Project Rollers - Take 4

The rollers are really coming together now! I've been shopping for some pipe to use as spacers to be able to clamp the roller drums in place without improperly stressing the bearings. I wanted to find a pipe that would just fit over the 1/2-inch axles. Guess what...that's not a common size pipe. The local steel supplier's website advertised schedule 10, 3/8-inch pipe with an inside diameter 5/100'ths larger than 1/2 inch. When I called to see if they had any in stock, the salesman told me that shouldn't even be on the website...Great!

I had basically put that on the back burner and went into my neighborhood hardware store to get some bolts to use as axles for the floating frame wheels. While I was in there I decided to check on their very minimal pipe stock. To my great surprise and amazement, they had galvanized pipe that had a 6/10'ths-inch inside diameter. It's called EMT conduit. (Who would have thought that EMT's use conduit?) Better yet, it was $3.50 for a 10-foot stick! That was savings enough to purchase a little pipe cutter to make accurate cuts with...

With all my spacers cut, I am now ready to assemble the main frame...
...except I had a couple more holes to drill first. So, risking the possibility of waking my family at 6:00 this morning, I drilled the necessary holes. I'm stepping the drilling, and could really use to add one more step between 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch, but whatever.
Here's my setup for drilling. It took a bit of care to get the drill press level so that I could drill a vertical hole...granted that I placed the piece to drill level also. A friend suggested I gang-drill the frame pieces so the holes were certain to be aligned. Good suggestion!

If you look close in this picture, you can see the little zingers of hot metal coming off the bit. I love that! They smoke as they fly because they are burning the lube oil.
I have now purchased almost everything I need for the rollers. The last things on the list are bungee chords, a roller belt, wood for the floating frame, and some paint to dress it up when I'm done. We should be seeing some full assembly shots very soon!

Granted that this project works out, I have just signed up for an event that will put my rollers to the test! I signed up for the very first 100 Miles of Nowhere race. This event has been organized by a man with strong reasons to support cancer research, and 2/3 of the registration for the event goes to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. With cancer all around, and even very recently on the minds of my own family, I signed up for the event. Yes, I'm paying a small sum to ride 100 miles on my own...going nowhere! Sarah flipped when I told her. :P The reward will be knowing I've helped out just a little. Anyone crazy enough to join me?