In reply to slefain :
There are plugs, but it would be a huge task to rotate the races.
In reply to slefain :
There are plugs, but it would be a huge task to rotate the races.
In reply to 93gsxturbo :
That's actually really good information. Each two inch ball has about eight times as much material as a one inch ball. I'm not McMaster Carr, but even if I value the much larger balls at $10, I can justify something like $1000 of effort for the balls alone.
Another factor is that I'll be doing this while I'm away from home for work, on a day that the weather is too bad to be on the side of a wind turbine. This makes my time more free than usual. Having the diversion also keeps me way more engaged and happy while I'm away from home.
In reply to D2W :
I'll cut up the pallet and clean up the area when I'm done. There's a dumpster nearby.
white_fly said:Stampie (FS) said:In reply to white_fly :
Wait! I see that you're in Tampa. This sounds like something I'd love to help and cry over. Want me to come down?
I am in Tampa, but there are no wind turbines nearby. This job site is in Indiana. You're still welcome to come help. I'll give you a ride in the Jag
Hmmm Indiana isn't a day trip. Well yes I did a day trip there a few months back but normally it isn't. Wish I was closer cause I'm all about spending more time, money, and effort on something because the story is worth it all.
In reply to white_fly :
Are you up in the Fowler area?
white_fly said:In reply to 93gsxturbo :
...$1000 of effort for the balls alone...
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
I'll be in Lafayette on Sunday.
Stampie (FS) said:Hmmm Indiana isn't a day trip. Well yes I did a day trip there a few months back but normally it isn't. Wish I was closer cause I'm all about spending more time, money, and effort on something because the story is worth it all.
Stampie, you're a man after my own heart and don't you forget it. See you at the challenge, if not before.
In reply to white_fly :
I have friends there. One might just be crazy enough to help you out with a solution...
In reply to white_fly :
I've not read through all the thread/previous suggestions, but here's the options presented so far:
The current plan is for me to buy a diamond blade and a bunch of abrasive discs, rent an emergency saw (~$65/day), and cut it into progressively smaller pieces. I have access to a 3/4 ton pickup and flatbed trailer, but I'm sure I could use all the help I can get.
I like how the best answer is "biggest death wheel"
video please. Also be careful. Those saws can be gnarly, but they'll cut anything, including ppe.
A big sledgehammer and some cold chisels would help save cutting time - if the races are decently hard, you should be able to crack them after cutting partway through.
In reply to white_fly :
It's a real shame you couldn't get away with a torch. I feel like they would be the best bet for in the field deconstruction.
In reply to newrider3 :
I'll definitely bring hammers and wedges. Maybe that will work?
If they are hardened, bring safety gear. Long ago my brother smacked a hardened roller and part of it shattered. Launched a small piece into his neck and came to rest dangerously close to his aorta
I may or may not be appalled that nobody has yet suggested thermite. 
Most large bearings have a filling slot for the rolling elements. It's a semi-circular cut in the side of the inner ring. Then again, a slewing ring may not be assembled the same way as a spherical roller couch roll bearing.
My feeling is it would be best to take only one and move it in its crate to a place where you have sufficient hardware and time. Before that, I'd find the bearing brand and designation on the crate or inner ring and google it. There may be an easy trick to disassembling these, or you may find the material isn't suitable for what you have in mind. You may also find a bonus item like a big brass cage that will help finance the operation.
An oxygen lance would be ideal . Carbon arc cutting would do the trick as well.
Oxygen lance
Swing by the nearest labor ready for a supply of transient day laborers and tell them that can have all the races they tear apart if you can have the ball bearings.
Call the local FD and ask if they want jaws of life training.
In reply to pilotbraden :
Tell me about this oxygen lance.
Also, I measured the bearings today. The races are 8"x7". Looks like even a 14" saw would struggle.
In reply to white_fly :
Imagine an arc welder in reverse, that's basically an oxygen lance.
Stick of material that, when ignited, gets oxygen pumped through it and at the tip gets hot enough to melt the material it is in contact with, whether that is metal, stone, or whatever.
Also called a thermic lance, not sure what a good one would run you, but you'd probably have the same issues you would get with a torch
Mr. Asa describes the thermic Lance ideally. I was thinking the more of the old school oxygen Lance way to heat up a corner of that race to the kindling temperature red hot cherry red hot and then but the oxygen Lance to it. The oxygen Lance is a piece of steel or iron pipe hooked to an oxygen source. You generally get the piece to be cut red hot with one torch then put the oxygen Lance up to the Red Hot Spot turn on the oxygen and cut the heat of combustion will continue the cut you can cut pieces up too many feet thick. It produces a lot of slag and Sparks probably not what you're looking for. But I deal for that job
This would be very effective. Go to the local fire department and get a hot work permit for the area and you shouldn't have any trouble with the lawmen
Others have cautioned that this is a very hard task, and I will echo that and let that dead horse alone.
Any method you take on is going to involve hot work, with sparks and heat. I'd be experimenting with the thermic lance approach. Here's a GRM approach that gives the general idea on a scale too small for your needs: homemade thermic lance.
Bring your oxy-acetylene bottles and torch. Put a big old rosebud on and preheat the area on the races, then take a stab at a thermic lance with straight oxygen. With all the leather PPE you own, and maybe some physical shielding material (sheet metal?) to reduce flying slag lighting you on fire. I've observed a good deal of carbon arc gouging, and a little industrial thermic lancing, and it's not one to take lightly for the uninitiated.
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