Hex Shafts and Bearings

[ajlapp]

method which involves broaching bushings to the size of your hex and then putting that on the shaft to go in the bearing

The method mentioned above is the cheapest and fastest way to pass a hex through a round bearing. Oversize your bearing id to accept a bronze bushing with suitable side wall. Then broach the bushing to use as a sleeve for carrying the hex.

You can also find something like this. Though I do not know of a source that stocks these.

Some notes about hex shaft from a former "hex only advocate." In applications where backlash and precision are a concern, say in an arm joint assembly, hex shafts can be less then desired. A broached hole is quite accurate, but hex stock has uncontrolled dimensions and may provide a loose fit.

Milling your own hex onto your shaft will allow you to control the fit precisely, but this requires more machining capability and diminishes the main 'ease of use' advantages.

For drivetrains, where lash is not a huge deal, hex is the way to go......

Also, precision ground keyed stock is readily available and keyway broaches are cheaper than hex broaches.

Good luck.

[bmarick]

some of that shot over my head, but that makes sense

[Dick Linn]

Hey, someone want to contact these folks and find out price/availability/sizes of their hex shaft adapters? Might be a cheap solution.

http://www.bnb-industries.com/Roller...%20Bearing.htm

See middle of page.

Stock Drive Products has round sleeves with a hex hole:

www.sdp-si.com/D790/PDF/D790C04023.pdf

[sanddrag]

Small Parts sells hexagonal sleeves, but they aren't cheap.

[R.C.]

Does anyone know where to get a ball bearing with a hex in, like shown on aj's post. I was looking for a mcmaster number.

Thanks in advance.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Dick Linn

... Stock Drive Products has round sleeves with a hex hole:

www.sdp-si.com/D790/PDF/D790C04023.pdf

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Small Parts sells hexagonal sleeves, but they aren't cheap.

The Small Parts item appears to have the same properties as the SDP-SI item that Dick linked just above. The SDP-SI item is priced much lower.

AndyMark sells a very nice hex hub for $15 each.

Now if someone would offer hex shafts that are turned down to 0.4995 inch on one end...

[IKE]

Some sweet poly bearings, but no 1/2 or 3/8 hex sizes:
https://qbcbearings.com/BuyRFQ/BallB_Plastic_FC.htm#

[Dick Linn]

If any of you live near a community college that has a machining program, contact them and see if they will help with minor machining, such as rounding off the end of a hex shaft. Our local CC was delighted to help us put several of our #35 sprockets on a diet to save weight. They even gave me the mandrel they made in case we needed to do it again.

I've also had a local machine shop turn down some shafts for free.