Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

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Benjamin Maggi
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Location: Albany, NY

Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

My engine utilizes marine-style rods which essentially bolt around the crank pins. The plans call for gunmetal, but I have been advised that SAE660 bronze is a better choice. The ends of the connecting rods are 1/2" thick, 1.75" tall, and the two pieces are 5/8" wide which are bolted together and then the crank pin hole in the center is milled out. The ends of the drive rods are 3/4" thick, 1.75" tall, and again two pieces are 5/8" wide which are bolted together.

In total, I need one piece 1/2" x 5/8" x 14", and another piece 3/4" x 5/8" x 7". I don't need a lot of the stuff. However, when I have located it online I am coming up with prices that are for 4x or more what I need. This stuff isn't steel, and I don't want to buy a lot of extra. Does anyone know of a source that sells small amounts of the stuff? In the alternate, does anybody have any they want to sell?

Thanks.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
Oilcan
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Re: Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by Oilcan »

Benjamin:
You might try Bernie McCallum of Hobby Metal Kits (http://www.hobbymetalkits.com). If he doesn't have any, I think he could lead you in the right direction. Standard disclaimer here - I am not connected with Bernie's business; just know him to be very helpful to the model builders.

Neil
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joneg
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Re: Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by joneg »

you can buy the round bar in approx 13" lengths and mill it square, thats what i do
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warmstrong1955
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Re: Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by warmstrong1955 »

You may want to check with your local bearing houses.
I used get a lot of my 954, 863, and 660 from US Bearing....now Motion Industries.
They carry Bunting, among a few others. Much better prices than McMaster, but not a lot of inventory.

http://catalog.buntingbearings.com/cate ... bronze-bar

Bill
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Bastelmike
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Re: Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by Bastelmike »

Benjamin Maggi wrote:The plans call for gunmetal, but I have been advised that SAE660 bronze is a better choice.
Hi Ben,

I'm living on another continent, so I cant give You sources for Bronze in the states.

But I'm astonished for that particular sentence. What is gunmetal in Your opinion?

For me, SAE660 bronze isn't bronze, it's just - gunmetal.
Bronze is an alloy mainly from copper and tin, while gunmetal is made of copper, tin and zinc.

According to my sources, SAE660 is equivalent to ISO 2.1090, ISO GC-CuSn7ZnPb or german DIN Rg7. Cu 81-85%, 6-8% Pb, 6-7% Sn, ~4-5% Zn.

Mike
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NP317
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Re: Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by NP317 »

Try
www.onlinemetals.com

They have bronze 660 equivalent bearing bronze rods.
1.875" OD costs ~$96/foot, and available in whatever length you want.
Many other diameters available too.
I acquired these same bronzes for the rod bearings on my Ten Wheeler. Milled the big ones into rectangles for the main rod bearings.
Also used smaller diameters to make the conn rod bushings.

This might at least help you compare pricing with other internet metal sellers.
Usual disclaimer: I have no business ties with Online Metals.
I used to live 1 mile from their first start-up location in Seattle, WA, USA, and visited them frequently!
~RN
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Benjamin Maggi
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Location: Albany, NY

Re: Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

Thank you to everyone. I am tracking down various leads. Someone else also suggested Atlas Bronze, which had what I was looking for in more reasonable sized pieced.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
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Benjamin Maggi
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Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:38 pm
Location: Albany, NY

Re: Source for small pieces of SAE660 bearing bronze

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

Atlas Bronze came through... good pricing, and also willing to do small orders.
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
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