How can I get this out?

[Gavlar]

This is part of the base of a nice, old indexing lathe tool post. It has eight spring loaded ball bearings that locate into eight detents in the base of the tool post. Seven of the bearings came out easily, this last one is stuck firm. The holes are all blind so I can't push it out. I've tapped it with a hammer from behind to try and shock it out, that didn't work. I've tried a nebendiu, neubend, nebund, really strong magnet with no joy. I don't want to damage the base but the ball bearing can be replaced. I have mill but no carbide end mills or drills and I don't think HSS will touch it and I don't want to try for fear of pushing it in further. Push comes to shove I'll buy a carbide centre drill but I'd rather avoid that as it will never get used again. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Welderpaul]

Does it matter if there is a tiny hole drilled in the back plate behind the BB?
Tap it out with a 3mm (?) punch?

 

[6ply]

Can't you drill a small hole from behind and punch it out?

 

[Gavlar]

As a last resort, maybe. The springs are tiny, only about 2mm in diameter.

 

[E T]

Did you try warming the base up a bit?

 

[Gavlar]

No, for some reason that didn't occur to me! I'll try that next.

 

[Melvyn Best]

This is a welding forum although I’ve never tried welding a ball bearing , I can’t see why welding a bolt to the bearing wouldn’t work?

 

[gaz1]

Did you try warming the base up a bit?

if it gives the ball bearing and spring will fly fast

 

[E T]

That picture is a bit blurred, but the top edge of that pocket looks a bit damaged. Could be just a burr on the edge that's holding it in.
Does the ball bearing still turn?

 

[Agroshield]

This is a welding forum...

And even JB Weld, properly cured, could be a possibility. At worst, the glue joint will fail.

Cut the ball in half with a Dremel. Rotate it 180 degrees. Even grinding a flat on the top, like a boiled egg, would allow it to rotate and leave a gap for a prying tool.

 

[E T]

if it gives the ball bearing and spring will fly fast

It's just a detent spring. Won't be much force behind it.

 

[MattF]

Is the ball freely moving, or is it stuck/rusted in place?

 

[brightspark]

heat it from the back and then give it a hard tap on to something solid and it might just fly out

 

[Fazerruss]

There is a much easier way that everyone is missing.
Using an arc welder or TIG, on low amps touch the ball with the electrode and let it stick ( as when the rod freez's to the job because it didn't strike up the arc)

Then pull it out.

 

[brightspark]

There is a much easier way that everyone is missing.
Using an arc welder or TIG, on low amps touch the ball with the electrode and let it stick ( as when the rod freez's to the job because it didn't strike up the arc)

Then pull it out.

and the ball bearing will probably ark across to the return and weld it in

 

[Agroshield]

and the ball bearing will probably ark across to the return and weld it in

Could you use another electrode connected to the earth and make sure it is touching the ball? Then the pixies only dance across the ball and not into the surround. A 4mm 7018 is probably not a good choice in this situation.

 

[500e]

As a last resort, maybe. The springs are tiny, only about 2mm in diameter.

Spring supplier, after drill change all of them and balls

Spring man. Ghraham Durnall <sales@springsdirect.co.uk>

 

[Gavlar]

It's out. As soon as the arc struck, it pinged across the room! Thanks all.

 

[Seadog]

Along with the spring?

 

[Blobber]

try tapping the flange from the front, tapping on the rear will pull it in