RainLover wrote:
Hey everyone.

I'm building a sculpture and the client wants to be able to turn it if
he wants. It'll weigh around 300 lbs.

I want a large round track with bearings for ease of turning...
probably around a 2' or 2.5' diameter. It will be under the base, so
it won't be exposed to direct weather, but it will be exposed to
moisture and some dirt/leaves/whatever even though it'll be on a plate
itself.

I was thinking brass or stainless steel, but I don't know what's
normal? Would regular steel work if it was greased up well? It would
probably never get RE-greased, but then again, it's never going to
spin at 100 RPMs.. just be shifted around from time to time.

Any suggestions on local (seattle/tacoma) or online suppliers?

Thank you!!!

James, Seattle (port orchard), Washington, USA, Earth


You didn't say what the sculpture will look like, but your using the
word "building" makes it sound like it might be a welded assembly.

Any chance you could integrate a central tube, like a foot or so of 1/2"
or 3/4" steel pipe with a capped upper end, into the sculpture and just
lower that over a slightly longer appropriate diameter rod sticking up
from the base, or maybe just set the rod in concrete in the ground?

Some grease and maybe a piece of brass sitting on top of the rod ought
to give you all the bearing you'll need for occasional rotation, and the
"covering" design and small bearing radius would make it unlikely that
corrosion would jam it up enough to be even noticed.

Good luck,

Jeff

--
Jeff Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"