"Brian Lawson" wrote in message
...
Hey James,

Assuming the base is fixed to the ground, is there any chance the
"bottom" of the piece is "hollow" vertically for a distance, say over
a foot? I've had good success with a system where the "bearing" is
mounted high.

Imagine a 5 gallon pail inverted, with a bearing at the now highest
point, and the bearing mounted to the ground (base) by a "pole".
Imagine a "pole" mounted in the ground, or on a base in the ground,
and about a foot or so high (higher the better), with a roller
bearing at the top of the "pole", and the "pail" turned upside down
over all this. Keeps the bearing high, and dry.

If this doesn't make sense, lemme know and I'll send off a DWG or IGES
of it.

Take care.

Brian Lawson,
Bothwell, Ontario.
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On Wed, 01 Sep 2004 09:04:07 -0700, 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

Having had experience maintaining playground 'merry-go-rounds' the bearing
system is really simple. A pipe in anchored in the ground. The top is capped
and the cap has a half-round depression machined in it. The rotating stuff
is mounted on another pipe, a close fit to the anchored pipe. It too is
capped with a half-round depression machined in the *inside* of the cap.
Typically the half-round depressions are slightly less than 1/2 of a 1 inch
radius. A one inch bearing ball is placed on the top of the anchored pipe.
The **** is greased out of everything and the rotating part is dropped over
the assembly (a hiab is preferred if one cannot come up with a half dozen
'grunt assistants'). Thus is created a rotating assembly that will withstand
the best efforts of all children whose mission in life is to destroy such
equipment. Not having to deal with a horde of children a disc of nylon or
UHMWPE could easily replace the bearing ball and its attendant
complications.
Regards.
Ken.