Leaderboard

Bit of progress on making parts, turned up a few bronze pieces for a change, starting with a pair of captive chassis axle to wheel thrust bearings. Shaft size is 9/16" (>13mm) dia- Then drew up the front Caster wheel design, sourced some rectangular thick box section steel and started on the axial bearing. Took a slice of bronze off the 2" dia hollow bar after boring out to exactly 1" (25.4mm) first- I planned to use 5/32" bearing balls from old bearing stock like I did with the Drill Project a few years back. Calculated the number required (18) and set up for machining on the rotary table. As I was slot drilling partially through the cage plate, I had to use thin birch ply under it. Using a 'Ball Nosed Slot Drill' of the same diameter as the balls, they sit very comfortably in their respective positions- I then machined a shallow 'race' in the 2 mating bearing plates using the same table settings, leaving a running clearance on each side of the cage plate- Very pleased with the way this bit went, being my first attempt at an Axial Bearing and it all runs very smoothly (without grease) when assembled. Regards