Stick Blender Bearing Failure

The business end of a cheap stick blender we bought a year ago to replace the previous stick blender (*):

This one failed just slightly beyond the duration of its one-year warranty, apparently with one of the shaft bearings seized to the extent of making the blade un-turnable even by (carefully protected) finger force.

With nothing to lose (and a new blender inbound), it stood in the Basement Shop in that orientation for a week while I dripped penetrating oil around the shaft and wiggled the blade slightly back-and-forth. The bearing eventually broke free and the blade turned reluctantly.

Still having nothing to lose, I gave the shaft a few shots with a drift punch, moving it a few millimeters in each direction. This apparently disturbed the seized bearing just enough to let it turn less reluctantly, with more penetrating oil improving the situation.

Mixing a jar of water went well, even on high speed, but I doubt the bearing is in good health. We decided a blender with penetrating oil tucked up inside should be disqualified for food processing.

When it first locked up, I bought a significantly more expensive stick blender, knowing full well more money does not imply better design / better materials / more QC. This one is now designated as a Cold Backup blender for garden & shop use.

(*) For the record, my 3D printed shaft adapter failed while converting garden tomatoes into thick & zesty pizza sauce. I’m unsurprised PETG-CF wasn’t up to the task.