Steve's Extruder Video - Gears & Bearings

[JohnStack]

We watched the Steve's Extruder Head build video. Pretty fun!

In the video, Steve walked away for a bit to get a 11mm socket to press the bearing in. (Either that or he had a quick beer break and the socket was just out of view.)

My wife (in Quality at a major aircraft engine manufacturer) asked whether or not it would be better to use a blow-dryer to heat the gears up a little before pressing the bearing in.

This might do two things:
Avoid accidents, warpage and dents
As the part cools, it might be better seated

Question - before assembly:
Would gentle heating help or hurt?

[tom10122]

I wouldn't , It could warp the gear. You should have no problems pressing the gears in with a vice.ABS expands enough to not crack.

[johnoly99]

I wouldn't worry too much about heating the gears slightly. They are actually made from acetal, so they soften with heat easily, just make sure that its flat as it cools

[cbuddha]

What about the opposite, freeze the bearing. Would that be bad for the lube? - Old techie trick freeze a noisy clicking harddrive to get data off it.