The next step was to make the bearings from the Stuart extrusion.
Pic No 1
From the book BUILDING A VERTICAL STEANM ENGINE I use a small piece of sheet steel x 1/32" thk which is about correct for a packer, this saves the tedious method of setting up the bearings in the 4- jaw for every bearing.
It's now an easy job to machine one end to size, bore thro' and ream take it off of the chuck and with a saw cut it oversize and put back in the 3- jaw and machine to size. I use this process for the bearings.
Pic No 2
The central bearing is split so I machine the bearing to overall dimensions but don't bore it thro'.
I mill the bearing down to the small pip left when facing.
Pic No 3.
Is the bottom half machined from a piece of brass or cast bronze to the same dia as the top bearing casting, machine it down to half size and the soft solder it to the top half.
this can now be put back into the 3- jaw with the packing strip, bored and reamed, turned around and finished to size.
Pic No 4.
Is a piece of 9/32" dia shaft set up with the bottom bearing in place, the top half is lying on top of the base plate.
Pic no 5.
Bearings in place ready for drilling and tapping.
Not forgetting that the central bearing requires an adjusting screw from the underside of the base casting to hold it in position below the top half, this will be done at a later stage.
George