Boxford BUD spindle bearings

[hunter27]

Has anyone removed the outer cases on the headstock bearings? Most of the stuff I can find on the net is people stripping the headstock down but not removing the outer shells. The shells on my bearings are visibly worn, behind the shell is a 3mm grove that I think the grease nipple feeds but the hole in the rear casting is a lot smaller than the bearing so it can't be knocked out from behind.
I made 2X 3mm half disks from a circ saw blade and bolted them together to make a puller and fitted this in the slot behind the bearing, but pulling on them (and the bearing) with the 10mm bolt has stripped the 10mm nut so they are very tight. I know I can weld the bearing to hopefully shrink it but before I do that am I missing something?

 

[Seadog]

Yes, about 9 years ago. There are two holes drilled on the periphery of each of the outer races with which you can drift the outers out. You need a good quality thin pin punch. Check that the grease hole alignment is correct when you've removed them. On one of mine, the rear I think it was, it was missaligned which made it impossible to pump any grease in

 

[hunter27]

Yes, about 9 years ago. There are two holes drilled on the periphery of each of the outer races with which you can drift the outers out. You need a good quality thin pin punch. Check that the grease hole alignment is correct when you've removed them. On one of mine, the rear I think it was, it was missaligned which made it impossible to pump any grease in

Thanks Seadog.
You are right there are holes behind the bearing that I had not seen but judging by how much resistance the large bearing is putting up, the size of those holes and due to the access inside the headstock I am not too optimistic. I am going to have another go tomorrow.
The reason I have not removed the headstock is due to the belt being in quite good condition but it is a riveted belt and not a T belt as I expected and I don't want to risk beggaring it up if possible.
Thanks for your reply,
Pete

 

[hunter27]

Update, We eventually managed to remove the front spindle outer bearing shell today by loading it up with the puller I made and by lightly tapping the shell from behind through the holes pointed out by @Seadog , the rear outer bearing shell gave up a lot more easily. No damage done