vertical roller

By JCP

Date 01-29-2009 00:24

Need some ideas on a vertically mounted roller(cat line). 3" pipe, 5 ft long 1"dowel(cr) in the middle and bearings on each side(top and bottom). the mounted bearings (four holes)at Fastenal are a little lite and would better purpose a horizontal roller (like on a conveyer belt). has anyone ever built anything like this? the existing roller doesn't have a race on it (blew out), so I don't have the numbers to order a new bearing. also, its going on a drilling rig so its gotta be tough. thanks guys also thought of pipe inside a pipe (welded)w/ bearings flush to ends, but don't know if this would spin, or stay off the floor. uh, thanks again

By NWPAwelder (**)

Date 02-02-2009 23:26

Your bottom bearing will need to have a thrust capability in order to run in the verticle mounted position if it is to last. This is due to the fact that the weight of the roller is resting on that bearing. Without the thrust capability, the bearing will prematurely fail leaving you back in the same situation again. Best bet would be to go to an industrial supply for the bearings. Tell them what you are doing and they should be able to properly class them for your application. A standard 4 bolt flange bearing probably wont cut it; although they do make them with thrust capabilities. How about a greaseable bronze bushing with wear shims or a tapered roller bearing?