The Ford Barn

Charles Reese · 01-09-2011, 01:43 PM

Not content after installing reproduction body sockets. Destroyed one (do not recall the vendor as they were ordered early in restoration) and the outer lip of the others do not lie flat against the sheet metal.

Suspect finding 8 originals is out of the question so am inquiring about anyone’s experience with Bratton’s #28880 body socket? Catalog states “new tooling much better quality than in the past”. Mac’s (A81002) seems to be a similar item but a bit less expensive.

Thanks, as always!

rotorwrench · 01-09-2011, 02:54 PM

I've been purchasing from Bratton's for a long time and know they usually try to stock the best available restoration repro parts for the old As. That doesn't mean they have a different product than everyone else is selling though. I would like to hear some experienced input on this as well since I will be needing to install some in a 29 roadster project soon.

Kerby

Back to the top.

HoarseWhisperer · 01-09-2011, 04:02 PM

I had so many cheap repro sockets that blew up and fell apart.

Used a washer to tap the crimping on the back-side and still had trouble with them.

Did find a quality set from a vendor in French Lick (MARC Meet), but cannot recall who it was.

Ron Geer · 01-09-2011, 04:24 PM

Chuck - Try Lebaron Bonney for body sockets. Ron.

peters180a/170b · 01-09-2011, 05:04 PM

A+L Parts had a supply of N.O.S. original nickel plated sockets.. He had them on ebay a couple of times . Their price was a set for roadster was $39.00 ...[Deluxe Phaetons had 2 more then roadster] .Don't know if they have anymore . ?? Before Al died he was looking on making them better then whats out there.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-09-2011, 05:15 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yes, A&L definitely has the best ones out there right now.

.

jimvette59 · 01-09-2011, 05:27 PM

Has any body looked into www.RestorationStuff.com It has a lot of hard to find items. Check it out.

wardkew · 01-09-2011, 09:44 PM

I got mine from Lebaron Bonney and have no complaints.

Ron in Quincy · 01-09-2011, 11:12 PM

Original sockets were made out of brass and nickled plated. Some of the replacement are made of stainless; trying to set these in the body, due to their hardness, its difficult to up set the crimped end which locks the socket in the hole. I've tried using a wood dowel and a metal punch; you almost dent the area trying to up set the crimp.

I gave up and had some originals nickled plated.

Ron

Charles Reese · 01-10-2011, 08:35 AM

hints on how to remove the poor fitting repros w/o 'spinning' and destroying paint?

Larry Seemann · 01-10-2011, 07:04 PM

It really hurts your feelings when you dent the door trying to set the socket. You can guess how I know. One of those mistakes you only make once.

Charles Reese · 01-11-2011, 07:31 PM

i feel your pain! mine is on a quater panel .. ugh

01-09-2011, 04:02 PM	#3
HoarseWhisperer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,470	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket I had so many cheap repro sockets that blew up and fell apart. Used a washer to tap the crimping on the back-side and still had trouble with them. Did find a quality set from a vendor in French Lick (MARC Meet), but cannot recall who it was. __________________ I know a lot of things; I just can't remember them all. 1928 CCPU 82-A 1931 Roadster 40-B Dlx (Canadian)

01-09-2011, 04:24 PM	#4
Ron Geer Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 27	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket Chuck - Try Lebaron Bonney for body sockets. Ron.

01-09-2011, 05:04 PM	#5
peters180a/170b Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Putnam Valley N.Y. Posts: 2,151	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket A+L Parts had a supply of N.O.S. original nickel plated sockets.. He had them on ebay a couple of times . Their price was a set for roadster was $39.00 ...[Deluxe Phaetons had 2 more then roadster] .Don't know if they have anymore . ?? Before Al died he was looking on making them better then whats out there.

01-09-2011, 05:15 PM	#6
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yes, A&L definitely has the best ones out there right now. . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

01-09-2011, 05:27 PM	#7
jimvette59 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perry OH Posts: 1,329	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket Has any body looked into www.RestorationStuff.com It has a lot of hard to find items. Check it out.

01-09-2011, 02:54 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket I've been purchasing from Bratton's for a long time and know they usually try to stock the best available restoration repro parts for the old As. That doesn't mean they have a different product than everyone else is selling though. I would like to hear some experienced input on this as well since I will be needing to install some in a 29 roadster project soon. Kerby Back to the top.

01-09-2011, 09:44 PM	#8
wardkew Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 78	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket I got mine from Lebaron Bonney and have no complaints.

01-09-2011, 11:12 PM	#9
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket Original sockets were made out of brass and nickled plated. Some of the replacement are made of stainless; trying to set these in the body, due to their hardness, its difficult to up set the crimped end which locks the socket in the hole. I've tried using a wood dowel and a metal punch; you almost dent the area trying to up set the crimp. I gave up and had some originals nickled plated. Ron

01-10-2011, 08:35 AM	#10
Charles Reese Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 882	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket hints on how to remove the poor fitting repros w/o 'spinning' and destroying paint?

01-10-2011, 07:04 PM	#11
Larry Seemann Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spokane, WA. Posts: 496	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket It really hurts your feelings when you dent the door trying to set the socket. You can guess how I know. One of those mistakes you only make once. __________________ Larry Seemann

01-11-2011, 07:31 PM	#12
Charles Reese Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 882	Re: Open Vehicle Body Socket i feel your pain! mine is on a quater panel .. ugh