On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:19:08 -0700, "Michael Koblic"
wrote:
I came to examine another piece of garage sale acquisition:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2768312...7608104743029/
The two pillow blocks are all part of a single casting which encloses two
ball bearings. There is a 5/8" shaft which on either side is reduced to 1/2"
and threaded 20 tpi, one side left and the other right handed. There is a
pulley in the middle like in the picture and an old v-belt around it so
someone had to have the shaft off in the past to put these on.
I can find no screws of any kind and cannot but conclude that the bearings
are press-fit into the housing. Interestingly, the shaft has a 1/16" or so
axial play within the race of the bearings but none when turning (there is
no slipping in the races).
The whole thing looked useful when I saw it and for $5 it seemed a steal.
Unfortunately, the right-hand end of the shaft has a minor bend in it. Also
the v-belt will need replacing so I cannot see my way past having to
disassemble the whole thing.
I have never taken ball bearings apart. I hit the Google and books yesterday
and am comfortable with the principles but, as with anything, God is in the
details:
1) Given the one piece construction, I shall have to hammer the shaft out of
both bearings simultaneously. Is there a way to make sure that the shaft
comes out rather than bearings with the shaft still attached? I can block up
one of the inner races but not both at the same time.
2) OTOH getting the shaft and bearings out as one unit may be a better way.
How does one make sure that this is what happens?
3) Any other helpful thoughts?
Find a piece of allthread and two nuts. Put that in the "ears" on the
left side (belt side), adjust the nuts so it's quite snug. This is
to support the casting and keep it from flexing. The nuts go inside,
not outside.
Make a plate with a hole in it to support the piece but clear the
bottom end of the shaft. The hole should be slightly larger than the
OD of the shaft.
Press on other end of shaft with hydraulic press. The shaft should
move.
Don't hammer. Hammering can result in peening. Steady force is
better.