So the bearing spun in the casing? Are they plain brass bearings?

If you are going to make one - I would try a self lubricating bush? (Called Sullube from memory)

Much better - bronze with a graphite type lube in-bedded with the steel.

You don't need to lube these things at all...


Like here - http://www.lubroglide.com/

Local bearing shop will have them in all sorts of sizes.