- Joined
- May 21, 2016
- Messages
- 9
Im getting ready to build a Furling for my buddies sail boat. It will require one possibly two thrust bearings or washers on its internal cone. The thrust load will be moderately high but RPMS will be low. It will see direct ocean spray rain and elements.
If you dont know a Furling is a basically a caged spool that rope allowing a sail to roll in and out ( open or closed) so its a pulley that allows this rope to move freely at a sail.
It will be made out of aluminum and the assembly will be about 8” long and 6 or 7 “ in diameter the spool will live inside this. id love it if I could find a needle or ball bearing thrust bearing assembly that salt water will not harm but it seems to be harder to accomplish than I had hoped. I still have yet to find a bearing that is made of the appropriate stainless to survive. There is possibly a supplier in the UK but im hoping to find something id see in a week. I could machine brass washers for this or even just utilize a thrust washer for a propeller but a roller bearing would allow for much less friction. I am thinking if I have to make a flat thrust washer id drill through the hub and create a greaseable fitting for it so it could be lubed periodically.
Any thoughts are appreciated
If you dont know a Furling is a basically a caged spool that rope allowing a sail to roll in and out ( open or closed) so its a pulley that allows this rope to move freely at a sail.
It will be made out of aluminum and the assembly will be about 8” long and 6 or 7 “ in diameter the spool will live inside this. id love it if I could find a needle or ball bearing thrust bearing assembly that salt water will not harm but it seems to be harder to accomplish than I had hoped. I still have yet to find a bearing that is made of the appropriate stainless to survive. There is possibly a supplier in the UK but im hoping to find something id see in a week. I could machine brass washers for this or even just utilize a thrust washer for a propeller but a roller bearing would allow for much less friction. I am thinking if I have to make a flat thrust washer id drill through the hub and create a greaseable fitting for it so it could be lubed periodically.
Any thoughts are appreciated