I love this hobby. It's because there's always a reason to do more. I took that one "steel wooled" bearing off to be sure I didn't leave any steel wool on it. It was free of steel wool, alright, but now has what appears to be a small "BB" depression on the surface. Like someone shot it with a Daisy Red Rider. Of course, that could only happen if despite all my care and coddling, I somehow got a spec of dirt or fine grit of some sort on the bearing shell. How careful must one be? I had rags, a light, a magnifying glass and my usual neurosis to go with it all. And, still, debris on the bearing.
Oh, well. I just ordered a new bearing set, and I start all over again. Tonight I'll check the crank, too. Someone up there wants me to have fun. I'm sure of it.