The Ford Barn

Tinker · 12-17-2013, 02:47 PM

So in the back of a antique shop I frequent, there sat a Barrett brake lathe and shoe grinder. Seems they cleaned out an old mechanics garage after he passed. There is also a SUN lower cabinet in decent shape and an old oil pump that I left there. The sun cabinet looks decent. Must of the stuff they sell goes to people that want unique industrial stuff to put in there office and homes.

The brake lathe and grinder is very complete and works.... so now it's in my backyard. Don't know what I will do with it at this point. Probably clean it and rewire the bad cords for now.

Does anyone have a manual for it I can print out? Any information that anyone could send my way I would appreciate it.

Tinker · 12-17-2013, 02:59 PM

Pictures of the sun cab.

V12Bill · 12-17-2013, 03:20 PM

That brake shoe grinder is what everyone needs to arc their shoes. If you do use it , use a respirator and use it out doors to keep the asbestos dust out of the shop and your lungs.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 12-17-2013, 04:18 PM

I used one of these at a tire store and we matched every shoe we fitted to the drum. Works like a top once set up......

Kurt in NJ · 12-17-2013, 10:33 PM

The drum lathe has the adapters to do the tapered axle Ford rear drums, it can turn the drum with the rear bearing and seal still installed---another feature that makes it different --and better than other drum lathes is that it can't make a spiral "thread" , it turns a little more than 1 turn then advances the feed using a ratchet.---the slight grooves from machining are rows of circles instead of spiral like a thread of a bolt.

Robert Dip · 12-18-2013, 09:37 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Tinker....start a business....we all need old Ford shoes arced to match our turned drums. These were standard equipment in auto parts stores back in the day......wish I had such a drum & arc machine here today....Robert

BUBBAS IGNITION · 12-18-2013, 10:06 AM

A business would work i believe!!
I sold my tire truer and my old amoco drum lathe and shoe grinder when we located a few years ago.
We did quite a few old vintage car drums and shoes every month..
A lot of new off shore drums were turned to make them straight and then matched the shoes to the drums especially a ton of Model A stuff. They worked very well when matched etc....

Tinker · 12-18-2013, 10:22 AM

Thanks guys for the information.

Once I get it all together and have a good understanding of how it all works, and above all, the allowable tolerances for brake systems (Don't want to overturn a drum). I will put one of my drums on it. As far as a business, I'm not sure about that. I would be more then willing to help out some local guys when needed. Not sure mailing a drum or a set of drums cross country would be cost effective though. Always an option for weekends I guess.

I would also like to alter the lathe some (without destroying it) to be able to machine the outside of hit/miss flywheels. Need to be able to go out to a 12-13" radius - 22"-24" diameter.

I did run the lathe last night on the drum that is on it now. It worked very well.

Robert Dip · 12-18-2013, 11:42 AM

Not drums.....plenty of shops around to do that....just shoes....easy and cost effective to mail. If someone could supply you locally with shoes....sell the shoes with the required arc...say 20 bucks additional for the arcing 'job'. All said in fun....I see you are a snowbird being in Fl by now and in MN when the weather behaves. Ta hell with shoes!!!!

Bob C · 12-18-2013, 12:19 PM

You are missing the brake shoe holder unless it is laying loose someplace.

Bob

Tinker · 12-18-2013, 01:08 PM

There where a lot of different odds and ends that came with it, including a model A hub puller. But yes that part is missing, but hopefully it can be located. I have sent pictures and they said they will help to locate it by looking in the warehouse and contacting the original owners son. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Robert I am actually not a snowbird. I live in florida, but I will always be from Minnesota! Wasn't trying to mislead anyone. I don't want to get into the shoe grinding business for many reasons, liability or otherwise. But I would help someone out ;]. Just a cool piece of history that may come in handy also.

brian cameron · 10-26-2014, 03:30 PM

Just wanted to say I've got one of the Barrett Brake Mobiles for sale. I just listed it on the swap section. It's in considerably better shape than the one pictured hereand works great.
Thanks

brian cameron · 10-26-2014, 03:38 PM

Well I'm sorry to say I wasn't able to list the Brake Mobile on the swap board since it is for only Ford parts. Please excuse me. Wasn't trying to make trouble. I did post it for sale on the Jalopy Journal H.A.M.B. today though if anyone is interested.
Thanks

oldgoaly · 10-27-2014, 01:36 PM

A little bit of history, John C. Stiles started making misc tools in the teen's Herman Johnson developed the Stiles-Herman fender rollers then brake repair tools. Mr. Medart came along, then Mr Barrett joined with Stiles, a few items are marked Stiles-Medart and Stiles-Barrett. It appears Barrett took over in the late 1930 or early 40's. They were based in St.Louis, Mo.

