[Matt Adams]

Originally Posted by Sachiel7

Ok, here's a quick question guys. We took our pre-season vote to go ahead with my "standard" drive design (yay!)

Originally Posted by Sachiel7

But it was brought up that the idle shaft's bearings could be replaced with bronze bushings, at a cheaper cost. I'll be honest here, I've never used bushings before. What's involved with them? From what I understand you need a housing block of sorts for them. Anyway, I have 2 idle shafts. They dont spin, they provide support for the wheels and chassis. Would it be better to replace the bearings they are on with bushings?

If they're not spinning at all... sure bushings... actually, you could probably just have them rest on whatever metal they're in between. However, I'd like to see a picture or a sketch (if possible) so see how these are "supporting" the wheels and chassis. Are they just spacers?

Originally Posted by Sachiel7

Also, where can you find good, cheap bushings? I checked MSC and had trouble finding some. I need 4 (one for each support point) and they need to be for 5/8 shaft (I think it's steel) and need an outside diameter no larger than 1 inch. If someone could help me out, that'd be great. Currently, we have several 4-bolt flange bearings we're using, and they're around $26 each. So, having some of those trimmed off for bushings should help a bit, i'd suspect. But I don't want to deal with this thing falling apart at competition. We want it to last.

Well, I think that your best bet for cheap bushings are McMaster-Carr or Endco. Here's a link for the exact bushings you're looking for.

Thrust Bushings:
http://www.mcmaster.com/asp/loadpage...995&catnum=109
Flanged Bushings:
http://www.mcmaster.com/asp/loadpage...996&catnum=109

Also, sometimes companies use bushing and bearing synonymously, so searching for bronze bearings can sometimes get you what you're looking for.

Let me know if you need anything else.


Matt