[Syrupmakers] cane mill bearings

[Raymond Weaver]

    Richard, that sounds like a great deal ! You probably have your machinist "bought-into" the project. There are several ways to go. I only know about machined brass. Your approach sounds very interesting. The original bearings appear to have been all cast brass but babbitt or nylon replacement bearings may be even better. They are definitely NOT original. The bottom of the journals sit in cast iron boxes or "cups" with brass "half-sleeve" inserts. There were originally no shims under the journals.  No "thrust" bearing is needed on the bottom end of the journals because it only turns at about 2 rpm. Wear is minimal. 
    On every old vertical mill I have seen it appears that the top of the roller has been tightened but the bottom has NOT. This wears the bottom journal very badly. Often the journal has worn completely through the bottom of the brass bearing and well into the cast iron. ( Is this what you mean by "wedge-shaped" ).This means that for a long time the roller surfaces have not been parallel. Cane going through low on the rollers has not been adequately squeezed. It may be that the bottom adjustment tends to stick with age. That is just a guess.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard Harrison 
  To: syrupmakers at syrupmakers.net 
  Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 7:29 AM
  Subject: Re: [Syrupmakers] cane mill bearings


  J T,
     I am wondering if you are talking about the bearing which is brass or babbitt-poured, or if you are talking about the whole thing--with the bearing box which is behind the sleeve or babbitt ?  
     The bottom bearings that I have seen are usually babbitt-poured(which a machine shop AND individuals can do themselves). Let someone else advise you on the bottom bearings.......by the way, nylon or teflon can be used for the top bearings I'm sure. They will last "a lifetime". A machine shop can do them for under $25 each. My machine shop man said he could do the box and bearing for $25 on my mill.
                                                           Richard

  DBACrownhoney at aol.com wrote:
    OK, I'll try that. How much does that cost at a machine shop? 
    And the ottom bearing look like they're wedge shaped.(I can't remember what the right word is for that)
    Can a machine shop make them also?


    JT





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