Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu!olesun!gcouger
From: gcouger@olesun.okstate.edu (Gordon Couger)
Subject: Re: How to Make Axels/Bearings/Belts/Bushings/Gears/Pulleys?
Message-ID: <1993Jul17.070711.15722@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu>
Keywords: axel, bearing, belt, bushing, gear, pulley
Sender: news@osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu (USENET News System)
Nntp-Posting-Host: olesun.agen.okstate.edu
Organization: Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
References: <22688lINN85k@uwm.edu>
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1993 07:07:11 GMT
Lines: 37

In article <22688lINN85k@uwm.edu> rick@ee.uwm.edu (Rick Miller) writes:
>I've been stripping small, broken electronics for motors, gears, pulleys
>bearings (bushings, really) and axels for a couple small (under 30cm dia.)
>robotic projects of mine, but it's a real pain finding stuff that'll match!
>
>Does anyone have any hints on how to make good/quick/cheap mechanical
>components like these for small, high-efficiency robotics?
>
>Maybe I shouldn't be using metal?  Plastic?  Wood?  ?
>
>What (hopefully simple/inexpensive) machinery would I need?

An inexpensive source of precision shafting is drill rod available at industrial 
supply houses.

O-rings available at automotive and farm machinery parts houses make very 
good belts.

Most plastics make a passable bearing. Oil impregnated hard wood makes 
very good bearings for some environments. Especially under water and dirty 
environments. In dirty environments do not grease wooden bearings it cuts 
the shafts with the abrasive dirt.

A lot can be done with files and an drill turning real slow.  But for any 
serious experimenter access to a lathe and milling machine are very 
desirable. I don't know if Unimat is stillin business but it made a 3 by 6 " 
lathe that could be converted to a vertical mill and drill press. With 
attachments would cost several hundred dollars.

Good luck 
Gordon


Gordon Couger 
Agriculture Engineering Oklahoma State University
114 Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK  74074
gcouger@olesun.agen.okstate.edu 405-744-9763 day 624-2855 evenings  
