WCD Bearing Blocks

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Boe

how often do you need to re-tighten the chains or does it typically stay in place all season after you tighten them the first time

The bearing blocks stay in place after properly tightening them and the cam, if that's what you're asking.

The only reason you would need to re-tension is to deal with the chain stretching slightly over time as it loosens up.

[craigboez]

Thanks for all the explanation. I never realized that the sideplates actually clamped the bearing block in place. The cam tensioners make a lot more sense now.

[ablatner]

Originally Posted by craigboez

Thanks for all the explanation. I never realized that the sideplates actually clamped the bearing block in place. The cam tensioners make a lot more sense now.

Usually the side plates actually ARE the bearing blocks. The bearings are in the two side plates which fasten together from opposite sides of the tubing.

[craigboez]

Originally Posted by ablatner

Usually the side plates actually ARE the bearing blocks. The bearings are in the two side plates which fasten together from opposite sides of the tubing.

It sounds like there are two common ways to create the bearing block assembly.

1. Use two sideplates and a block of aluminum. The bearings go in the aluminum block, the sideplates hold it all together and clamp it in place. The machining for this setup is relatively simple.
2. The two sideplates become the bearing block and are constrained coaxially with a short piece of thick walled tubing that connects them. The machining for this setup is comparatively complex.

Is that a fair statement? If so, what are the benefits to method #2?

[ablatner]

I've never actually seen #1.

[Nate Laverdure]

Originally Posted by ablatner

I've never actually seen #1.

The Team 221 "Universal Chassis" uses this design.

This is a neat concept along the same vein.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

The Team 221 "
This is a neat concept along the same vein.

Given that those already have to be CNC machined there's not a lot of benefit to doing it that way than the way we do ours.

[Jeffy]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

The Team 221 "Universal Chassis" uses this design.

This is a neat concept along the same vein.

I like these a lot.

If you created the center block with a single through hole and made the side plates with a larger hole in them to accommodate for the flange then you could make these without flipping the stock.

And if you have a drill bit at 1.125 and 1.25, you could do it without CNC work.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by ablatner

I've never actually seen #1.

We run #1. CAD in sig. 09 was unique, 10 and 11 were new design.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by ablatner

I've never actually seen #1.

Jabba made one like this while mentoring for 931 several seasons back.

They refined the design and used it a couple of times since, I think.

[MichaelBick]

Originally Posted by craigboez

It sounds like there are two common ways to create the bearing block assembly.

1. Use two sideplates and a block of aluminum. The bearings go in the aluminum block, the sideplates hold it all together and clamp it in place. The machining for this setup is relatively simple.
2. The two sideplates become the bearing block and are constrained coaxially with a short piece of thick walled tubing that connects them. The machining for this setup is comparatively complex.

Is that a fair statement? If so, what are the benefits to method #2?

The biggest benefit to #2 is weight. We've gone both routes(2012 #1 using sponsors because we didn't have a mill in house, 2013 #2 buying from WCP). If you have a CNC #2 is fine, but it isn't necessary by any means. You can do #1 super simply. When we did it, we didn't even do chamfers on the center block and our sideplates could have been made with a chopsaw. Depending on your teams resources you can make the blocks marginally more complex(chamfering the blocks means you don't have to file as much later, waterjetting sideplates is a small weight savings and they look a bit nicer). Either way works, and the method you choose completely depends on your team and its resources.