meehanite

This topic has 12 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 26 March 2017 at 11:34 by old wrinkly.

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25 March 2017 at 10:02 #290441
old wrinkly
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@oldwrinkly
Hi all, for better or worse I have made a set of axlebox's out of meehanite, great stuff to machine but dusty. I have just been told that there could be a problem with lubrication on the steel axles (sweetpea) as anyone gone down this road. any help or suggestions would be appreciated (fit oilite bearings ????) derek
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25 March 2017 at 10:02 #8628
old wrinkly
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@oldwrinkly
25 March 2017 at 10:10 #290442
Russell Eberhardt
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@russelleberhardt48058
I can't see there being much of a problem. Meehanite is a trade name for various grades of cast iron.

Russell.
25 March 2017 at 10:28 #290448
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Has worked well for thousands of lathes over the 19th/20th centuries.

Cast iron has the benefit that it will run OK with unhardened steel spindles.

Jut make sure you oil them.

Neil
25 March 2017 at 11:00 #290457
old wrinkly
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@oldwrinkly
Hi you say unhardend steel, I have silver steel and some en8 steel, or would en3 be better Thanks for both of your replys derek
25 March 2017 at 13:04 #290477
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
There's no advantage in using silver steel unless you want to polish it up and use the ground surface as a bearing. EN8 should be good, it's medium carbon steel. EN3 is really meant for fabrications but is easier to turn to a good finish so it might be the best choice .

Neil
25 March 2017 at 13:53 #290485
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
I found this table which you might find useful:

http://www.m-machine-metals.co.uk/info_conversions.html

It doesn't explain the difference between the annealed and heat treated versions of the higher carbon steels (e.g. EN19 and EN19T) and only covers a small selection, but it should still be useful.

Neil
25 March 2017 at 14:29 #290487
Clive Hartland
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@clivehartland94829
Buy some ground mild steel, Reeves do it as thats where I got mine. Make sure you drill oil holes through the axles and blocks. I machined a small groove inside the blocks.

Clive
25 March 2017 at 14:45 #290491
old wrinkly
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@oldwrinkly
Clive I follow your meaning about cutting a grove on the inside, but drilling hole through the axle, can you please explain, how many, what size, thanks for the link neil derek
25 March 2017 at 15:18 #290493
Brian H
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@brianh50089
Thanks for the link Neil, I never did get my head round the 'new' numbers.

Brian
26 March 2017 at 10:31 #290603
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
I think the idea is to drill in from the end, then cross drill half way in the middle of the bearing area, so that oil can be squerted into the bearing.

I have seen it suggested on another forum that the top(load half) of the bearing be made of cast iron, and the bottom in brass with a well in it packed with felt to hold oil.

Ian S C
26 March 2017 at 11:06 #290613
Clive Hartland
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@clivehartland94829
As Ian says, drill in from the end and then cross drill in the center of the bearing. There should be detail of drilling down into the bearing and making a cup for oil. You can also then flush through from the end of the axle.
26 March 2017 at 11:34 #290617
old wrinkly
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@oldwrinkly
Hi all, many thanks guys, off to the workshop/small shed, OOPS mothering sunday derek
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