[Steam-engine] wood bearings

[James Mackessy]

Some Case engines use a Lignum Vitae block in the valve gear. It wears very
well
and has self-lubricating properties. Even better than today's favorite,
Acetyl copolymer,
known under the trade names of "Delrin" or "Celcon".
In the "Foxfire Book" series, there is an article on constructing a "tub
wheel" turbine for
powering a mill, and they specify a "pine knot" for the bottom bearing, a
thrust type
application, because it is very hard, wears well, resists water, and won't
allow sand in
the water to become embedded and cause wear.
Best Regards;
Jim Mackessy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <HISTMACHRY at aol.com>
To: <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2005 9:33 AM
Subject: [Steam-engine] wood bearings


> Do any of you know of machinery, lineshafts, countershafts, where wood is
> used as the bearing? Or as a variation on a theme, where babbitt is poured
> directly on the wood. I'm looking for info, examples, photos of such
bearing
> arragements primarily in the metal and wood working fields, particularly
on custom
> made machines. As an example there is a cut off saw at the Agrirama's
sawmill in
> Tifton GA, the bearings on this swing saw look as if the steel pulley
shaft
> runs on wood. No one at the site could tell me.
>
>
> Robert Yuill
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