Babbitt Bearings-Help Help Help!!!

[Threshing In IL]

I am in need of getting some babbitt bearing redone in an old threshing machine. Does anybody know of a place that still does that??? Help!!!

 

[jackinok]

check around your local machine shops.the only guy i knew here that did it retired a few years ago.anyway you could replace it with a modern brass bearing?

 

[Gary from Muleshoe]

I was just discussing this very thing with a friend who owns a machine shop and he told me that if you go to a reputable bearing supplier you can get a replacement ball bearing for most application. If not you be able to special order them.He used to make them himself but said the cost is to high these days to even attempt it anymore.

 

[Mike M]

I helped out pouring main bearings on an old cross motor engine for an old case tractor once.

It really wasn't that hard to do.

Pat Browning used to mention a Paul's Rod and Main ? should be some contact info on here somewhere ?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Google babbitt bearing service, many companies in the business.

 

[wisbaker]

Check out Hemming's motor news in print or on line they have folks that advertise babbit service for older cars.

 

[Bill in IN]

Babbit bearings are still used in some industrial equipment. Babbit was available, at least a few years ago. It isn't hard to do, and I have heard of people running in a second coat and scraping it down to re-surface worn bearings. The biggest concern would be keeping out grit-

 

[El Toro]

Try Roberts Bearing Service in WV. Hal
304-372-4136

 

[WGM]

Try this

http://antiqueenginerebuilding.com/

 

[Richard G.]

Been pouring babbitt for years. Google babbitt pouring and start reading. Aluminum works great also.
Caterpillar used aluminum in their big engines for years.
Email me for more info.
Richard in NW SC

 

[Butch(OH)]

For that type of non-critical work I would do as Richard suggested, Google it and do it yourself. Otherwise Harts in Cecil Ohio has done several engines for me and they are both reasonable and do top notch work.

 

[greygoat]

"Graingers" sells babbit in pound chunks !
McMaster-Carr probably does too.

 

[JMS/.MN]

Lindsay Publications has books for DIY.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

If you were to attempt this yourself, invest in copious amounts of safety equipment like leather gloves, face shield, leather apron, fire extinguisher... the slightest bit of moisture or oil will send Babbitt flying all around the shop.

 

[mjsnodgrass]

you will need a sealer to keep babbitt in bearing until it sets up. mcmaster carr has user friendly stuff, not like the stuff i grew up with. also make a shim out of gasket material to put between bearing base and cap when you bolt bearing together. babbit seems to expand when it cools. you will have less scraping to do that way. heat babbit in pot with propane heater until piece of dry wood lathe charrs when put into hot babbit. don't overheat the babbit. when babbit is warm you can drop in small piece of canning wax, stir it around and after the flame dies out all the dirty stuff will be floating on top of the babbitt. you can weld a handle to piece of pipe with a bottom welded in it. heating the bearing before pouring will remove any moisture in bearing housing and will allow for a longer cooling time resulting in a better pour. one thing to watch for is for is paying attention to center of shaft to bottom of bearing. if all aren't poured to same dimension, you'll need to shim. i would measure the size of the shaft bearings go on, and buy a piece for a mandrel and pour each bearing seperate. don't forget to drill cap for grease. good luck. it's actually kinda fun.