and curing take place after your order, so orders ship in 7 to 10 business days rather than the same day. The lead time is the filling process itself.
What quality checks happen before shipping?
Every filled bearing is inspected before it is packed. If anything looks wrong, it does not ship.
For application questions, including high-speed applications, email us before you order and we will give you a straight answer.
How does made to order shape shipping and returns?
Orders ship in 7 to 10 business days by UPS or USPS, within the United States only. Standard shipping is a $10 flat rate and free on orders over $100. Express shipping with 3 to 5 day transit is $35; the transit clock starts when the filled order ships.
Because every bearing is filled for the order that requested it, all sales are final. Wrong or defective items are replaced free when reported within 48 hours with photos. An order can be canceled only before filling starts, so if you need to change a size or grade, email right away.
Quantity quotes are handled by email at info@solidoilbearings.com or through the contact form, and there is no minimum order. We reply within one business day. Browse all sizes, use the bearing finder to match a bearing by bore, outside diameter and width, or check the FAQ for ordering details.
Frequently asked questions
Where are solid oil bearings made?
The base bearings are made in China to standard dimensions. The solid oil filling, curing and inspection are done in house at our Glendale, California facility, to order.
How long does it take to fill an order?
Orders ship in 7 to 10 business days. That time covers pulling the base bearings, filling them with Syn-Tech solid oil, the convection oven cure and the inspection before packing. Express shipping shortens transit, not the filling time.
Can I return a solid oil bearing I do not need?
No. Because every bearing is filled to order, all sales are final. Wrong or defective items are replaced free if reported within 48 hours with photos, and orders can be canceled before filling starts.