Page 222 - Making things move_ DIY mechanisms for inventors, hobbyists, and artists

200 Making Things Move

FIGURE 7-11 Spherical bearings are used on gym equipment to
accommodate misalignment in the cable pull direction.

Bearing Installation
Tips and Tricks FIGURE 7-12 A flanged bushing can
handle radial and thrust loads.
There are two main ways to work with
bearings: build them into your structure or
use mounted bearings (pillow blocks).
We’ve already talked a bit about building
them into your structure, such as installing
bushings by pressing them into a hole just
bigger than their outer diameter. For radial
bearings or bushings, if you’re working
with wood, you should drill a small hole
first, and then drill progressively larger holes
until you get the right fit. You can also use
counterbore bits (also known as Forstner
bits), as shown in Figure 7-13, to create a
recess for a bearing to sit in.