[Steam-engine] Pitted shaft & Babbitt bearings

[Ken Hough]

Andy, I think you are making more of this than need be. Don't bother 
filling the pits. Its not turning that fast. Get some roll sandpaper and 
buff the axle like shoe polisher does. Go all around it. Wrap the axle in 
butcher paper. Todays news paper is too flexible. Oil it up with 600w
and lay the paper on. use some thread if it wants to undo itself. Tin the 
bearing housings with some acid core solder. This bonds the babbit to the 
housing. Support the shaft with hardwood wedges (not deep) on the bottom 
and sides and dam it up. Use Babbit Right.
Pre heat the housing and pour the first half. Let cool.  Remove the shaft 
and re wrap with paper. Set it in the bearing half. Lay a very flat .005 
shim brass (or oiled paper works too) over the cooled babbit.(this 
prevents the babbit from bonding with the bottom babbit) Add 1/8-1/4  inch 
of shims. Install the top bearing half and dam it up. Preheat and pour. 
Let cool. Dissassemble and remove the paper. The pits will hold oil 
helping to lube it. with a dremel tool and a round deburring bit create 
oil grooves. Reassemble. You must tin the bearing caps. This really helps 
bond the babbit. 
Ken