Quote:

---

That's a big mount Rob! Lookin good as far as I can tell. Though that is hardly an endorsement since I'm ignorant of mechanical stuff and easily impressed (grin).

There was earlier discussion of ball bearings for big mounts. Not exactly new tech, but of course brass bearings have served well even longer, at least since the age of steam.

Since I don't know nothin about the topic and would like to learn... Am curious what factors made you decide to use brass bearings with grease fittings, rather than ball bearings? Seems either would work fine. Just curious about design reasoning in this application.

---

Well several reasons. One reason is I can get more surface area contact with brass/bronze bearings. If machined to very fine tolerances...these bearings work exceptionally well. Second...Roller bearings require you to engineer the mount a bit bigger to accomodate the bearing outer dimeter.

Ball bearings are best for axis that are moving at speed, and when low friction is paramount. In my application, brass bearings are the ticket. And I am making the top bearing part of the *housing* and can use the mass of the bearing structure to be *part* of the upper support.

Lastly...this is for a mount generally designed and intended for visual use. Still the tolerances are close, and movement will be smooth and slop free.

I hope there will be enough room for greese......

OH...and it was the *easiest* to machine.

Rob(I am not a skilled machinist)

--------------------
www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
Providing a great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.

Post Extras