Wondering where I can buy these? I think the correct name is "Radial Shaft Seal". The one on the left in the photo is for MTD/Rover, the one on the right is Victa. They go behind the wheel on the axle to keep out dust. Over time they wear out and sometimes get damaged if a bearing gets rusted to the axle. The Victa ones go brittle with age. The Victa one has the same axle diameter as Rover/MTD but has a smaller OD. I am finding that the ones on MTD wheels are a mm or two too wide for older model Rovers (the centre bit sticks out too far), so I've had to grind a bit off. They sometimes come with new wheels, but am having trouble sourcing them as a standalone product.
For some reason I didn't give cup washers a thought. That's a great idea! The only 3D printing place near me usually wants over 100 bucks to do the design/setup but then the part is around $20. We need a few others to start up to go in competition with him.
Hi again Max, Not sure what cup washers you are using as I searched and searched but can't find anything that will remotely fit. I will try to get some 3D printed, but costs are way higher than you quoted. All of the 3D print people I have contacted want over hundred dollars just to scan it in and then each one will cost around $10 each. Hardly worth it for a 25 cent part.
Yes, you could spend a lot of time looking online and still find no sizes listed for the part. The local bolt shop is usually my first stop for things like cup washers; you can usually get a bag full of bolts and washers for just a few dollars.
I’d suggest getting some scrap electrical conduit (PVC pipe), cutting a few millimeters to fit into the wheel, and simply using a flat washer against that. I don't think it's worth spending much money on these washers when you can easily make something that does the job.
I’ve made plenty of parts using scrap plastic, a soldering iron to weld the pieces together, and a heat gun to shape them to size. Large flat washers don’t take much time to make, either. I’ve made many parts out of those black Victa rear discharge doors; you can make a plastic flat washer by cutting them with tin snips and drilling a hole. Sometimes a hole saw is perfect for the size I'm after, or I'll just use—or make—a metal flat washer.
Even if you can’t find PVC pipe with the right diameter, you can cut a slot in the pipe, heat it up, and close the gap while it’s hot to reduce the diameter. If you need to make the diameter bigger, it’s easier to cut a flat piece of plastic, heat it, and roll it over a piece of steel (or socket from socket set) to get the size you need.
As for getting those pipe spacers to have two perfectly flat sides: if you can’t cut it perfectly straight at home, just cut it a few millimeters longer and grind the sides down flat on a pedestal grinder (side of the grinder wheel).
I did have another look at 3D printing in QLD but most likely not worth the hassle for these small parts.
To get parts printed cheaply in Queensland, your best bet is to head to a council-run Makerspace or Media Lab, with the State Library of Queensland (The Edge) in Brisbane, Ipswich Libraries, Logan City Libraries, and the Helensvale branch on the Gold Coast being the top spots for public access. To get started, you should first find or create a 3D design file (STL format)—you can often find mower part designs on sites like Thingiverse—and then check your local library’s website to see if they require a quick safety induction or if you can simply submit the file via a web form for staff to print. While many libraries like Ipswich offer a few free prints per year to members or charge a small fee based on the weight of the plastic (usually just a few dollars), keep in mind that they often use PLA plastic, so if you’re making a durable mower washer, ask if they have PETG filament available or print the part with a high "infill" density to ensure it doesn't crack under the pressure from the wheel retainer.
Quick Directory for QLD 3D Printing: Brisbane (The Edge at SLQ): Offers "Open Lab" sessions where you can use printers for free after a $45 induction; perfect for DIYers who want to be hands-on.
Ipswich (Central & Springfield): Excellent Makerspaces that provide free printing to members who complete their introductory sessions.
Logan (Hyperdome Library): A convenient "staff-mediated" service where you submit your file online, pay a small fee at the branch, and pick up your part a few days later.
Gold Coast (Helensvale): Features a high-quality Media Lab where you can bring your file on a USB and have staff print it using professional-grade equipment.
Townsville & Cairns: Check the Riverway (Townsville) or Smithfield (Cairns) branches for their dedicated fabrication labs and 3D workshops.
