Rivercat new best!

[kfxguy]

I'm feeling 99mph pretty soon!!

If you watch the video closely, you can tell I ramped it up very gradually. ....I was nervous...and it was only at full throttle for a very short time. I'll run it again this weekend. I should have my ceramic ball bearing strut done by then.

[kfxguy]

Figured I'd go ahead and do the strut tonight. I bored it for 6 sealed ceramic bearings.

[dasboata]

Travis where did you get the roller bearings I might need to do that for my build they require a little more maint. I would drill a hole in the side of the strut to run some wd threw Thanks chris

[kfxguy]

Travis where did you get the roller bearings I might need to do that for my build they require a little more maint. I would drill a hole in the side of the strut to run some wd threw Thanks chris

I got this down to a science lol. I use (6) bearings, they are rubber sealed. I have LOTS of use on my first setup so i know they last. I'll send you a link to the bearings when i get caught up at work.

[grsboats]

Hi Travis I'm sure you will get your goal soon...takes time for a little 1mph improvement....I've been struggling with my rigger too but all the efforts and investmts paid off.BTW if you don't mind I would also be interested in this bearing link.thanks Gill

[kfxguy]

Its a 156 bearing. the whole boca part number i bought was SR156C-2Ys

the size is 3/16 x 5/16 x 1/8

I'd post an ebay link but they arent allowed.

[dasboata]

I guess they are not roller bearings at 1/8 wide LOL

[kfxguy]

I guess they are not roller bearings at 1/8 wide LOL

They are definitely roller....look up that part number. They are small....but they have to be to fit in the strut. I stack 6 together and it holds. It's noticeably smoother and easier to turn plus has NO slack like it usually does.

[dasboata]

The rollers are wider , Product Number : SR156C-2YS NB2
Product Type : Radial Bearings
Description : Ceramic Lightning, yellow sealed bearings are specially designed for off-road or excessively dirty operating environments. These bearings are maintenance free and lubed for the life of the bearing. The heavy duty rubber seal provides extra protection against the harshest elements. These bearings have ceramic balls, with stainless steel races and retainers. Ceramic hybrids are lighter, capable of achieving higher RPMÆs and sustaining higher operating temperatures than traditional bearings. Bearings that are packed in grease will require a short break in period to loosen up. Grease can be removed before shipping upon request. (.187x.312x.125)

[kfxguy]

The rollers are wider , Product Number : SR156C-2YS NB2
Product Type : Radial Bearings
Description : Ceramic Lightning, yellow sealed bearings are specially designed for off-road or excessively dirty operating environments. These bearings are maintenance free and lubed for the life of the bearing. The heavy duty rubber seal provides extra protection against the harshest elements. These bearings have ceramic balls, with stainless steel races and retainers. Ceramic hybrids are lighter, capable of achieving higher RPMÆs and sustaining higher operating temperatures than traditional bearings. Bearings that are packed in grease will require a short break in period to loosen up. Grease can be removed before shipping upon request. (.187x.312x.125)

Figured I just made a mistake. I didn't go back and look. We were busy as hell at work today and I was in a hurry. Sorry bout that.... but yea, that's the bearings I'm using. Do note, you'll need to spun the shaft with a drill and polish it just a little with some 400 grit to get it to have a not - so - tight fit in the bearings. You have a lathe, right? Chuck it up like you see in the pic. Drill in several steps till you get to 5/16. The bearings will fit snug, won't be a press fit. Put a little bit of blue loctite on each one as you push them in. Then I used an automatic center punch at the end to stake the last bearing in place. They are not coming out. Trust me.

[srislash]

They do have Needle bearings as well at Boca. Chris, didn't the old nitro guys run needle bearings back in the day. Or was that just experimental? I have been thinking of trying them but have warned that the prop shaft should be hardened as the needles will play havoc with "just stainless".

http://www.bocabearings.com/bearing-...ce/tla-series-

[kfxguy]

They do have Needle bearings as well at Boca. Chris, didn't the old nitro guys run needle bearings back in the day. Or was that just experimental? I have been thinking of trying them but have warned that the prop shaft should be hardened as the needles will play havoc with "just stainless".

http://www.bocabearings.com/bearing-...ce/tla-series-

I was always under the assumption that needle bearings weren't good for high rpm or thrust loads......

[srislash]

I was thinking that the broader bearing surface would hold up better to the side loads, RPM though, mmm.

[kfxguy]

I was thinking that the broader bearing surface would hold up better to the side loads, RPM though, mmm.

That's why I use 6 bearings stacked together. You could do 7 or 8 if you wanted. I've beat on my rivercat and 6 has held up with no maintenance. I think i posted earlier that I've had that done to I since I built it I'm sure over a year ago. It has a good bit of time and lots of rpm on it.

[dasboata]

They do have Needle bearings as well at Boca. Chris, didn't the old nitro guys run needle bearings back in the day. Or was that just experimental? I have been thinking of trying them but have warned that the prop shaft should be hardened as the needles will play havoc with "just stainless".

http://www.bocabearings.com/bearing-...ce/tla-series-

Yup we did,, I am a old guy,, LOL when I started the hobby 1/2 the boats were runniing solid shafts,,using roller bearings I did use them in my struts I have alot othem downstairs but there are not crimped over and the needles keep falling out LOL I ran all neddle bearings back in the 80's-90's as a bearing is always better then a bushing but there is more maint to prevent rust