Steam Engine Restoration Part 10 (Video Post) - Casting New Babbit Bearings

After months of research and watching tutorial videos, I finally took the plunge and started the process of casting fresh crankshaft bearings for my steam engine.

This engine uses Babbitt bearings on the crank, which are cast in place between the structure of the machine and the rotating shaft it will be carrying. These were extremely common in old industrial machinery and engines of all types because they could be easily made to a high tolerance using basic hand tools.

Engines that utilize these bearings have hollow bearing blocks, which act as cups that hold the finished bearing in place. To cast the bearing, the rotating shaft is placed into the bearing block and suspended in the correct location using shims or collars. I machined a pair of steel shims that rested on the edge of the bearing block and held the crank vertically in place.

Crankshaft locating shims

The steam engine base with crank shims installed

I purchased a used casting ladle off of Craigslist and melted down the Babbitt metal brick using the propane forge. This burner maintained steady heat and quickly liquefied the brick. 

Finally getting to use the propane furnace!

Melting the Babbitt brick

 I packed clay between the bottom of the crank and the bearing block and poured the molten Babbitt into the cavity (detailed above in the video). After cooling and trimming down the excess material, the bearings were ready for test fitting. The next step is to pour the bearing cap bearings.

Trimmed and installed in the bearing blocks

Bearing halves removed for cleaning

The crankshaft installed in place for test fitting.