Bearing From Aluminum Beverage Cans

Intro: Bearing From Aluminum Beverage Cans

Bearings are what make the world go around. This project makes a simple bearing form a couple off empty aluminium beverage cans.

A couple of uses for the bearing are as a turnstyle - useful when painting small objects and to rotate visually deceptive artwork.

STEP 1: Cut Two Cans Bottoms

Cut the base off two aluminium beverage cans. Trim along the edges to make smooth with a pair of scissors.

STEP 2: Making Ball Bearings

To make the ball bearing, screw up some aluminium foil into a small ball. Compress the ball with your fingers. After making 10 balls, round and compressed some more by placing them under a piece of plywood and moving the ply around, while applying some downward pressure.

STEP 3: Complete the Ball Bearings

Place 10 completed aluminium balls in one of the bases. Turn the other beverage can end upside down and place on top. Turn it around to ensure it pivots freely.

STEP 4: Find the Centre

Find the center by sliding a pen placed on a suitably sized book across the outside of the base. Do this four ways to create a small square. Mark a couple of diagonals across the square to locate the center.

STEP 5: Attach a Bolt

Drill a center hole, then enlarge it to be a 1/4 inch hole.

Fit a suitably sized 1/4 inch bolt into the hole to secure the 2 sides of the bearing together.

STEP 6: Uses: Turning Artwork

So, what can the bearing be used for? I used it to turn some eye-catching artwork around 180 degrees.

STEP 7: Turnstyle for Painting Objects

Another use is as a turnstyle for painting small objects, this allow the object to be rotated as it's been painted.

Comments

[LADY DIXIE T]

Hey, that's a pretty cool idea! I also do small crafts and artwork so actually this is a perfect size for that type of stuff Thanks for sharing this clever idea.

[WWHverring]

Fun project!

[Brucesmith50]

GREAT project. Shows kids (and the vast uninformed population of adults too) how a “real”bearing can hold up and rotate under the load of a locomotive or…??

Also good to see how simple, home style fabrication can be used to solve real issues - no 3D printer or CNC machining required (not to denigrate either, but it’s nice to see simpler solutions too).

I salute you!

[MarkH342]

Well, well. Very interesting. I'll have to try that center finding method. Thanks.

[Tom Hargrave]

My first thought was "Aluminum can ball bearings can't work!", but understand that some of my work involves production bearings which can very subjected to high speeds and high pressure. But after reading your article I understand. This is a great project, and your hand made bearings and bearing races are perfect for what you are using them for.