Where can I buy gliding rudder bearings?

[AD28]

roller bearings would involve installing a receptacle of some sort, usually aluminium, and then the bearings, all of which then introduce the possibility of dissimilar metals/corrosion issues.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by Maika

My old rudder bearings are pretty worn, and probably also made of nylon, which create a lot of friction. I thought I might get new ones, I guess preferably made of Ertalyte TX, Teflon, Delrin, Tufnol, Orkot or Maritex(?), so I contacted Jefa rudder, but they have only roller bearings. I don't need that, and I also really do not want to change the rudder tubes, so what are my options? Are these standard size, or do I have to ask somebody to make them?

Get them here - any material you can think of.
igus® - iglide® Plastic Bushings: Overview

[carstenb]

I know you said you didn't want to go with the Jefa roller bearings, but I did last spring. The roller bearings are a lot stronger than delrin and being made completely of synthetic materials there is no corrosion.

Admittedly they are not cheap - but once you done the mount, you never have to worry about them again

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by sy_gilana

Vesconite
They probably have yours in stock. Best material out there.
Vesconite RUDDER Design-a-Bearing Calculator IMPERIAL

Indeed.

How does Vesconite compare with Acetal (POM) (Delrin) ?
Vesconite has much higher wear resistance. Vesconite has higher load carrying capacity and higher surface speed limits and hence PV limits than acetal.

Vesconite has better dimensional stability and lower friction.

Vesconite can be used with much finer tolerances and clearances, owing to much better dimensional stability.

Vesconite's chemical resistance to acids and solvents is much better.

Vesconite machines more easily.

Some data on polyacetal (POM) vs Vesconite :

Tensile yield strength = acetal 65MPa / Vesconite 80 MPa

Design loading = acetal 25 MPa / Vesconite 30 MPa

Thermal expansion = acetal 10 mm/mm/°C x 10-5 / Vesconite 6 mm/mm/°C x 10-5

Water absorption (saturated) = acetal 0.8% / Vesconite 0.5%

Maximum operating temperature continuous = acetal 100°C / Vesconite 100-120°C

➥ VescoPlastics Sales: FrequentlyÂ* Asked Questions. How, Why, What, When

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by chris95040

2" x 0.009 = 0.018", which is not insignificant.

Check out mcmaster-carr btw. Great web interface to locate whats available in the sizes/form factors/materials you can live with. They've got decent info about what materials are suitable for what purpose, too.

Right you are! I think I slipped a digit there.