Lewmar foot block challenge

[sarabande]

looks like the top one?


I'm working out the way they produce the 'cap' to the spindle. Friction welding perhaps? Upsett forging would leave a different profile.


Useful post, Javelin, thanks. Good luck with the replacement sheaves. Unless you have double seals on the roller bearings, will you find that saltware and crud gets in and messes up the needles? What's wrong with plain bearings; they're self lubricating and can be easily cleaned with warm water. It doesn't need to be an engineering fit. However, if you put the screw at the top end, you can always dismantle the unit and clean up the needles. I think I'd stick with the simple proven design for the sake of simplicity.

 

[Javelin]

Sarabande, you are so right the sensible approach is to keep it simple and that's exactly what I would do for a customer but this is for me and simple is so boring sometimes so I'm going to ask for trouble and complicate things.

Fell over this site the other day and am tempted to have a go at fitting 80mm versions of his sheaves.
http://www.stevewhitby.co.uk/sheavescatalogue
Hey if it doesn't work I can just return to plain bearing and you can say I told you so.

btw - I drilled the bottom of the pin out. Using the big pillar drill and the right size bit I didn't touch the casting.
The current plan is to drill out to m10 and use a m10 shaft with the bottom end peened over only.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I fitted stainless steel deep grove ball bearings sealed both sides to all 4 sheaves at the top of my mast and same type to 2 sheaves at the bottom. Have been like that for 4 years now and very little friction.