Aardvark wrote:
On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:09:49 -0700, Father Haskell wrote:


I recall hearing that another advantage is the extra weight/density of
cast iron, which gives the wheels more inertia, like flywheels.
Which dampens vibrations and helps machinery last longer. Not sure why
trunnions would need more inertia, though.

Possibly he meant momentum. Extra momentum in a rotating piece of cast
iron would minimise 'slowdown' in the blade when entering a workpiece
that's higher in moisture or denser or harder (like hitting a knot).

"Trunnions" don't rotate, however...

"Mass" would be the most likely relevant property related for them as
well as simply more strength/rigidity if as previous hypothesized the
former tended to be undersized so they flexed under load or warped when
locking in place...

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