Tinker · 10-27-2014, 02:12 PM

I used the lathe the other day to cleanup a couple drums. Worked like a charm. Never did get the grinder arm. I think it's something I can fab up or I might just get a aamco one as they come up from time to time.

Brian if you part it out (which I'm sure you won't), keep me in mind.

12-17-2013, 03:20 PM	#3
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please That brake shoe grinder is what everyone needs to arc their shoes. If you do use it , use a respirator and use it out doors to keep the asbestos dust out of the shop and your lungs.

12-17-2013, 04:18 PM	#4
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please I used one of these at a tire store and we matched every shoe we fitted to the drum. Works like a top once set up...... __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

12-17-2013, 10:33 PM	#5
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please The drum lathe has the adapters to do the tapered axle Ford rear drums, it can turn the drum with the rear bearing and seal still installed---another feature that makes it different --and better than other drum lathes is that it can't make a spiral "thread" , it turns a little more than 1 turn then advances the feed using a ratchet.---the slight grooves from machining are rows of circles instead of spiral like a thread of a bolt.

12-18-2013, 09:37 AM	#6
Robert Dip Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Candiac, Qc. Posts: 483	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Tinker....start a business....we all need old Ford shoes arced to match our turned drums. These were standard equipment in auto parts stores back in the day......wish I had such a drum & arc machine here today....Robert

12-18-2013, 10:06 AM	#7
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please A business would work i believe!! I sold my tire truer and my old amoco drum lathe and shoe grinder when we located a few years ago. We did quite a few old vintage car drums and shoes every month.. A lot of new off shore drums were turned to make them straight and then matched the shoes to the drums especially a ton of Model A stuff. They worked very well when matched etc.... __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

12-18-2013, 10:22 AM	#8
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please Thanks guys for the information. Once I get it all together and have a good understanding of how it all works, and above all, the allowable tolerances for brake systems (Don't want to overturn a drum). I will put one of my drums on it. As far as a business, I'm not sure about that. I would be more then willing to help out some local guys when needed. Not sure mailing a drum or a set of drums cross country would be cost effective though. Always an option for weekends I guess. I would also like to alter the lathe some (without destroying it) to be able to machine the outside of hit/miss flywheels. Need to be able to go out to a 12-13" radius - 22"-24" diameter. I did run the lathe last night on the drum that is on it now. It worked very well.

12-18-2013, 11:42 AM	#9
Robert Dip Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Candiac, Qc. Posts: 483	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please Not drums.....plenty of shops around to do that....just shoes....easy and cost effective to mail. If someone could supply you locally with shoes....sell the shoes with the required arc...say 20 bucks additional for the arcing 'job'. All said in fun....I see you are a snowbird being in Fl by now and in MN when the weather behaves. Ta hell with shoes!!!!

12-18-2013, 01:08 PM	#11
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please There where a lot of different odds and ends that came with it, including a model A hub puller. But yes that part is missing, but hopefully it can be located. I have sent pictures and they said they will help to locate it by looking in the warehouse and contacting the original owners son. Keeping my fingers crossed. Robert I am actually not a snowbird. I live in florida, but I will always be from Minnesota! Wasn't trying to mislead anyone. I don't want to get into the shoe grinding business for many reasons, liability or otherwise. But I would help someone out ;]. Just a cool piece of history that may come in handy also. Last edited by Tinker; 12-20-2013 at 09:59 AM. Reason: sp

10-26-2014, 03:30 PM	#12
brian cameron Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 2	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please Just wanted to say I've got one of the Barrett Brake Mobiles for sale. I just listed it on the swap section. It's in considerably better shape than the one pictured hereand works great. Thanks

10-26-2014, 03:38 PM	#13
brian cameron Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 2	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please Well I'm sorry to say I wasn't able to list the Brake Mobile on the swap board since it is for only Ford parts. Please excuse me. Wasn't trying to make trouble. I did post it for sale on the Jalopy Journal H.A.M.B. today though if anyone is interested. Thanks

10-27-2014, 01:36 PM	#14
oldgoaly Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please A little bit of history, John C. Stiles started making misc tools in the teen's Herman Johnson developed the Stiles-Herman fender rollers then brake repair tools. Mr. Medart came along, then Mr Barrett joined with Stiles, a few items are marked Stiles-Medart and Stiles-Barrett. It appears Barrett took over in the late 1930 or early 40's. They were based in St.Louis, Mo.

10-27-2014, 02:12 PM	#15
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Barrett Brake Lathe and Shoe Grinder Info please I used the lathe the other day to cleanup a couple drums. Worked like a charm. Never did get the grinder arm. I think it's something I can fab up or I might just get a aamco one as they come up from time to time. Brian if you part it out (which I'm sure you won't), keep me in mind.