[TowerTalk] New Sheaves for Crank-Up

[Charlie Gallo]

On 8/25/2013 Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:

> Brass was mentioned, but it's usually "Oil light" which is a porous 
> Bronze, not Brass.  If the axle is a good fit and smooth these last 
> quite well even with an off center load as long as the off axis is not
> extreme. OTOH 0.45" is getting pretty narrow for much off center load.
> I've never seen commercial bearings of regular brass although I'm sure
> they exist. I'd not expect them to be anywhere near as durable as "oil
> light", or bronze bearings which you mentioned with SS sheaves.

And one of the interesting things is that Oilite bearings actually hold up under static shock loads (think wind loading on a tower cable that doesn't move that often) MUCH MUCH better than ball or roller bearings.  Ball/Roller bearings will Brinell (develop flat spots in the balls/race) due to shock/vibration loading if not regularly rotating

Many places today where oillite was used in the past now use one of the engineering plastics like turcite, Rulon, Torlon  (and a lot of others) depending on use.  They usually never need lubrication (Oilite should be oiled occasionally depending on use).  The BIGGEST problem with some of these plastics is COST.  

Sigh - as usual, good stuff costs


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Charlie
www.baysidephoto.com
www.thegallos.com