Re: Pigtail bearings (was: I'm new to this, a couple of questions if I may

From: Bruce McCrory <hbm55_at_comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:21:18 -0000

For duration I've never used Harlan's, always made my own bearings, simply because his are a standard dimension and don't sound very friction-free when a prop is turning. I like control over all parts of my models.

In the files section, under "Apparatus...." I parked a Tiff for making pigtail bearings, "Tagliofico Pigtail Bearing Jig.tif".

Andrew's works great for one size; and is a nuisance to make - he's an architect and heavy into detail. Mine have a rocket-shaped end over the slot so various sizes of bearings can be built. Based on eye sight and pliers sizes, they can go down to about .15" (4mm) length and .10" clearance to the motorstick.

The screw thumb-clamp can be problematic. I tried a clamp system his way then added a small C-clamp to get a tight grip. The whole thing can be jambed into another heavy clamp, or base and be worked on, similar to fly-tying rigs. When the wood gets mushy and mangled, it's about 5 minutes to make a new one. Making the pigtail can be quick or long like Mark said, but a solid sturdy start is the key to being quicker. I finished an A6 size in 20-minutes, including polished bearing.

I straighten and chop various sizes of guitar strings into 2" to 3" lengths (whatever fits into a plastic pharmacy medicine bottle) and stick rows of same size groups onto a sheet of drafting paper - cooking parchment should work - with medical adhesive tape. The whole thing can be rolled up and put into the bottle. When I make a new one, just pull out a wire and go to town.

For smaller size wire - #12,#13 and less - the smooth jawed hemostats work great. Be sure to use smooth-jawed pliers only. I tighten, rough align, and form everything on the wood clamp. Final adjustment for a super smooth bearing is done off the clamp using a new mandrel.

This method saves a lot of wire and bandages. Just tag wire ends and snip excess wire into a garbage can.

Bruce

--- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, "tony_hebb" <tony_hebb@...> wrote:
>
> Can anyone point me to an article(or tell me) a foolproof way to make pigtail bearings before I run out of wire?
> Does anyone supply an indoor type of glue applicator?
> In order to thin Ambroid I hear you need acetone, is this Cellulose thinners or do I raid my wife's nailpolish remover?
> I'm based in the UK and been modelling for over 50 years now, done most things but enjoying this very recent foray into Indoor Duration so far with a mini stick and F1L.
>
Received on Tue Mar 17 2009 - 14:21:21 CET