Precision spacers. Expensive, but worth the money

**JBH** · 08-31-2009 08:59 PM

Due to recurring requests (small volume, but consistent), I have gotten another batch of precision bearing spacers made: cold-rolled steel; expertly machined, bored and ground, so the sides are perfectly parallel; slightly oversized (about .005") so they actually work. They will rust if you leave 'em wet for too long, just as your bearings will, but otherwise they should last a lifetime. If you really want your board to perform well, a set of these is well worth the money.

Sizes available:

8mm axle, standard spacing (.405")
8mm axle, "Krypto" spacing (.305")
10mm axle, standard spacing (.405")

Quantities are limited.

Price: $15.00 per set of four or $25.00 for two sets of four. To keep things relatively simple, these prices include shipping to U.S. or Canada--will ship to other countries for a slight additional cost.

Interested? Send me a PM or to the e-mail address listed at Skateboard Wheel Bearing Spacers by PrecisionSpacers.com . (Pay no attention to the "out of stock" notice. I haven't had time to ask the guy who made the website. The info on this post is correct.)

**taz0001000** · 08-31-2009 11:21 PM

what is the point of haveing a precision spacer when the wheel itself isnt anywhere near as precise?

**gregoryniss** · 08-31-2009 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by taz0001000

what is the point of haveing a precision spacer when the wheel itself isnt anywhere near as precise?

it's better for your bearings i believe

**NJ Joe** · 08-31-2009 11:42 PM

Biltins ftw

**ChrisFranco** · 08-31-2009 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by NJ Joe

Biltins ftw

exactly.
10cheapaffordableideas

**samhell** · 08-31-2009 11:54 PM

I've been down the whole precision spacers road once before as some
may remember with race west spacers and speedrings..
Part of the reason that didn't work out was becuase it was
insanely expensive to get them made in hardened stainless steel..
I still have a few sets, and they were worth every penny...
The ones I was getting made were great and the speed rings
made it the full deal... But they time consuming to make,
and thet weren't simple like yours..
I'll definately be interested in some of these...
I understand th evalue of these all to well....
Thanks for making these..

**JBH** · 09-01-2009 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by taz0001000

what is the point of haveing a precision spacer when the wheel itself isnt anywhere near as precise?

That's a legitimate question. I've asked it myself many a time. Individual wheels do indeed vary. If you wanted to be REALLY precise, you would measure the spacing on each wheel and have a spacer custom made to that spacing, or perhaps a thousandth or two over. I doubt many people will have the time, money or patience to do that. On average, however, most wheels are actually pretty close to the nominal .400" spacing--close enough that a truly precisely made spacer will result in a noticeable difference. It's probably partly due to a tightly controlled length and partly due to its having truly parallel sides--both of which are pretty rare in most generic bearing spacers.

That's the long answer. The short answer is that they just...work...better. Your wheels are quieter and ride smoother. They spin longer and more freely. They let you more or less forget about that particular aspect of your setup. They just work.

Does everyone need them? No. Not at all. Do those who've tried them so far think they've been worth the money? As far as I know, yes. With the other batches I had made, I offered a money-back guarantee if you bought a set and didn't like them--and you got to keep the spacers anyway. Of some 200+ sets I sold to more than 100 different people, not one person took me up on it.

You're still free to question what I've said. But that's been my experience and the experience of others. Hope that helps.

**gavmck** · 09-01-2009 03:41 AM

No email address there? Does that mean these are gone? I would be interested in some...

**Shore** · 09-02-2009 12:31 AM

my crappy aluminum spacers are crap. i went on sf just to see if someone was making some dope 10mm spacers, and i found him! give us an e-mail address, ill buy a couple sets

**JamieReis** · 09-02-2009 12:40 AM

As will I. It's not easy to come by precision spacers and if I'm going to shell out all of the money for precision trucks, it would be stupid for me not to spend $25 to make them work to the best of their abilities. I'd need two sets of 10mm spacers.

**JBH** · 09-04-2009 12:53 AM

D'OH!!!

I thought it was still on there. My fault for not looking at it carefully enough since the (old) "out of stock" message got put up. I definitely have some available, in the three sizes I mention above.

j b h 1 2 3 *at* g mail dot com (remove the spaces).

I'm at Maryhill until Sunday, then won't be back for a couple more days. Will respond to inquiries after that. Once again, my apologies for the missing e-mail address.

**enemy combatant** · 09-04-2009 01:36 AM

I have two sets of JBH spacers (krypto and regular) and they are indeed fine pieces of equipment.

**NJ Joe** · 09-04-2009 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by enemy combatant

I have two sets of JBH spacers (krypto and regular) and they are indeed fine pieces of equipment.

troll.

**TehSuck** · 09-04-2009 08:41 PM

CNC access 24/7 FTW

**enemy combatant** · 09-04-2009 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by NJ Joe

troll.

I only wish he made them twelve thousandths over instead of five. Some bearing seats are still too far apart or too tight to be able to seat properly without an extra speed ring being thrown in there. And that is just too much of a PITA for anyone other than a slalomite.

**JBH** · 09-10-2009 12:24 AM

Sorry to hear the .405s didn't work well enough for you, e.c. I've never had that experience myself, but I don't doubt that you did. I actually did have a few .410s made in the 2006 batch, but they didn't seem to be needed on the wheels I had at the time--and I don't know what happened to them in the meantime. Maybe you can get someone to turn those wheels into bushings for you!

**enemy combatant** · 09-10-2009 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by JBH

Sorry to hear the .405s didn't work well enough for you, e.c.

I should have said "slalomite or someone with OCD like me!" 8) (i went to slalom race once. I prolly caught the disease there...)

Rest assured that your spacers have now been fitted to wheels in which they work. Everything torqued down nice and tight and still spinning freely.

**8ftbed** · 09-10-2009 11:17 AM

I'm glad you corrected yourself there . ^^ I thought I had yet another label to hang around my neck.

(see as how once I discovered adding a speedring here and there was a good thing)

EC oh hoarder of knowledge big and small - what's a good source for speedrings in quantity. Not the 8-pack-nickle-and-dime-you-to-death packs?

**Bombsquad_Manny** · 09-10-2009 11:41 AM

So why not Biltins?
Really.

**easy** · 09-10-2009 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Bombsquad_Manny

So why not Biltins?
Really.

The real advantage with Biltins is the convenience; they are reasonably durable, and roll pretty well. Almost all of my wheels are rolling on them, 90 per cent of the time, you won't notice, but there are plenty of bearings that are faster, some significantly faster (especially snugged up with spacers and speedrings). General use, nothing beats the ease of use of Biltins, but if you need (or just want) to squeeze the most speed you can out of your setup, "fast" (ask around or search) clean bearings, precision spacers and speed rings is the way to go.