I am making a davit for a hoist. The davit (imagine a figure 4 with a long leg) will be about 14' high, with about a 3' crosspiece. A diagonal will go from the top down to the crosspiece. An electric hoist will be put on it.
At the bottom, I want to pour a SonoTube concrete base. The top will be attached to a roofing timber.
My question is about the base. I had imagined just welding a large washer to the base of the 2" x 2" x .250" tubing. Then, in the SonoTube, I would place a round rod post with a washer welded on there. Attach it by welding to a rebar frame to distribute the load. The washers would rub face to face, with some lithium grease on them. I figured I would stack at least a couple of spacer washers on there to keep the welded ones from wearing.
This will be out in the weather 24/7. Snow, rain, sunshine.
I was wondering if I should use some kind of bearing, and if so, what kind? Mounting a round bearing to a square tube would require some kind of adapter unless I could weld it on direct.
This is going to get minimal use, only turning 90 degrees, and being used maybe half a dozen times a month. No heavy wear.
What would you do? The simple washer thingus, or a bearing? Somewhere I could get a baseplate/bearing combo?
OR?
Advice appreciated.