Yes, if your mandrel is just a little bit larger than the shaft you can pour it to the mandrel, install it and let it run in.

dave

In the New Hope, Pa. Engine House in the late 1970s, I remember brasses being poured level full of babbitt, which was then machined, and the large quantity of shavings saved for the next melt.

Dave, what is your experience with the time-frame required for them to polish in without machining? I don't think it's very long/far at all, but my experience is limited.

Earl, we didn't tin ours, but I think the application of the tin if done improperly will affect how the babbitt adheres. I helped/watched Jason Sobcynski and Shane Meador pour the babbitt for the crossheads on 4501 and learned a lot, but haven't worked with the stuff since. Those were probably the largest pours I'll ever work with, and the prep work takes a lot of time. Polar opposite of the "hurry up and get it done/no research" approach I've seen before. In that case, if the babbitt wouldn't stick, just drill a bunch of holes in the brass and pour it on again with the "cleats" to keep it from coming off. It works but very shade tree.

Regarding the reuse of shavings... I've read before the re-heating process takes life away from the babbitt. Is that true?

Not very long if you are in the ballpark, John. A bit of TimeSaver makes it very rapid.

dave