Wade's Extruder Idler Bearing Not Spinning when Washer Offset Used

Hello All,

I'm in the early stages of a Mendel build, and I've got a question.

I was assembling a Wade's Geared Extruder according to the visual instructions provided by Gary Hodgson. (Awesome, reminds me of lego instructions.)

It shows four M4 washers over each of the 4 long M4 hex bolts, which provides a bit of an offset between the idler and the extruder. However, when I do this, the washers touch the idler bearing, which eliminates its ability to spin.

It seems like I'll be eliminating the washers from my version, unless I get some contrary advice here. Some things I wonder:
* Wouldn't a combination of this offset and a hobbed bolt create too much space for 1.75mm filiment (i.e., what I'm trying)?
* Is it important for the bearing to spin, or is a smooth metal surface good enough? (My guess is spin = important.)

TIA,
Brad

Have you actually tried spinning the bearing while between the washers?

You're right, of course. Brain freeze, I guess. I had previously gotten the outside of the bearing to spin within the PLA using my as-yet-un-hobbed bolt, and when that stopped working, I ran to the forums. Of course, I don't need or want that to spin. Too much , I guess.

Update: Wait, I'm talking about the idler bearing, which means the outside definitely needs to spin, and it doesn't.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2012 10:46AM by Karmavore.

You do want the idler bearing to spin. The washers are just there to space out the idler when there is no filament being fed in, to make feeding new filament easier. I never use washers there.

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