Bearings for rolling pin.

[Simplicity]

I’ve had a very delicate commission put to me.

I’ve been asked to make a rolling pin for the iron palace kitchen.
I’ve suggested we go with rotating handles(ie the roll rolls while the handles don’t)
Do I need to, or should I go with food grade bearings.?
Or ,can I just pop over to the local bearing shop and just grab something I think will work.?

Cheers Matt,

[Lappa]

I’m curious.
Whats your basic construction - any rough drawings, materials etc.?

I have seen one that the roller was stainless steel and another that was marble then of course the regular timber.

The problem I see is how is the rolling pin going to be cleaned? If just a wipe over, sealed bearing should be fine but, in an industrial dishwasher, it’s anyones guess. Will it be able to be dismantled for cleaning if it’s of complex construction?

Just some thoughts.

[NeilS]

Matt, if was going into a kitchen in my family I would just do wood in contact with wood.

But, as it is going into a business that serves food to customers then I would take the high road and deliver the safest solution, which would be a bearing that keeps food out and can be regularly washed without contamination issues. As I understand it, the standard solution would be a sealed bearing made of food grade SS packed with food safe grease. That way you are delivering a food industry standard product that will avoid, or at least minimise, any come back.

Should you go with a bronze bush make sure that it is lead free.

Having said that, the chances of the bearing coming on contact with food is minimal, but you never know with some people. So, I would make the bearing area accessible for cleaning should food work its way into that area. At least that way the bearing area can be kept hygienic, ie, if they ever bother to thoroughly clean it.

[BobL]

I would go with a single end threaded SS rod epoxy glued into one wooden handle and a SS nut glued into the other handle and SS washer between each. That way you can take take it all apart and clean. it.

[China]

Was rolling pin with bearings specified? Most chefs in my experience prefer solid rolling pins.

[smiife]

Hi matt, I would go with french rolling pin style , no moving parts , one piece , easy to clean , no contamination with food particles
stuck in bearings etc........

[Simplicity]

Matt, if was going into a kitchen in my family I would just do wood in contact with wood.

But, as it is going into a business that serves food to customers then I would take the high road and deliver the safest solution, which would be a bearing that keeps food out and can be regularly washed without contamination issues. As I understand it, the standard solution would be a sealed bearing made of food grade SS packed with food safe grease. That way you are delivering a food industry standard product that will avoid, or at least minimise, any come back.

Should you go with a bronze bush make sure that it is lead free.

Having said that, the chances of the bearing coming on contact with food is minimal, but you never know with some people. So, I would make the bearing area accessible for cleaning should food work its way into that area. At least that way the bearing area can be kept hygienic, ie, if they ever bother to thoroughly clean it.

Sent from my ZTE T84 using Tapatalk

Sorry Neil,
The Steel palace is in reference to our home which is build from shipping containers.
I think you have taken that as a restaurant name.
My apologies.
The rolling pin is for domestic purposes only.

Cheers Matt.

[Simplicity]

Was rolling pin with bearings specified? Most chefs in my experience prefer solid rolling pins.

We want the non rotating handles to make it easier for Sal(Wife)to use.
Due to her having Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cheers Matt,

[Simplicity]

Hi matt, I would go with french rolling pin style , no moving parts , one piece , easy to clean , no contamination with food particles
stuck in bearings etc........

The Food stuck was brought up on a Facebook book page I’m on to.
With reference to mould making its way inside if I just use a SS rod through the guts of it.
Mould forming on the timber,
Which at first seems the most simple (KISS theory)

Cheers Matt.

[China]

This may be of interest https://www.amazon.com/Woodcraft-Rolling-Pin-Hardware-Kit/dp/B00H2AF420

[Paul39]

Simplicity,

I would use a stainless steel rod through a hole bored in the wood roller. I would make the hole 1/8 inch larger than the rod, plug one end and fill with food grade mineral oil - from your drug store, used as a laxative - let soak for a week or so, let drain and assemble. Rubbing the handles and roller with mineral oil will make it somewhat water repellent and less sticky to dough.

An aside, wood bearings:

https://www.plantservices.com/articles/2005/469/

[ian]

We want the non rotating handles to make it easier for Sal(Wife)to use.
Due to her having Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hi Matt
unless Sal is familiar with using a rolling pin with rotating handles, I'd say don't.

I find that most of the time, the handles on a rolling pin are used with an open hand. It's the palm that does most of the work. The handles only come into play when the rolling pin is used as a weapon. As in "hit 'im on the head."
Many (most?) pastry chefs prefer rolling pins without handles.

[arose62]

Google
rolling pin hardware kit
and you'll find some off the shelf supplies, and some interesting discussions.

[arose62]

As a different approach, if you have a rolling pin with simple parallel handles, could you just slip a piece of pvc pipe loosely over the handles? Simple, cheap, easy to clean, reversible...

[NeilS]

Sorry Neil,
The Steel palace is in reference to our home which is build from shipping containers.

I think you have taken that as a restaurant name.


OK, got that wrong.... : ~}

A shipping container home, very interesting! Seen them on TV programs like Grand Designs, but not known of anyone who lives in one.

I presume that your good lady already has a fixed handle rolling pin that is not ideal for her, so your next step is to try a free wheeling handle design to see if that is better. I understand the project now.

The SS Rod solution proposed by Bob & Paul seems like the easiest solution. I presume you have access to some metal threading dies.

As I have some wood thread cutters I would probably go that way myself and use a large enough diameter that would allow a small diameter bottle brush to clean the bore out from time to time.

With both SS and wooden shaft options, bore first and then turn outside of pin on that 'new' centre. Wood rarely bores straight!

And, as Paul recommends, finish with pharmacy grade mineral oil.

Photos of the finished job and a user report are expected... : ~)

[NeilS]

.

The SS Rod solution proposed by Bob & Paul seems like the easiest solution.



PS - Arose62's PVC sleeve idea would give you a quick prototype as a proof of concept that a free handle design will work better for your lady.

[Kidbee]

This may be of interest https://www.amazon.com/Woodcraft-Rolling-Pin-Hardware-Kit/dp/B00H2AF420

I think they do not ship to Australia.

[ian]

I think Woodcraft will ship to Australia.
From their website:
We have partnered with a third party to service our international customers.
Once you have created your shopping Cart, choose the "Checkout" button. You will then be automatically transferred to a page where you will be provided with international shipping costs as well as duties and taxes for your shipment.
Upon completion of your order, your credit card will be charged for the entire purchase. We will ship the goods to the third party distribution facility where they will process the order and transport the goods to your international address. There are no additional fees or registration processes with this service.

[NeilS]

I think Woodcraft will ship to Australia.


I have purchase from Woodcraft, but awhile back now.

[clear out]

After reading Paul’s great article on wooden bearings I’d be chasing up a small piece of Lignun Vita and turn up a couple of bearings from that. I’ve a shaft wedge strip lost here somewhere or an old lawn bowl will do.
Failing that rock maple impregnated with a suitable oil. Go grab a bit of bowling alley. Got some of that I can find in the stash.
Use a stainless shaft with one removable handle.
Actually That being a US article missed the wood used for windmill bearings out here in Oz by Comet windmills just down Burwood Rd from me here in Concord.
I still have some interlocked grain red gum offcuts that Comet had me machine up for them on the Wadkin PK about 30 years ago after their chainsaw bounced a few times with interesting results for their workers.
They would rough turn them and leave em soak for a year in old engine oil. Finished to size and in use they lasted for decades with no maintainance.
Not suggesting engine oil but you get the idea.:D
H.