Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Can we see it without the frame?

I personally prefer to tap the block and have each flange on held separately, but that's obviously up to each team to decide.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Here it is without the frame.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Is the block+plates design better than just the plates at holding the bearing axes collinear just because of the added material constraining the bolts, or is there a more complicated explanation?

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Both bearings are partially pressed into the same piece of material.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

The bearings are pressed into the same bore, so they are definitely coaxial.

I think that if the slots are cut in the frame rail that the plates become superfluous. Mk. 32, you may consider using flanged or heavy hex bolts and/or washers and omitting the side plates.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Ah, I see. Makes sense. Thank you.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

It really is a lot cleaner with the faceplates.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

I think you've found a good solution there. Keep up the good work.

-Brando

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

A few years ago, I had something like this bearing block fabricated for 931, courtesy of Jabba. He started with round bar stock.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Was that done on a manual mill?

That looks great and easy to make! Looks like you could do the bore on a manual lathe with a DRO and then the rest on a mill with DRO.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Even a drill press with a DRO if you want. You don't need a mill with DRO to face the top and bottom flat.

Or maybe center punch holes using a template and then drill that way. Precision isn't terribly vital for this kind of part.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Flats were made using a manual mill. But the first steps were cutting blanks from the round stock (band saw) and then facing and boring them so the bearings fit square (manual lathe).

And Chris is right, there are other ways to get the same result.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

Threads like this are one of the reasons I love this website so much.

The idea that a guy can post his designs on a website and people from across the world can pick apart his design and give their input on how to improve it, while the OP willingly changes his design accordingly is pretty darn awesome.

I hope this design sees a lot of success. It definitely has the potential.

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

McMaster # 9056K11 (or similar from a less expensive supplier) might be a good start for Richard's design.

Without a DRO, how would one check the bored diameter? Is the only way to start/stop the lathe constantly?

Re: pic: Team 3647 West Coast Drive
 

I would presume you'd drill the hole undersize and ream it.