Lining up bearings on a suspension link

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

I may have got the terminology wrong in the title, not sure what to call it.

I want to make links to support the wheels of a submarine snail-shell chariot, as all of us have to do at some time in our lives I expect. What I have in mind is something like this:

My plan (or quite possibly half-baked idea) is to weld the frame and somehow drill/bore holes for the bearings. I'm not sure how to go about getting the bearing holes lined up accurately though.

Any suggestions about the best way of doing this would be welcome.

Robin

Edit – to give an idea of scale it's 3/8th thick section. Bearings 26mm diameter.

 

 

Edited By Robin Graham on 26/10/2018 21:22:17

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

[Chris GunnParticipant @chrisgunn36534]

Robin, I would make the links and drill/ream the holes for the bearings, just put the end of the reamer through so the hole is tight. then make a pin to fit the holes, assemble it all with the pin in place, weld, remove the pin, fettle the welds, then run the reamer through both holes to size, and the job is done.

Chris Gunn

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Are they on stub axles? If so, fix as a single axle and cut out the not-needed part when otherwise fully assembled. If the bearings are fitted within the side elements, make them with a dummy shaft, if you are unable to bore them afterwards.

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

I think welding would be a mistake. It would cause the ends of the long members to deflect inward. Hold it together with pins and silver braze. When you have the chassis cleaned up just mount it in the vise and drill through undersized. Then ream or bore through in the axle holes. It can all be done in one setting in the mill or lathe.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

What on earth is a "submarine snail shell chariot"? And what is it used for? A fish tank decoration or deep sea defence ordnance? Even google does not reveal this one.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Hopper on 27/10/2018 01:13:48:

What on earth is a "submarine snail shell chariot"? And what is it used for? A fish tank decoration or deep sea defence ordnance? Even google does not reveal this one.

**LINK**

http://www.icollector.com/Circa-1830s-40s-Dore-Bronze-Mantel-Clock_i28221003

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

To save welding or brazing, you could bolt it together with counter bored holes for some 10 32 x 1/2", or 5 mm x 12 mm cap screws, 2 into each end of the spacers.

Ian S C

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Wow, that's some fancy clock. I like it. Thanks for the link, Michael.

Although I'm not sure where the OP'd wheels fit in, it would seem silver soldering or screwing together would be more in line with that type of fine work than getting out the arc welder and distorting things with massive heat.

That said, you might be able to get away with strong tack welds if you bevel the join areas on the ends of the short pieces and file a bevel on the long bits where the short ones sit. Then markout and drill the axle holes in one setting each end. Depends on how critical distortion etc is, which is hard to say without understanding how this piece fits into the rather fine piece in Michael G's link.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

… 'without understanding how this piece fits into the rather fine piece in Michael G's link'.

Got me confused too; can't 'Fathom' ( excuse the pun ) the assembly

Geo.

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

Posted by Hopper on 27/10/2018 01:13:48:

What on earth is a "submarine snail shell chariot"? And what is it used for? A fish tank decoration or deep sea defence ordnance? Even google does not reveal this one.

I'm not surprised Google is is silent on this – the project is a bit hush-hush, national security and all that. However, I have clearance to reveal this much:

 

It's called the Nautilus for obvious reasons, and will probably change the face of of naval warfare.

This was one of those embarrassing questions where the solution becomes obvious after sleeping on it. I can do what I want by making up the frame then drilling/boring on the faceplate – I just forget that I have that resource because I rarely work with awkwardly shaped parts. Learning (slowly) though!

Thanks for suggestions of alternative ways of fixing the bits together. Truth to tell my decision to weld was to do with having bought a welder for another project and being so pleased with my new toy that I want to weld everything at every opportunity. I'll get over it I expect.

Robin.

 

 

 

 

Edited By Robin Graham on 29/10/2018 23:12:37

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