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Posted by Sherman in Idaho [72.47.153.24] on Monday, July 02, 2012 at 21:15:14 :
In Reply to: Re: guayucanreal = Lignum Vitae ? posted by clueless [201.202.29.210] on Monday, July 02, 2012 at 10:40:58 :
Until fairly recently, lignum vitae set with the end grain towards the shaft was used as the lower bearings in Francis turbines, where the only lubricant was the water going through the turbine and the natural oil in the wood. Hard rubber has also been used for that. I'm not sure what they used nowadays. The weight of the machine is carried on oil-lubricated thrust bearings above the water level, but there has to be a bearing at the bottom of the turbine to carry side loads.
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