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Milling machine choices ......

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vtsteam:
Thanks Phil and Pekka. It looks like, in answer to my question of whether a combined rolling and thrust bearing had any functional advantage over a separate roller and thrust bearing, it doesn't sound like it does. (Other than manufacturing ease and simplicity.) In fact the first description and drawing that Pekka linked shows a spindle with separate bi-dirctional thrust bearing and 2 sets of roller bearings.

I asked this because Rob's new lathe apparently would need incredibly expensive proprietary bearing replacements, if they could be found (and if they are actually needed) of about 7 times the lathe's purchase price. It just got me thinking about the whole subject, and what I'd consider if I had a scrap lathe which required special bearings that I couldn't find or afford. And I'm also always thinking about the possibility of building a new lathe from scratch, and just wondering in general about the topic of rolling vs plain bearing practices. (When I say "rolling", I don't mean roller -- I mean all types of rolling contact bearings).

Thanks again for replying! :beer:

awemawson:
Many years ago when my Colchester Student front headstock bearing roller collapsed as previously mentioned, I gave serious consideration to making a bronze plain bearing for it. Fortunately I found the second hand one and didn't have to.

philf:

--- Quote from: vtsteam on March 09, 2015, 12:20:02 PM ---Thanks Phil and Pekka. It looks like, in answer to my question of whether a combined rolling and thrust bearing had any functional advantage over a separate roller and thrust bearing, it doesn't sound like it does. (Other than manufacturing ease and simplicity.) In fact the first description and drawing that Pekka linked shows a spindle with separate bi-dirctional thrust bearing and 2 sets of roller bearings.

I asked this because Rob's new lathe apparently would need incredibly expensive proprietary bearing replacements, if they could be found (and if they are actually needed) of about 7 times the lathe's purchase price. It just got me thinking about the whole subject, and what I'd consider if I had a scrap lathe which required special bearings that I couldn't find or afford. And I'm also always thinking about the possibility of building a new lathe from scratch, and just wondering in general about the topic of rolling vs plain bearing practices. (When I say "rolling", I don't mean roller -- I mean all types of rolling contact bearings).

Thanks again for replying! :beer:

--- End quote ---

My own lathe is a Boxford Industrial which were (still are?) available in standard and toolroom versions. The toolroom version used Gamet bearings, the standard used Timken taper rollers. According to the parts diagram the spindle and headstock casting are identical so the bearings must be interchangeable. I'm not saying that is the case with all lathes or if every Gamet bearing has an off the shelf equivalent. I think that a standard taper roller bearing would be adequate for most hobby use.

Another possible option if a specific bearing couldn't be found would be to make sleeves to adapt a smaller section bearing but with risks of reducing the stiffness and accuracy.

Phil.

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