Bearing block

[Damascus]

I'm looking for some ideas where to source a couple of sets bearings, to make bearing blocks for bow drill sets, I have some nice wood sitting around to use up. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mesquite]

Do you mean ball bearings?

If so then there's loads on Ebay or Amazon

 

[Macaroon]

I have a couple of sets of skateboard bearings you can have for the postage, I got them for exactly this purpose and there are two spare; drop me a pm if you'd like them.

 

[Damascus]

Very interested

 

[Damascus]

I would like to give Macaroon a big thank you for the bearings, it's always nice to see the good and generous side of this community an true gent.

D

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

Hi Damascus, long time no speak,
I've used stones with a "dent" with fantastic sucsess, for the last 10 or so years!
I tried using metal with drilled dents as a sort of "cheat" but they never seemed comfortable to use.
I have heard of people using crocery, and even a lump of tarmac to serve the same purpose.
as for actual bearings how are you going to hold them, are you setting them into some sort of handle?

 

[Damascus]

Hi Rapps,

yes make a comfortable palm fitting, drill a hole and fit the bearings, (bearing race), you get a smooth friction free bearing block.

dave

 

[Squidders]

Take it to its natural conclusion and put some dowel in a battery drill

 

[didicoy]

Next time your on a pebble beach. Try many pebbles/stones out for size. Flint in particular makes a great block. You can even find them with dents and even holes in to secure leather thong for hanging safely. Some very interesting shapes that fit well in the hand. If you can't find a bag full of decent bearings on the beach, try another beach.
Another one is beef bone knuckle joints. I've seen some decorated with carvings and pyrography very beautiful.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I am an engineer and generally like finding the most efficient solution, but something just seems wrong with using cheap deep groove ball bearings to support the end of a fire by friction spindle....they really are not appropriate for fire by friction bearing blocks, with that sort of axial loading you should be looking at thrust bearings, maybe tapered roller bearings.



There is no doubt that the use of a lathe would greatly improve the spindle. I wonder if one could make a router jig to pre-cut the hearth boards? Yes, I think that Squidders is on to something, although one would have to remember to refer to it as "Portable drill fire by friction" rather than "Bow drill...."

 

[barbourdurham]

Next time your on a pebble beach. Try many pebbles/stones out for size. Flint in particular makes a great block. You can even find them with dents and even holes in to secure leather thong for hanging safely. Some very interesting shapes that fit well in the hand. If you can't find a bag full of decent bearings on the beach, try another beach.
Another one is beef bone knuckle joints. I've seen some decorated with carvings and pyrography very beautiful.

Agreed. I found my bearing block on a pebble beach. By sheer fluke I picked it up and it goes in my pocket with a hank of paracord if I'm feeling nostalgic for a bow brill set fire!

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk

 

[middlewolf]

Hi Rapps,

yes make a comfortable palm fitting, drill a hole and fit the bearings, (bearing race), you get a smooth friction free bearing block.

dave

Use a Forstner bit the right size to inset the bearings into a wood handle. Can be held in with epoxy around the edges. We find old in-line skates for cheap at thrift (charity) shops or garage and yard sales. Then you get 8 bearings at once and can pass some on.

 

[tsitenha]

I used to carry a pendant made with a cast off deer horn, with a dimple in the back side and a cross hole to allow a leather thong as a neck string as well as a bow string.

 

[Jared]

Survival Lilly in her latest video, is using a whole wheel from inline skates or a scooter as the bear block and bearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EowWiloNZwk