Before roller bearings, Babbitt Metal was poured between journals and the journal holders. It was the friction material, and when the beari g was worn, could be recast fairly easily. Look up rairoad hot boxes or railroad bearings. Keith Rucker has a couple of good demos on his site.

Usually some alloy of lead and tin with possibly other additives, at least in the old days. Modern Babbit may be lead free for all I know.

Before there were standard shell bearings for applications like engine main & rod journals, there was babbitt metal. It was cast in-situ in the block where it would run.

"What's good for General Motors is good for the Country". That's what they said when street railways were destroyed for buses. And the sheep were shorn. Politicians at their best.

​@@The_DuMont_NetworkCorruption

He had nothing to do owning a bus company. He was however a mob attorney and was convicted in Federal Court of malfeasance of the public trust in selling off the physical assets at about 1/10 actual value, to mob run scrap interests. Fred Ossanna Sr. was let out of prison along with many others in organized crime by Lyndon Banes Johnson shortly after being sworn in... as part of payment for helping him ascend to President.

Well I'm not trying to jump all over your case but it might be best if you knew the metal you were pouring it's not steel it's cast iron. Always be careful of where your feet are in relation to the area below the pouring vessel and the mold/receptacle - while working for manpower as a temp i was assigned to a foundry which pours cast iron. Over the two week period I filled in for the vacation bound pourer I witnessed 2 men, old timers they were, who could run a hexagonal pencil through the scarred holes to rid them of shoe and sock debris. It was hot work and I loved the fact would only be there a few weeks. Good luck... always try to have anything you need close to hand as you practice, yes practice. Many times and use a spotter when the real pour happens. If the person is going to be a helper then include them in the session for practice as well. You still will need a spotter since the two of you well practiced fellas will not be able to see everything around you. Eye on safety please.

@@CothranMike Yes I understand the rotors are cast iron that’s why I’m using them however I do intend on trying to also melt some steel from metal shavings from my lathe to see if I can get hot enough to melt. Any recommendations on a good temp to pour iron? I am using a diesel fired furnace that I think can reach the temps needed?

@@rufustoad1 The only advise I give is to always be aware of the enviroment you pour within. I could speculate on some of your concerns but that would be just my thoughts, untrained in formal education. This time I'll take a solid pass, tempting as it is.

@@CothranMike HAHA some of you people on KZbin crack me up with the holier than thou attitude and have zero interest in helping others succeed. This isn't flying to the moon its dumping hot metal into a casting that in my opinion is the hardest part of pouring anything. Thank for the reply and when you have a minute show use that degree and formal education you have that makes you the god of casting??

@@rufustoad1 very plainly you did not read my post...

We need to see some sweat band leggings on the next pour :p

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