Quote:
Originally Posted by sneakyimp
Jim, I have no access to a machine shop unless I go out and pay someone. I have basic carpentry tools no lathe. I might be able to get access to a wood shop but I can't go machining anything unless I hire someone. I like your idea of bearings and a tube, but I'm having trouble understanding how to get the bearings mounted. All the cool-looking bearings with axial load support don't seem to have a housing (or shielding or sealing).
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We live to help others, especially if it's a neat design challenge
I think you'll find that a ball bearing that is not specified to be an axial bearing, can actually support a significant axial load for quite a while.
I suggest going to the hardware stores near you and see if they have any cheap flanged ball bearings, hopefully less than $10 each. Then see if you can find a steel rod or tube that will fit inside, and another that the bearing will fit into. You might need to visit a steel supplier, some welding shops sell cut lenths of various sizes of steel. Our local Ace hardware has a pretty good selection of stuff like this. It seems to be impossible to find it online (at least in a quick search), but if you find the hardware section with all the plastic hinged lid bins for bearings, and ask for the steel, you should eventually find them.
Keep oil in the bearings, they should be fine