Re: ATM Bearings- (free if you need)-

["David Harbour" <scarab@peakonline.com>]

Thanks for note, Frank-

I've decided to get up a picture gallery/catalogue page for the site, and
that way people can browse for something that they think might be applicable
for their needs. I'll have a thumbnail with a description and specs, and it
will be linked to an 800 X 600 picture with the bearing (or bearing set) and
perhaps my six inch Starrett ruler in the picture, and perhaps "Joe" (my
little G.I. Joe soldier) to help convey the scale of the thing.

The largest fork mounting that I ever built (no surviving pictures, except
on a video tape) had a massive laminated cruciform pywood polar axle running
on the north end in a huge water well drilling table tapered roller bearing,
and the cruciform axle had a two inch O.D. galvanaized steel pipe (buried
half its length in the wooden part of the axle) extension on the south end-
I did not machine it at all- left the old rough galvanizing on it, and
simply turned the required number of glass fibre tape wraps around it for a
snug fit  to carry a large double race ball bearing down there on the south
end. It is easy to avoid machining requirements even when mounting a large
polar axle. This colossal mounting which carried my second mirror (an f/8
12.5") tracked smooth and accurately. Pretty good for an old wood butcher
with some big bearings and some glass fibre tape.

I'll post another note about this to all very soon.-

Wellness and clear skies for you, Frank-
Dave


----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Ward" <thewards@mindspring.com>
To: "David Harbour" <scarab@peakonline.com>
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: ATM Bearings- (free if you need)-


> David,
>
> This is the right time of year for it.  Three years ago this
> summer a friend was told by his supervisor to inventory
> and throw out all the bearings that they didn't ever use
> or would never sell.  He gave me a half ton pick truck load of
> new bearings.  I announced it just like you just did.......
> and made up over forty packages to send around the
> country and Europe. Make sure to get your postage
> or you will be spending big bucks.  I gave away over
> $20,000 worth.......and had a wonderful time doing it.
>
> Frank
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: David Harbour <scarab@peakonline.com>
> To: <atm@shore.net>
> Sent: Friday, August 03, 2001 5:21 PM
> Subject: ATM Bearings- (free if you need)-
>
>
> >
> > To all:
> >
> > I've decided to give away my lifetime collection of "salvage" and
> "surplus"
> > bearings. I have a goodly supply, and I have built my last telescope.
So,
> I
> > think I will begin to measure them for a catalogue that will describe
and
> > give dimensions. in fact, I think I will photograph them, too, for a
sort
> of
> > little catalogue. I have learned an amazing thing over the years in my
> > experience as an ATM, about bearings: Almost any bearing can be used for
> an
> > application that it is generally designed for, or will adequately
> substitue
> > for without requiring any machining to mount it, and usually any odd lot
> > bearing that is approximately the right size will work. (I.e., the
bearing
> > does not need ot be narrowly specified). I know all the ways. Old guy
> stuff,
> > old guy machinist stuff. I've got a goodly collection, including several
> > matched sets of four , six, etc.
> >
> > I'll keep you guys posted. I don't want any of these (they are all good,
> > useable bearings) lying around for someone to have to take to a landfill
> > when I croak. They need homes. I will start the cataloguing project soon
> (I
> > don't have anything else to do) Ha! Ha! (sure- "how about the dishes,
> honey?
> > Or the laundry? Please run and get me a couple of tacos?"))
> >
> > "Orphaned bearings, looking for loving homes, serving as slaves in some
> ATM
> > guys' scopes"
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> >
> >
>