The Ford Barn

doug.nichols · 11-26-2018, 09:06 PM

Undoubtedly an old question, but how does one tell if brake drums are pressed steel or cast iron?

Synchro909 · 11-26-2018, 09:36 PM

There are several manufacturers of cast iron drums and the external appearance of all of them are different but all have one easy to spot feature that distinguishes them from a steel drum. Even as I walk past a car, I can tell whether the drums are steel or cast by looking at the edge of the drum where it is close to the backing plate. The steel ones are stiffened by rolling the edge over so that what you see looks hollow while the cast ones are solid around the outer edge.
Hope I explained that clearly enough!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-26-2018, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

There are several manufacturers of cast iron drums and the external appearance of all of them are different but all have one easy to spot feature that distinguishes them from a steel drum. Even as I walk past a car, I can tell whether the drums are steel or cast by looking at the edge of the drum where it is close to the backing plate. The steel ones are stiffened by rolling the edge over so that what you see looks hollow while the cast ones are solid around the outer edge.
Hope I explained that clearly enough!

"Procrastinate now"---"Don't put it off"---THAT'S RICH--LOL
Bill Williamson

160B · 11-26-2018, 11:48 PM

Here is a photo of a cast iron drum (left) next to a steel drum (right), the rolled edge on the steel drum is the key element to look for.

Synchro909 · 11-27-2018, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

"Procrastinate now"---"Don't put it off"---THAT'S RICH--LOL
Bill Williamson

At least I got around to putting it in my signature!

SAJ · 11-27-2018, 05:16 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Welcome back Bill. Keep that brain working, the words will return as the brain heals and the memory recovers.
You and Buster T were missed
SAJ in NZ

Ernie Vitucci · 11-27-2018, 10:02 AM

Good Morning Bill...Great to see you on the site...Feel better every day. Ernie in Arizona

California Travieso · 11-27-2018, 10:05 AM

Bill, glad to see you back and in you usual form.

David Serrano

Anteek29 · 11-27-2018, 11:07 AM

You've been missed, Bill. Keep crankin!

Synchro909 · 11-27-2018, 03:42 PM

Bill, good to see you didn't procrastinate your return.

doug.nichols · 11-27-2018, 05:51 PM

Thanks 160B. The visual is very helpful.

Doug

larrys40 · 11-27-2018, 10:43 PM

Randy Gross's cast iron drums are good. cost and quality wise his have done well. Unless a customer brings me drums I generally use his and have done many brake jobs.

Randy's a great guy to work with and I recommend his drums, and if you need I'm sure his other services are top notch.

Larry Shepard

11-26-2018, 09:06 PM	#1
doug.nichols Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Olga, WA Posts: 184	Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Undoubtedly an old question, but how does one tell if brake drums are pressed steel or cast iron?

11-26-2018, 09:36 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? There are several manufacturers of cast iron drums and the external appearance of all of them are different but all have one easy to spot feature that distinguishes them from a steel drum. Even as I walk past a car, I can tell whether the drums are steel or cast by looking at the edge of the drum where it is close to the backing plate. The steel ones are stiffened by rolling the edge over so that what you see looks hollow while the cast ones are solid around the outer edge. Hope I explained that clearly enough! __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

11-26-2018, 11:48 PM	#4
160B Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 1,498	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Here is a photo of a cast iron drum (left) next to a steel drum (right), the rolled edge on the steel drum is the key element to look for. __________________ 1931 160B & 1931 68B If you don't have time to do it right the 1st time, how do you have time to do it the 2nd time?

11-27-2018, 05:16 AM	#6
SAJ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 514	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Welcome back Bill. Keep that brain working, the words will return as the brain heals and the memory recovers. You and Buster T were missed SAJ in NZ

11-27-2018, 10:02 AM	#7
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 611	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Good Morning Bill...Great to see you on the site...Feel better every day. Ernie in Arizona

11-27-2018, 10:05 AM	#8
California Travieso Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Moreno Valley, CA Posts: 945	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Bill, glad to see you back and in you usual form. David Serrano

11-27-2018, 11:07 AM	#9
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? You've been missed, Bill. Keep crankin! __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-27-2018, 03:42 PM	#10
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Bill, good to see you didn't procrastinate your return. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

11-27-2018, 05:51 PM	#11
doug.nichols Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Olga, WA Posts: 184	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Thanks 160B. The visual is very helpful. Doug

11-27-2018, 10:43 PM	#12
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Cast Iron or Steel Drums? Randy Gross's cast iron drums are good. cost and quality wise his have done well. Unless a customer brings me drums I generally use his and have done many brake jobs. Randy's a great guy to work with and I recommend his drums, and if you need I'm sure his other services are top notch. Larry Shepard