Recommended UK rudder bearing manufacturer, material & contact

[Dipper]

Another vote for UHMWPE. It has high abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction and importantly low moisture absorption. Years ago I bought a micro lathe and make my own rudder bearings, bow rollers etc out of UHMWPE. I'm an amateur at this but they seem to turn out OK. It's certainly slippery stuff to handle and is used in hip and knee replacement surgery. Properties are listed here.

 

[andsarkit]

You might find something off the shelf here
IGUS

 

[Tranona]

I had very similar set up with bronze shoe (made the pattern myself and cast by a local foundry!) 1" stainless pin at the bottom of the rudder stock. Delrin top hat bearing insert into shoe with the flat top acting as bearing. Had a spare bearing made at the time. Took it apart after 15 years - zero wear. Spare is still among my "important to keep" junk in the garage. Just make sure you get the shoe hole straight and square as in post#9 and the ID of the hole and diameter of pin exactly right so the machinist can calculate the correct clearance for the material you choose.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I had very similar set up with bronze shoe (made the pattern myself and cast by a local foundry!) 1" stainless pin at the bottom of the rudder stock. Delrin top hat bearing insert into shoe with the flat top acting as bearing. Had a spare bearing made at the time. Took it apart after 15 years - zero wear. Spare is still among my "important to keep" junk in the garage. Just make sure you get the shoe hole straight and square as in post#9 and the ID of the hole and diameter of pin exactly right so the machinist can calculate the correct clearance for the material you choose.

On the topic of ‘getting it straight’ Leo snd his assistant explained how they did it when hanging Tally Ho’s rudder. Quite impressive. (As usual).

 

[Tranona]

On the topic of ‘getting it straight’ Leo snd his assistant explained how they did it when hanging Tally Ho’s rudder. Quite impressive. (As usual).

Yes, happy memories of measuring the angle of rake of the rudder to get the shoe square to the pintle. Cheated a bit as the shoe slid over the end of the new keel so inserted the rudder stock in the tube then shoe with bush onto pin with a jack underneath. Wiggled it around until it was spot on and the rudder turned freely then drilled the holes for the 3/8" bronze bolts through the cheeks of the shoe casting and the wood keel. Very satisfying.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have always used Vesconite for my rudder and prop bearings

Vesconite Design and Technical - designing your bushes ensures optimal life

Vesconite Marine Bearings and Bushings - Rudder and Stern Tube Bearings and Bushings

VESCONITE MARINE READY-TO-FIT BEARINGS

There seems to be a supplier in Singapore +65 6481 8728

Or the supplier I use in South Africa. GLOBAL SALES: Tel: +27 11 616 1111 | vesconite@vesconite.com

Also available from the UK +44 20 3239 9044

Bournemouth, UK - Vesconite

 

[demonboy]

Just spoken to my man here. We can and should get it turned locally in case there are any problems. I'll buy a block of material in the UK to take back with me.

My question about thickness remains. Assuming I use Acetal, I'll be creating a top-hat bearing. There was a Teflon spacer of 3mm originally, so the horizontal of the bearing has to be 3mm. But since I want to minimise boring of the bronze casting, can I get away with a 2mm thickness in the vertical?

The issue I have is that the casting is not the same thickness, and the thinnest point is at the top. I've tried to show this in these two photos...





If I make the vertical thickness of the bearing 3mm, then the thinnest point of the bronze casting becomes 11mm (that's the absolute thinnest point. The main body is approx 17-20mm). Does that sound acceptable or is that cutting it fine? Bear in mind this point of the assembly takes the full weight of the rudder.

 

[vyv_cox]

The shoe in your photos is massive compared with mine. I suspect that 2 mm wall thickness will be sufficient for the pretty much non existent wear but I wonder about its stiffness. I would be happier with 3 mm.
https://i0.wp.com/coxeng.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/shoe-and-bolts.jpg

 

[demonboy]

Thanks, all, for your replies. I've been traveling back to the UK since posting this so apologies for not answering each comment.
I hadn't realised that Delrin was a brand name and was Acetal, but it sounds like Delrin coud be the way to go. I will go for 3mm thickness.

 

[DinghyMan]

Thanks, all, for your replies. I've been traveling back to the UK since posting this so apologies for not answering each comment.
I hadn't realised that Delrin was a brand name and was Acetal, but it sounds like Delrin coud be the way to go. I will go for 3mm thickness.

Acetal and Delrin are slightly different materials, it used to be that DuPonts brand name was the only difference but Acetals are multi-polymer and Delrins are single polymer and and better quality, and higher price