I really need some help in finding a place to start to get self
educated on bearings, shafts, and tubes. I've been welding metal
together for the last year, mostly stainless that I get from the junk
yard. I've boldly called it sculpture, but only when I was lucky enough
to find a piece of scrap or cutout that by coincidence looked good when
welded together. I am now planning on a series of kinetic or moving
sculptures. What I am looking to do (at least initially) is a counter
balanced piece that is long with a pivot point near or at the center of
gravity, pivoting on a tube, bearing and shaft type arrangement. Simple
tube and shaft arrangements (sans bearings) will not really work
because of the friction involved. I have a great resource for scrap
material, so I wouldn't want to get into purchasing a lot of virgin
materials. However, bearings and similar items at the junk yard are
just sometimes not worth the time and effort to re-engineer for a new
purpose. Also, found items seldom match up perfectly, all complicated
by the fact exact measurements are seldom known. How would I go about
this? Find shafts and tubes that are in what proportion to allow a
bearing to fit? Start with a bearing? Then match tube and shaft? I need
a "Bearings for Dummies" book or similar resource(s). Any help here
will be greatly appreciated. BTW, I have a mini mill, and a 7x12 lathe.
I'm a total novice operating those however. Thanks.
-Mike (in St. Louis)