meehanite

[old wrinklyParticipant @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

[old wrinklyParticipant @oldwrinkly]

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

I can't see there being much of a problem. Meehanite is a trade name for various grades of cast iron.

Russell.

[Neil WyattModerator @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

[old wrinklyParticipant @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

[Neil WyattModerator @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

[Neil WyattModerator @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

[Clive HartlandParticipant @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

[old wrinklyParticipant @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

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Thanks for the link Neil, I never did get my head round the 'new' numbers.

Brian

[Ian S CParticipant @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

[Clive HartlandParticipant @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.

[old wrinklyParticipant @oldwrinkly]

Hi all, many thanks guys, off to the workshop/small shed, OOPS mothering sunday derek

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