Vintage Windmill and Wind Generator Forum

Double nuts took the place of lock washers. Double nuts on bearings/caps were for getting the right clearance, or squeeze on the bearing. Tighten the nut to get the right tension, and lock it with a second nut. This is a place where a lock washer will not work. bolt caps here were not usually very tight, maybe just snug.

Now I understand the mechanical theory behind the double nutting ...... thank you

Very well said Windy. Thanks

Another way manufacturers adjusted the clearance of the bearing caps was they put SHiMS under the bearing caps and as the babbit wore you removed the right amount of shims to compensate the right clearance and using only one nut tightening it down !!