Better bearings?

[capthook]

I'm looking for bearing recommendations and suppliers.

I've been using in-line/skateboard bearings for my projects.  They spin great, are easy to source and cheap.

The difference in spin among brands/ratings are significant.  An ABEC 1 is poor.  An ABEC 7 is much better.  But even 2 different brands of ABEC 7 will spin differently.
The BEST is Bones Swiss!
However, the bore size of skate bearings is small (ID- inner dimension): 8mm (about 5/16")
Now I'm looking for a bore size of 1/2" or 5/8".

I've tried a number of other bearings: pillow blocks, flange, trailer hubs, insert and needle. 
On a scale of 1 to 10, Bones Swiss is a 10,  ABEC 7 is a 7, then all these others are like a 2.
They are packed in heavy grease and are designed mostly for being driven by large horsepower.

So I'm looking for bearings with spin like the Bones Swiss - but have a bore size of like 1/2" or 5/8".

I get most of my stuff from:

MSC: http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRHM
and
Grainger: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/start.shtml
and super priced pillow blocks etc. from
http://www.thebigbearingstore.com

Without having a bearing in my hand to spin - I don't know how it performs.

What bearings should I use?
Any bearings suit the bill from the links I gave?
Any other US supplier links?
What bearings have YOU had success with and recommend?
Comments?

Thanks!

[nightlife]

 I too have been looking for the best bearings to use for a design I am building and it has led me in the direction of designing one that uses magnets in the place of bearings. I am not sure how well it will work or how long it will work but I am thinking of giving it a try.

[capthook]

Interesting idea!  Magnetic bearings are the 'holy grail' for some.  Eliminating friction would make so many things possible!

The problem is keeping the shaft centered.
Current magnetic bearings use powerful, watt hungry electromagnets to accomplish this.
Achieving this with permanent magnets only would be awesome indeed.

Could you explain your pic a little more?  I don't fully understand.....especially the right side.

- - -
Finding lots of additional on-line bearing suppliers, with lots of bearing choices....... but again - without holding them - not sure how to make any selections.  As much $$ as I've spent over the last 2 years on different bearings - I'm not keen on getting any more crappy ones  (need some super-low drag for the attempt at OU)

The flange bearings I got last week ( 5/8" bore - self-aligning) might be fine for driving a fan in a chicken coop with a large electric motor, but the bearing quality and heavy grease means they turn pretty tight.

[nightlife]

capthook, The right side picture is of a centering magnet that would be fastened to the shaft and there would be one for each side and positioned on the inside to keep the stationary shaft centered as well as to keep the other magnets aligned properly. The inner magnet of the two that would act as the bearing would also be fastened to the shaft and the outer would be fixed to the wheel that would be rotating. The pressure of the like poles would keep it all centered.

[X00013]

google, "ceramic bearing", be prepared to pay $ 75 US or more a bearing assembly, 99.999999% efficientcy cost money!!!, well worth it when going for overunity.( I used them in my drag bike, (( worth 1/10 of a second in the quarter)) I used to get mine from a guy in New Jersey working third shift, custom made, any size or shape, the ceramic balls came from Japan and he would assemble them in his Jersey factory, on the side for cash. Its been some time ( lost his number). if you r interested and you have no luck on ur own, i can track him down. just pm me, give me a couple days