Thrust Washer Sources?

[Synnove Vikstrom]

I've been getting into restoring vintage fans. Wondering where people are sourcing assortments of thrust washers? So far I tend to encounter thick phenolic, thin red fiber (phenolic as well?), really thin black washers that are either fiber or some kind of rubber, and sealing washers.

Is it best practice to replace like with like or are more modern thrust washer materials like nylon, teflon, etc also being used?

[Chris Campbell]

McMaster Carr

[Paul Carmody]

Most everyone uses the thin fiber washers.Usually red ,but can be black or gray.My understanding is the oil will break down nylon over time.I have not heard of anyone using rubber.I’m sure it would break down and cause binding also.Some fans came with brass.If it’s factory I leave them.

Edited July 16, 2024 by Paul Carmody

[Synnove Vikstrom]

After some research it looks like the red thrusts are "vulcanized fiber", brown are phenolic resin, yellow is brass or bronze obviously. Shims are usually steel sandwiched between thrusts.

Not sure what the really thin black ones are.

My motivation for replacing them (aside from obvious cases where they've disintegrated or are missing) would be to secure a better tolerance than what the old washers can offer (run time will have made them thinner), and because the old ones probably have wear metals embedded.

[Lane Shirey]

Fiber washers work fine. 

[Chris Campbell]

5 hours ago, Synnove Vikstrom said:

After some research it looks like the red thrusts are "vulcanized fiber", brown are phenolic resin, yellow is brass or bronze obviously. Shims are usually steel sandwiched between thrusts.

Not sure what the really thin black ones are.

My motivation for replacing them (aside from obvious cases where they've disintegrated or are missing) would be to secure a better tolerance than what the old washers can offer (run time will have made them thinner), and because the old ones probably have wear metals embedded.

Really don’t feel any advantage between phenolic or vulcanized. You want to shim gaps once magnetic center is determined and will likely be mixing colors. I do feel thinner ones stick together better and that could prevent washers from chattering. You will not find many fans with metal shims

[Paul Carmody]

Westinghouse have one usually brass in the front.It is precisely fit in the front recess.I believe it helps stabilize the shaft as the ones I’ve messed with always had tight bearings.My memory is not that great but I think some had one in the rear too.They are one fan that the OD for the washers are important in the front.The rotors and shims from 4 different fans.

Edited July 20, 2024 by Paul Carmody

[Synnove Vikstrom]

On 7/20/2024 at 2:14 PM, Paul Carmody said:

Westinghouse have one usually brass in the front.It is precisely fit in the front recess.

Is this only on the older style ones? Only Westinghouse I have is a 12" Vader and there's no brass washer or recess.

[Paul Carmody]

Use red fiber washers.Doesn’t matter where you buy them.Ace ,eBay ,Amazon , McMaster and Carr.As long as the ID is correct ,metric or SAE .

[Mark Olson]

4 minutes ago, Paul Carmody said:

Use red fiber washers.Doesn’t matter where you buy them.Ace ,eBay ,Amazon , McMaster and Carr.As long as the ID is correct ,metric or SAE .

Well, almost. As previously stated, there are exceptions where the outside diameter is important, as well as the material and thickness. For these special cases, Mcmaster Carr is probably the best "one stop shopping" alternative. Some motors end up missing an inch or so spacer, and while one could stack fifty, more or less, thin fiber washers, a better solution would be to cut a length of tube material and shim to the final clearance.

[Paul Carmody]

Courtesy ( Russ Huber )old forum.McMaster and Carr comprehensive list.Synove ,what your working on now you do not need all these and the shipping on one item will eat you alive.With McMaster I compile a list of everything I would need from them to make the shipping seem realistic.If I need a thinner one I just lay it on fine sandpaper and slide it back and forth with finger.I do use a caliper.

Edited July 22, 2024 by Paul Carmody

[Paul Carmody]

Since your new you want a maximum 1/16 play with no less than 1/32 I usually go for the tighter side to limit shaft movement and chatter.If you are going to get into the hobby I would say fill the list above.I need  a refill myself.

Edited July 23, 2024 by Paul Carmody

[Synnove Vikstrom]

On 7/22/2024 at 12:10 PM, Paul Carmody said:

Since your new you want a maximum 1/16 play with no less than 1/32 I usually go for the tighter side to limit shaft movement and chatter.If you are going to get into the hobby I would say fill the list above.I need  a refill myself.

These are good parameters to have. What I'll probably do is get some fiber stock and use a precision punch set, that way I can make them as needed.