Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-26-2018, 12:54 AM   #1
3.6rs
Senior Member
 
3.6rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Belgistan (formerly known as Belgium)
Posts: 573
Default Making A parts with lathe

Does anyone here makes (or made) his own model A parts with a lathe ?
If so, what did you fabricate ? (pictures are always nice to see).
3.6rs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 08:37 AM   #2
Kevin in NJ
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South East NJ
Posts: 3,398
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Custom bushings for the steering sector output was one case.

The bushings they sell do not seem large enough, at least the ones I bought, for new sector shaft. That is the sector shaft fit in without needing to hone to size. I reground a very slightly worn (a bit over .001") shaft and made a bushing that was honed to fit the smaller diameter.

I have made some tools up here and there. Usually to fix stuff most people dont fix.

I have a short be Southbend 9" Model A.

If anyone is interesting in getting a lathe just check craigslist every day. You never know what shows up- CHEAP. I got one that had a little bit of way wear for $300 with some tooling. A guy at work got one that was basically new for $300. Bought another for $300 for the metal table and the 6 jaw chuck. Sold the lathe for $325 a few years later when my brother picked up an almost new 4 1/2' bed SB 9 for, yes you guessed it $300. I have to say, usually the SB 9 in decent shape can sell for $1000 with some some tools.
Kevin in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 02-26-2018, 10:30 AM   #3
Mark in MT
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Western MT
Posts: 218
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

I was recently in need of some throttle plates for Model B Zenith carbs, not available through normal sources, so I figured out how to make them on the lathe. Now I can restore the ones with bad throttle plates. ( People thought that it was a good idea to drive a punch on the plate to loosen a stuck shaft.)


Mark
__________________
Mark in MT

Always looking for another opportunity to be wrong.
Mark in MT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 10:39 AM   #4
SSsssteamer
Senior Member
 
SSsssteamer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Posts: 1,023
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

I use our lathes for making all type of parts for our Model A Fords. I have restored worn out Model A shocks using my lathe. Parts that were worn out beyond use have been welded up, and then I turned them back down to like new specifications. Door pins, brake rod pins, spring shackle bushings, drive shaft seal area restoration, speedometer drive gear speed adapter restoration, special bolt sizes, and the list goes on and on. The lathe is also useful in building those special tools one needs during the restoration of his Model A Ford.
SSsssteamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 11:02 AM   #5
100IH
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SW Idaho
Posts: 970
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

The unique thing about a lathe is it's the only tool that can reproduce itself. An amazing fact, even if only partially true. Most of the time I am using my South Bend 9" is to make tools to work on the Car. Bushing drivers, a contraption held in a vise to mount a wheel and indicate run out, The Barrett tool for centering brake shoes, tool for fuel level, tools for using an I beam when measuring and straightening frames, and toe gauge. Having more fun on the lathe than working on the car.
100IH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 12:42 PM   #6
slammin
Senior Member
 
slammin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Fruita, CO
Posts: 281
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
A well equipped lathe is a very versatile tool. Turning, drill, knurling, polishing, chasing threads. When I started my apprenticeship in 1967, the lathe was the first machine I trained on. My shop lathe is a 1960s Clausing Colchester, 13" with a 48" bed. I bought it in 2001. At that time, used small lathes were more expensive than larger lathes. Guys with home shops don't have space for a 20" x 84" machine.
slammin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 03:17 PM   #7
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,484
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Quote:
Originally Posted by 100IH View Post
The unique thing about a lathe is it's the only tool that can reproduce itself. An amazing fact, even if only partially true. Most of the time I am using my South Bend 9" is to make tools to work on the Car. Bushing drivers, a contraption held in a vise to mount a wheel and indicate run out, The Barrett tool for centering brake shoes, tool for fuel level, tools for using an I beam when measuring and straightening frames, and toe gauge. Having more fun on the lathe than working on the car.



Yeah, ...and how does a 3D Printer fit into the 'only tool reproducing itself' comment???


.
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 03:41 PM   #8
SeaSlugs
Senior Member
 
SeaSlugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central, IL
Posts: 3,968
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

I think the most important tool we can all agree on is the media/sandblaster...

Then press

Then lathe in my book
__________________
1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!
SeaSlugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 05:01 PM   #9
Bill G
Senior Member
 
Bill G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Walla Walla, WA
Posts: 1,044
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
Yeah, ...and how does a 3D Printer fit into the 'only tool reproducing itself' comment???


.
Brent: You beat me to the question (I think). I would like to know if any of the suppliers use a 3-d printer to make molds for things that they currently sell. Alternatively, has anyone here done it in their own shop, and if so, on what?
Bill G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 05:49 PM   #10
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,471
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

There seems to some little job I do on the lathe most days. Some small and easy, some a challenge. Those little 1/4" balls for the throttle linkages when I make a new linkage after fitting a downdraught carburettor would be about the simplest I've done recently. Sometimes, I surprise myself with what I remember from school days when we were taught the basics. I'd be lost without my lathe!
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 06:04 PM   #11
George Miller
Senior Member
 
George Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2,975
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Grinding a crank shaft in a lathe.

