Bearing Down

[John O’CParticipant @johnoc]

Hello Folks

Having finished the pond rebuild, bags of fun in the lovely weather up to recently, and being locked down so to speak, what's left of my mind wandered off into making the Springer tug paddle boat I have been thinking about for a year or two or more!

I have knocked together a couple of paddles and I do mean knocked together, from styrene (see picture). They may be rubbish but I want to see what happens with them apart from a lot of splashing and possible disintegration.

My question is: does anyone know where I could get the bearings and shaft. Currently it is sitting in a 5mm OD aluminium tube so that gives me the idea that the shaft diameter should be that size or thereabouts. I am thinking a bearing on each end of the shaft and a centre bearing where the shaft passes through the hull. Oh yes I need some pulleys as well. Oh and some way of fixing the paddle to the shaft

I tried Techno-bots but got the "Don't bother us at this time" response so will ensure I never do.

As usual all respectable suggestions welcome.

Stay Safe

J

Edited By John O’C on 12/04/2020 11:30:04

[John O’CParticipant @johnoc]

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi John

Have you tried fleabay for mechanical bits like Meccano or even Lego Technic, given that your model won't be running for excessive periods do you really need bearings, it might be easier to let the shafts run inside a close fitting tube with a little grease for lubrication.

The paddles look fine and as long as they engage with the water I don't see any problem with them.

Paul

[John O’CParticipant @johnoc]

Hello again

Just come off the PaddleDucks site and read about a guy who made the bearings out of "Chopping board".

Looking at the picture I posted the black shaft sticking out of my temporary tube is carbon fibre rod. If I could fix that and have the temporary shaft spinning on it???

Hmmm!

J

[John O’CParticipant @johnoc]

Hi Paul

I think you are right. No point really in going to any great expense initially given how often I sail my models.

If I use bits of old chopping board to mount the Carbon rod and let the tube spin on that with washers and grease at the ends I may have something that will work for the time I will use it.

I will still need the pulleys and the paddle fixing plates but I am thinking I can make the plates and resin them to the shaft.

Hate bodging but in this instance I may give it a go.

Cheers

J

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi John

Many years ago I used strong elastic bands as drive belts and they worked just as well as chains.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

My “go to” is Meccano. They have a 4mm shaft size and you can use a flanged pulley wheel of some sort at the back of the paddle so as use the larger diameter to glue to the spokes.

I wouldn’t bother with bearings…as long as there is a decent length of tube either side to support the shaft which you appear to have) then close fitting brass tube with a drop of oil will last you out..using a stainless shaft of course.

A meccano worm drive will do nicely for the gear department. Use a solid shaft coupling adaptor to fit on the motor shaft, and a stub of 4mm the other side to fit the worm. Can support the worm at the other side by using a slightly longer shaft.

Ashley

[John O’CParticipant @johnoc]

Hi Ashley

Never thought of a worm drive!!

I have ordered pulleys and bush wheels with bosses and am going to drill them out to fit my current tube and the paddle. Just hope the tube will take it being alloy.

If this fails I will look at your proposal. It is trial and error for me after all!

Thanks

J

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