New Lower Steering Column Bearing Kit (in development)

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CatchyUserName

CatchyUserName

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I have posted a similar part in forums on here recently, and there was more interest in it than I thought there would be.

If its going to be something I offer for purchase, I thought I should make something a little more up to finished product standards.
This is almost a complete redesign of the model from earlier posts, addressing some dimensional strength issues.

If there is someone out there with an early 67 steering column and a set of calipers, it would be awesome if I could verify some dimensions,

Here Is what I have until I have more parts in hand...

Steering bushing Drawing.png


Steering bushing render 1.png


Steering bushing render 2.png


Steering bushing render 3.png


Steering bushing render 4.png


Steering bushing Animation.gif
 
Nice work! I have a spare 67 ps column, but won't be home for a couple days.
I'm sure someone will be able to help before then. If not send me a reminder and I'll do what I can.
 
I have reviewed the measurements and everything looks good to me (although I'm using a cheapo caliper). It would be great if someone else could also check them.

I love the graphics.
 
Capecodcuda said:
I have reviewed the measurements and everything looks good to me (although I'm using a cheapo caliper). It would be great if someone else could also check them.

I love the graphics.
Click to expand...
Thanks for checking! You are the second one, but I wasn't too confident in the last persons measurements. One dimension I don't think I have written down on the spec sheet, is the OD of the tube.

Kind of nice to see that I can reach tolerances of 0.002" with this printer.

Just received the bearing, and it's a perfect press fit... Just able to press it in by hand. As long as the ID of the tube is good, and all the dimensions for the keyway and screw holes are good. This should engage the two really well. This also means I'm going to be able to ship it assembled, with this nuts captured inside.

20241231_115927.jpg


20241231_120258.jpg
 
The outer diameters as I measure them are:
Outer tube- 2.39"
Inner tube (lower end at bearing)- 1.36"
Steering column (at bearing location)- 1.00"

The screw locations look okay to me. I measure the distance from the end of the Outer tube to the center of the oval screw holes as .50"; I think you have them in the bearing retainer as .54" from the lip, which should be fine (I think).
 
Just because I'm curious, what kind of printer and material are you using? Doesn't look like the typical FDM style print to my eyes, more like a resin or even powder printer by the finish.
 
Map63Vette said:
Just because I'm curious, what kind of printer and material are you using? Doesn't look like the typical FDM style print to my eyes, more like a resin or even powder printer by the finish.
Click to expand...
It is FDM. I wish I could do resin for detail, but those materials can't compete with this. The machine use to be an Ender 5 Plus, but there is not much of the original unit now. Aftermarket motherboard, extruder/hotend assembly, z axis ball screws, enclosure, slide bearings, and a lot more. The frame is also heavily triangulated everywhere for rigidity, in order to reach this kind of dimensional accuracy. The filament is a high end PA6-GF, that is really strong and can withstand heat. It needs to print around 300c, in an enclosure. I created my own print profiles with dozens of hours of testing, to assure as close to a solid structure as possible. When I cut a print in half, It looks like an injection mold on the inside, with absolutely no voids.
 
CatchyUserName said:
It is FDM. I wish I could do resin for detail, but those materials can't compete with this. The machine use to be an Ender 5 Plus, but there is not much of the original unit now. Aftermarket motherboard, extruder/hotend assembly, z axis ball screws, enclosure, slide bearings, and a lot more. The frame is also heavily triangulated everywhere for rigidity, in order to reach this kind of dimensional accuracy. The filament is a high end PA6-GF, that is really strong and can withstand heat. It needs to print around 300c, in an enclosure. I created my own print profiles with dozens of hours of testing, to assure as close to a solid structure as possible. When I cut a print in half, It looks like an injection mold on the inside, with absolutely no voids.
Click to expand...
Interesting, must be the fibers that give it that rough finish. I have a MicroCenter house branded (PowerSpec) FlashForge clone I've had for years now that is kind of turning into a similar thing. So far it's just a stepper driver update to quiet them down and moving to a different control system (Klipper/Moonraker setup) so I could get native wi-fi access instead of constantly moving files back and forth with an SD card. I've been thinking about trying some of the more "engineering" materials and building and enclosure for it, but the somewhat ancient hotend I have on it is my main limiter on printing. It'll go hot enough I think, but the flowrate isn't great and I'm impatient, lol.
 
Map63Vette said:
Interesting, must be the fibers that give it that rough finish. I have a MicroCenter house branded (PowerSpec) FlashForge clone I've had for years now that is kind of turning into a similar thing. So far it's just a stepper driver update to quiet them down and moving to a different control system (Klipper/Moonraker setup) so I could get native wi-fi access instead of constantly moving files back and forth with an SD card. I've been thinking about trying some of the more "engineering" materials and building and enclosure for it, but the somewhat ancient hotend I have on it is my main limiter on printing. It'll go hot enough I think, but the flowrate isn't great and I'm impatient, lol.
Click to expand...
Microswiss Mosquito hotend, and a ruby tipped .4 nozzle. both I would highly recommend.
 
Map63Vette said:
Interesting, must be the fibers that give it that rough finish. I have a MicroCenter house branded (PowerSpec) FlashForge clone I've had for years now that is kind of turning into a similar thing. So far it's just a stepper driver update to quiet them down and moving to a different control system (Klipper/Moonraker setup) so I could get native wi-fi access instead of constantly moving files back and forth with an SD card. I've been thinking about trying some of the more "engineering" materials and building and enclosure for it, but the somewhat ancient hotend I have on it is my main limiter on printing. It'll go hot enough I think, but the flowrate isn't great and I'm impatient, lol.
Click to expand...
Also, there is a hard speed limit with stuff like this... I tried for days to get it to print faster, but it was just not working well for strength. Any time you print really fast, the layer adhesion plummets. I really wanted an x1 Carbon, but then I saw a test somewhere, showing that high speed prints aren't as strong. I'm printing this stuff at around 50mm/s, at a .12mm layer height, and the dimensional accuracy speaks for itself.
 
just an update... found a couple needed adjustments, and I hope its the last one before sending out for a test fit. Although, one of my other parts started selling a lot, and is taking up all print time. this is on hold for a short while. will update after next print
 
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