I have used those type bearings for 35 years with good success. They
are self aligning and will not hold the mast straight, but I have always
liked to have either two of them if you have everything lined up
perfectly or at least a sleeve bearing with a little slop either at the
top or several feet down the mast in the tower to hold the mast
straight. I have never trusted the set screws to hold anything so I
install a heavy duty muffler clamp on the mast and that rests on one of
those bearings like shown in your link.
For those who want to spend the time on maintenance to use a grease gun
a couple times a year, great. I have never put any grease in one after
it is installed and have never had one fail in 35 years. The only
bearing I have ever had a problem with is currently installed on the top
plate at the top of my 15m tower and the only reason it turns is because
of the brute force of the prop pitch.
Stan, K5GO
----- Original Message -----
From: <w8zn@comcast.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 6:34 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Thrust bearing thread
> It has been interesting seeing all the posts about this. The real
> question is why would you ever use a TB3 or TB4 at $161 and $185 (from
> 3Star) when you can have a REAL bearing for only $30.98???? Made with
> REAL steel, seals and a zerk fitting?
>
> Check out
> http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-88/2%22-Four-Bolt-Flange/Detail
>
> A nice 1" thick plate of Delrin with a two inch hole cut in it using
> a hole saw from your local hardware store works really well also -
> Delrin however is way more expensive than these bearings.
>
> Terry Price - W8ZN ex K8ISK
> FM18dv - 1.8MHz thru 47GHz
> K8GP - The Grid Pirates - FM19bb
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
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