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Unread 07-10-2010, 03:35
sneakyimp sneakyimp is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Re: lazy susan type bearing? thrust bearing?

I ordered from McMaster.com. I put a lot of effort into keeping the price down.

I just received everything but the bronze bushings. Interestingly, the shaft came slathered in goo, wrapped in a bag, and then wrapped yet again in some plastic netting. I'm thinking the goo is there to fight rust while in storage.

The shaft fits nicely inside everything. This makes me happy that I bought a precision shaft.

I put the 5" pully from grainger on the end of the shaft with the set screw and gave everything a spin.

The flange-mounted bearing from Grainger (#1A396) is probably strong enough to do this all by itself and looks and feels really solid. Given that it's a radial bearing and can support a static load of over 1000 lbs, I would imagine it could probably do the job all by itself. It's a sealed bearing so it doesn't spin all that well, but it's lower friction than the 6" lazy susan I originally tried for $5. It's also utterly quiet.

The thrust bearing (#6655K17) just totally RULES. EXTREMELY low friction, no sound at all. I fed the shaft (with hub) through it and held the bottom washer and gave it a spin and it will just spin forever. I mean it just goes and goes. I definitely think I'll use this one. The only concern I have is protecting this bearing from dust and/or moisture.

The flanged bearing (#6383K234) is not so great. It is not particularly low-friction and not particularly quiet. It is, however, very affordable and I believe I can let the thrust bearing rest on the flanged surface if I can find a washer that:
* has outer diameter of precisely 1.25"
* is 1/8" thick or more
* has inner diameter large enough to accommodate the inner race of the flanged bearing -- I'm wondering if 5/8" will be enough or whether I'll need 11/16".

The shaft is more or less perfect (albeit not stainless) and the shaft collars work just fine (but are also not stainless). I'm enormously impressed with the compatibility of all the parts from McMaster and Grainger. I'm guessing this is what tolerances are all about.

Now I'm seeking a proper washer for the thrust bearing to rest on the flanged bearing and also some means to house the thrust bearing to keep dust out. Ideas are welcome. Thrust bearing's outer diameter is 15/16" and the flange bearing's outer (flange) diamter is 1.25" with the narrow part below being 1.125".

Bushings (bronze sleeve bearings) arrive tomorrow.

Really psyched about all the feedback here. I'd never have had the confidence to order this stuff without the awesome feedback.

AdamHeard, when you say 'open bearing,' I'm guessing you're referring to the flanged radial bearing. That bearing seems necessary because the wind is going to be exerting a horizontal force on my wind turbine so we need to bear some radial load. The thrust bearing (which I totally love) is merely to support the weight of the turbine and this force is likely to be much less than the horizontal force.