[TowerTalk] Thrust bearing thread

[Charlie Gallo]

BTW - you realize that that bearing is NOT a thrust bearing, and is NOT really rated for axial loads - BEST case (using a grub screw type on an unhardend shaft), that bearing is rated for 20% of it's radial load

THRUST bearings are generally a tapered roller bearing, OR a T shaped solid bearing (if they need to handle both radial and axial loads) and like a washer if they ONLY need to handle axial loads.

My whole thought in starting the thread was not for a CHEAPER way (there are always cheap ways to do things), but a better way "How can we make a bearing for ham use that will NEVER fail, NEVER need maintenance" ( where 'Never' is defined as the life of the antenna system)

I do NOT know how my Yaesu trust bearing is build, abut the way the 'stiction' felt when it was on the ground, it felt greased, but it IS possible it's one of the bearing plastics

I don't know about you, but personally, I'm old, fat, and can't climb any more - my thoughts in life is "once something is up in the air, I hope it never ever has to be serviced" - so I don't look for bearings with grease fittings - I want a bearing that will never need to be maintained.  I KNOW what kind of loads things like rulon can take - hint, they stick it in the bedways of lathes and mills, where the thrustload of 40-50 HP (on a big mill) is transmitted to the bed via that 'plastic", and it works as well as the classic cast iron on cast iron worked

On 10/14/2011 w8zn at comcast.net wrote:

> 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


-- 
73 de KG2V - Charles Gallo
Quality Custom Machine-shop work for the radio amateur (sm)