How I Made Special Dual Temp Extended Nuts For My 34 Ford

[34FordFabricator]

I needed some extended nuts to retain my Dual temp gauge and oil chex gauge to the dash of my 1934 Ford. They used these special nuts from 1932 through 1934. Please see all my photos to see how I progressed. I started out the process by purchasing 5/16" hex bar in yellow brass from a online metal supplier. I faced the end of the bar in my lathe to make it look like professional job. Next I used a center drill to establish a center and drilled the end of the stock 1/2" deep with a number 21 drill bit. Then tapped 10-32 threads into the hex bar first with a starting tap and then followed up with a bottoming tap. I placed a light chamfer at the opening to aid in it threading in. The next process was to turn down the hex to a cylinder. I removed about 47 thousands to turn it round. To get the proper length I first used a indicator to calculate the right amount and then set a hard stop to make sure I stop at the right amount after each pass of the lathe. It was starting to look like a extended nut at this stage. It was then cut to length and the end faced for a perfect look. I did a slight bevel on the outer edge to make it look like a nut. Last photos show the finished product. As good as Ford could make it. Having a excellent lathe really helps as I can remove as little as 1/2 a thousand with perfect accuracy.
Bill Monzo

[19Fordy]

Excellent. Wish I still had a lathe. Here's some extensions for 8BA temp sending units The sensor was too long to fit inside the MCF heads. Drilling out some adapters solved the problem. PS: Drill bits over 3/8' with 1/4 in. shanks are "the worst".

[cas3]

nice, i have been going to do the same, just hasnt happened yet. i have one original to copy

[Terry,OH]

Bill: I have seen the nuts you have made on Dual gauges.

[cmbrucew]

Bill


Your lathe looks like new, but I didn't know they were still produced.

Atlas made them for Sears with the flat ways and Logan had the contract for a few years.
How long have you had it and where did you get it?
I know it is nosey of me, but I am curious.


Bruce

[34FordFabricator]

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Bruce, I don't mind answering any questions at all. This lathe was made in 1960. The previous owner hardly used it at all. So it is in mint condition with all of its original paint still on it. I have had it for 15 years and take very good care of it. It is very accurate as I stated in the post. Machinery here in Pennsylvania turn up in good condition quite regularly. As I have purchase many pieces for my at home machine shop. Yes this lathe was manufactured by Atlas for Craftsman. It has flat ways. If someone tells you that are not accurate don't believe it. I make bronze bushings with just a few thousands interference fit for water pumps and starter/generator end plates all the time and always hit the mark.
Bill

[Brian]

Shouldn't starter and generator [and water pump bushes] be made of sintered bronze? ie oilite bushes.
Not trying to be a wise guy, but how do your machined bronze bushes in those applications receive lube?