Setting a bearing

[Psymon]

Can someone give me some clues as to how I will seat a bearing in a Kinetic Sculpture?

I have some small bearings (sealed ball bearings). I would like these set into my sculpture but I have no idea how to do it. I know they can not be welded in as that would damage them.

 

[brightspark]

Can someone give me some clues as to how I will seat a bearing in a Kinetic Sculpture?

I have some small bearings (sealed ball bearings). I would like these set into my sculpture but I have no idea how to do it. I know they can not be welded in as that would damage them.

find some tube the right diameter to press fit the bearing in to ,weld that in to position and press in the bearing

 

[voipio]

The sculpture could be machined to take the bearings, or suitable bearing housings could be made and then integrated into the sculpture using a method "sympathetic" to the sculpture's intent, which could include shaping and e.g. screwing the housing into position. The bearings could be press-fitted into an interference-fit-sized recess, or held in place in the recess by a circlip. Alternatively, roughen up the outside surface of the bearing and use a suitable epoxy-type adhesive - though this would be the weakest fixing method. A chat with someone in an engineering workshop will probably cover a range of possibilities.

 

[Psymon]

Thanks for the rapid replies. I'll have a tinker with it tomorrow if i get time. Let you know how it all works.

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

If I was you I would try to include a degree of adjustability in the mounting. Bearings tend not to be very tolerant of misalignment.

 

[MonsterLandrover]

I have a drawer of old worn sockets for this job. I havnt had a bearing yet where I couldn't find one the right size to use as a drift.

 

[garethp]

Press fit against a step to give location and likewise a step in the shaft? I suppose the step could be a washer welded on.

I've also succesfully used loctite bearing fit on an old style mini cooper where the bearing was a light push fit in the hub.