sleeves for M6 bolts

[Pamphonica]

A bit off the subject of old technology...

I need to sleeve the first 25mm of a long M6 bolt, to act as a bearing. Outside diameter of the sleeve should be 9.5mm approx (could be 10mm at a pinch). So id is 6mm, od is 9.5-10mm.
Where do I get such sleeves?
I know at smaller sizes they are just a standard through-drilled stand-off pillar but I don't have anything suitable in "stock".
Any ideas?
It's light duty. For the wheels on a pair of ladder roof hooks (see below).
The old wheels disintegrated (plastic denatured by sunshine) and the new wheels from Ebay are perfect. BUT...the existing special shouldered bolts were so badly rusted they sheared when I tried to remove them.:badmood:
Any ideas?
thanks
Jeremy

[Retired]

Hi,

Do you have a drill press Jeremy as it would be easy enough to obtain a bit of 10mm dia bar stock and drill axially on centre at 6.5mm. If you need the sleeves to act as rollers I would suggest using brass rod.

Hope this is of use.

kind regards, col.

[Pamphonica]

Hi Colin, I wondered if you would once again spring to my aid with sage advice!

I do have a drill press but it's pretty cheap and I don't reckon on my ability to centre drill stock accurately.
I don't even have a chuck/vice that will hold stock strongly enough but not damage it.
Nor of course do I have 10mm stock...
I have tried to drill out some 10mm pillars I just found but they spin in the horizontal vice as soon as I start cutting.
As you can guess I am not a skilled metalworker!

I do envy you the way you can just take raw merials and process them in your well-equipped shop.

Currently my best plan is to use M5 stainless bolts as the core, for which I can find 10mm sleeves (stainless) in the junk bin and hope that is strong enough. Actually the load is very light, and use is very occasional, so I should be fine.

But of course I don't have any M5x60mm stainless bolts to hand so another Ebay order is nigh!

At least this solution means I can get the hooks working again. I need to sort out something on the ridge of the pitched tiled garage roof and the ladder hooks are an essential part of the process.

Thanks for the suggestion, though. In another parallel universe there is a Pamphonica with full metalworking shop who could do this drilling job standing on his head, but not in this reality...

all the best
Jeremy

[AlanBeckett]

Oh, dear. Sticking a bit of 10mm stock in the lathe and drilling it 6mm is a 10 minute job.
How much do you need?
Come on Col, me or you?
Alan

[Pamphonica]

Generosity itself! I only need 2x 30mm lengths.
But I really don't want to scrounge.
Let me see how the 5mm bolts work out.
If they are not up to it I'll give you another shout.
thanks
Jeremy

[Retired]

Hi,

Please don't struggle Jeremy and of course I'll be happy to help out; both Alan and I have the means to easily produce such items so thanks Alan I'll take it on. I'm going out just now but will be back on-line later if you let me know the exact dimensions required Jeremy also I haven't had time to check but Screwfix are great for all kinds of fastenings including stainless steel.

Kind regards, Col.

[AlanBeckett]

Splendid. I can get back to the garden etc.
There's been a Management request for a section of slabbing - aka Patio. I'm not sure that I'm up to these big slabs any more
And before you ask those 'Stepping Stones' are at slightly odd angles as per the Project Manager's instructions.
Alan

[attachment=2679][attachment=2680]

[Retired]

Hi,

Keep at it Alan; your garden has already improved upon the last picture you sent me; such work is hard going this time of the year whilst the sun is beating down.

I had a few minutes Jeremy just before dinner so thought I would try to help you. I hope what you really wanted was a pair of suitable shouldered bolts as I assume the original wheels ran directly on such bolts.

The pictures show my version of shouldered bolts which I hope will sort your problem out? I made the brass bearings slightly longer as I didn't have the wheels to accurately measure; too short and the wheels would have locked solid. I made the bearings at an outside diameter of 9.5mm. Both bearings were through drilled and fully tapped at 6mm.

[attachment=2683]
Tapping in the lathe at 6mm.

The outer end of each is securely blanked with a washer and 6mm set screw whereas the inner end of each has been left over long for cutting to length after assembly; these too being 6mm diameter. two loose washers are supplied for each and one washer will fit each side of the mounting secured by the nut.

These are already on the way to you first class with my compliments and if not satisfactory please let me know. Now for the next project.

Kind regards, Col.

[attachment=2684][attachment=2685]
Ready for assembly and job completed.

[AlanBeckett]

Col,
You extended that job to at least half an hour
Nylocks or a dab of Locktite would be no disadvantage.
Alan