I have turned a 14" long rolling pin made from hard maple with a Celtic Knot inlay, to which I am adding 4" handles at each end. This will be used and not a decorative piece. I came to the "rolling" part and am in a quandary. I bought a 3/8" food grade ss rod for the pivot. I will epoxy about 3" in each handle. I plan on putting a nylon washer as a bushing between each handle and the roller.
My question involves mounting the rod. I bought sealed roller bearings. I had planned on insetting one flush on each end, and having the ss shaft roll inside of them. My concern is that these aren't very expensive, and so I question the viability of the "sealed" part. Should the seal give up, then flour would get into the bearing and gum up the works. With epoxied handles, this would be a death knell.
On the other hand, I could just put the ss rod through the roller and allow the roller to rotate directly on the rod. The question then is what size the hole for the 3/8" rod? 25/64? 7/16? 1/2"?. I want the roller to roll smoothly but not be sloppy. I also don't want a place for flour to settle and get gummed up.
Go with the bearings? If not, what size hole????