Thread: WIP - revolving bookcase

Elraco's have a super strong bearing, I've used them for bar stools... 2yrs and still no play!(unlike the swivel bar stools you buy)
Look here

Great post Dave. I love your sketch design and how you are following up in the construction. Well done, ill enjoy following this thread

Now this is great! I've got a picture of something like this in my 'maybe one day' file. Yep, I'm looking forward to seeing your progress too.

Cheers
Wendy

only problem I can see in this venture is uneven weight distribution....books do weigh a bit ....some more than others, and with this in mind it could lean to one side more than another and perhaps drag a little over time .....perhaps a lazy susan coupled with four castors might be better in the long run ....the bearing providing the "spin" at a fixed point ....and the castors providing even balance ....just my thoughts ...I too look forward to seeing it finished

We have an antique one, it turns on a point on top of the centre shaft. There is a cross piece underneath the top which fits on top of the centre shaft, so effectively the weight is suspended from the top.

The centre shaft is steel of some sort and about 5/8-3/4".

Can post picture if you like, but it is a different concept to what you have designed.

Like your design, but the bearing could be a problem.

This is a top project.

It is looking good so far and already you have ideas about how to do the next part easier.

Most of the ones I have seen are a bit ricketty. The weight of the books must put a lot of pressure on the mechanism.

The big glueup of the shelves does seem a challenge. I think your idea of doing it in quarters will make it easier. Glueup a quarter and trim it to size. Do the next. Then cut the final quarter to fit.

A couple of close up pics from Big Shed would be interesting.

I look forward to more updates.

G'Day Dave,

Looks good.

At work we change out some quite large bearings
because they have been used,
and
the machine is out for Maintenance,
The Bearings seem to be still OK,
when felt by Hand at slow speed.

These are about 200mm Dia. to say 300mm
and are a bit heavy.

Would these be suitable?

Do you have any heavy industry which would have like,

Even to ask the local bearing supplier for leads, we use SKF

Originally Posted by Harry72

Elraco's have a super strong bearing, I've used them for bar stools... 2yrs and still no play!(unlike the swivel bar stools you buy)
Look here

Cheers, thanks. That looks a lot sturdier than the lazy susan.

I'd thought about this weight distribution thing.... wasn't sure how to get around it, except for issuing instructions that books must be placed evenly around the bookshelf!

Big Shed - be interested to see how yours is done. Too late to change the design for mine now, but interesting all the same.

Man of talent - additional castors on the extremities could be the way to go. Will look into this as well.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Dave

Frithy

There is a chapter on revolving Bookcases in Bernard Jones "The Practical Woodworker" (volume 3, I think). It shows a mechanism of trapped castors located close to the outside of the shelves, which would seem to mean that the weight is supported from below, rather than held from a point above and which would seem to be more stable.

If you (or anyone else) would like a copy of the chapter, please send me a PM with your e-mail address and I will scan the chapter and send it to you.

Cheers

Jeremy

Originally Posted by jmk89

Frithy

There is a chapter on revolving Bookcases in Bernard Jones "The Practical Woodworker" (volume 3, I think). It shows a mechanism of trapped castors located close to the outside of the shelves, which would seem to mean that the weight is supported from below, rather than held from a point above and which would seem to be more stable.

If you (or anyone else) would like a copy of the chapter, please send me a PM with your e-mail address and I will scan the chapter and send it to you.

Cheers

Jeremy

Jeremy - PM sent. Much appreciated.

Cheers
Dave

Frithy

Scan sent by email. Enjoy.

You'll have no worrys with them HD bearings from Elraco's, think how much pressure a 100kg+ yobbo would put on a barstool...
They're rated at 120kg, I personally think thats a bit conservative, they are made from 3mm thick steel and the actual bearings are about 8~10mm in dia.

Can't wait to see end product.