When and how do you maintain your bearings?

I know it's very wasteful but generally if I remove a bearing from anything, I just replace it with a new one. The cost of oils, cleaners, grease and my time adds up to more than the cost for a new bearing. I do save the old ones, for some rainy day if I blow one and don't have a spare...

[aqwut]

Originally Posted by Electric Dave

I know it's very wasteful but generally if I remove a bearing from anything, I just replace it with a new one. The cost of oils, cleaners, grease and my time adds up to more than the cost for a new bearing. I do save the old ones, for some rainy day if I blow one and don't have a spare...

I do the same thing....

[Finnster]

Originally Posted by aqwut

I do the same thing....

Depends on what it is. Motor bearings I would be more conservative with. I still try to keep those clean. If I've taken apart my motor, those things are going in the trash.
For the general use bearings? (eg wheel bearings) Those always get dirty quickly, and I just clean them up, re-oil and put them back in. I have many 8x16 bearings that are over a yr old in my trug and my Sav and I've had to replace only a couple that were not smooth after a (sorta) regular cleaning. Damn things do get expensive after a while, but my $3 bottle of bearing oil has lasted me for 4yrs or so now and there is plenty left. My cans of WD-40 get rusty before they are empty usually. lol