I have used my lathe to make many parts for my A's
Attached Images
File Type: jpg grinding crankshaft in a lathe 002.jpg (69.5 KB, 227 views)
George Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 07:21 PM   #12
hardtimes
Senior Member
 
hardtimes's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South California
Posts: 6,188
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Quote:
Originally Posted by George Miller View Post
Grinding a crank shaft in a lathe.

I have used my lathe to make many parts for my A's
Hey George,
Your skills and creations are amazing...to me !


Timely subject this is. Today, I went to help an older timer with one of his projects.
He is a former aircraft machinist and marine. He makes small parts while I watch at times. He makes it seem so simple.


Well, today, I made my first part ever on one of his large lathes ! Wow, fit perfect. He stood by and verbally guided blind hands to success. First he went thru a litany of the machine part names/nomenclature(?).
This guy builds almost everything that he needs for a car, very custom.


He smiles as I tell him of the crude tools/methods that I use to make something and/or something to fit something i.e.- grinder/vise/hand tools.


Wonder if I need to get a lathe now !!!
hardtimes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 07:28 PM   #13
Will Ziegler in LI NY
Senior Member
 
Will Ziegler in LI NY's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Northport, NY
Posts: 178
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

I have a South Bend 9"

I have made many tools and parts.
Tools such as bushing drivers and for setting up rear end gears.
Parts such as thrust washers for distributors.
Have machined 7 tooth steering shafts for new lower bushings
Have bored out 2 tooth sector housings for a seal (using an expanding arbor that I made on the lathe).
Have used it to check runout on drum hub flanges

I am sure there is more...it is a great tool to have.
Will Ziegler in LI NY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 07:55 PM   #14
SSsssteamer
Senior Member
 
SSsssteamer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Posts: 1,023
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Quote:
Originally Posted by 100IH View Post
The unique thing about a lathe is it's the only tool that can reproduce itself....
In my day, that quote originally was meant to read: "The milling machine is the only machine that can duplicate it's self". Now you also have the digital duplicating machines too. I also use our lathes to turn down the commutators of the model A Ford's starters and generators.
SSsssteamer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 08:35 PM   #15
SeaSlugs
Senior Member
 
SeaSlugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central, IL
Posts: 3,968
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Quote:
Originally Posted by SSsssteamer View Post
In my day, that quote originally was meant to read: "The milling machine is the only machine that can duplicate it's self". Now you also have the digital duplicating machines too. I also use our lathes to turn down the commutators of the model A Ford's starters and generators.
I chucked up the gears in my trans in a lathe to get them nice n square. Just kept slowly creeping in till it was just barely cutting all the way across the gear tooth. Very quiet trans now that shifts like it has synchros.
__________________
1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!
SeaSlugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 08:36 PM   #16
1930 coupe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 226
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Make special model A tools, rework reproduction parts to make them fit, weld up and turn down wore original parts. Repair parts that the wife brings home from work. You can chuck a tight pickle jar lid in it and unscrew the jar. Face flywheels.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg lathe.jpg (190.9 KB, 133 views)
1930 coupe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 08:50 PM   #17
George Miller
Senior Member
 
George Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2,975
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Quote:
Originally Posted by hardtimes View Post
Hey George,
Your skills and creations are amazing...to me !

Timely subject this is. Today, I went to help an older timer with one of his projects.
He is a former aircraft machinist and marine. He makes small parts while I watch at times. He makes it seem so simple.

Well, today, I made my first part ever on one of his large lathes ! Wow, fit perfect. He stood by and verbally guided blind hands to success. First he went thru a litany of the machine part names/nomenclature(?).
This guy builds almost everything that he needs for a car, very custom.




He smiles as I tell him of the crude tools/methods that I use to make something and/or something to fit something i.e.- grinder/vise/hand tools.


Wonder if I need to get a lathe now !!!
My answer is yes you need a lathe. There is not much you can not do on a lathe.
make sure you get a 4 jaw chuck, that is what I use most of the time.
George Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2018, 03:28 PM   #18
Cool Hand Lurker
Senior Member
 
Cool Hand Lurker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Minn
Posts: 1,564
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Ditto on the 4-jaw chuck. Having both inside and outside jaws is nice too. Even better is a collet set.
Cool Hand Lurker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2018, 06:08 PM   #19
CarlG
Senior Member
 
CarlG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,109
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Quote:
Originally Posted by Magicbox51 View Post
Brent: You beat me to the question (I think). I would like to know if any of the suppliers use a 3-d printer to make molds for things that they currently sell. Alternatively, has anyone here done it in their own shop, and if so, on what?
I think Tod is using 3-D printing in making some of the molds for his heads.
__________________
Alaskan A's
Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska
Model A Ford Club of America
Model A Restorers Club
Antique Automobile Club of America
Mullins Owner's Club
CarlG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2018, 06:25 PM   #20
John Stone
Senior Member
 
John Stone's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Posts: 710
Default Re: Making A parts with lathe

Used my old Montgomery Wards (Logan) to make my babbitt molds for T,A,B and V8. Really don't like those other ones, just A's.

Undercut the oil pump shafts and any other thing that seems in need of a lathe.
John Stone is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:18 AM.