The Ford Barn

Synchro909 · 01-21-2015, 04:56 PM

This is a job I have never done before but I'm sure I can. Before I start, I want to run an idea by those here who are experienced enough in the job to comment.

I have a set of worn out steel drums that will be sacrificed to do the job

.
The first step involves cutting a hole in the drum to allow me to centre the shoes. I don't expect there is anything new so far but are there any tips?
Next, I machine a drum till it oversized enough that a strip of emery paper glued to the inside will have a diameter the same as the original drum. This will ensure that they are not tapered too. The paper is held on with ordinary contact glue. I'm thinking 120 grade paper - comments? Then, I fit the drum and adjust the shoes till they "drag" on the drum which I then turn with a screwdriver or tyre lever on the wheel studs. Repeat the process if necessary.
This will be time consuming but as a hobbyist, time is not so important. I think if this works, I would make the drums available to members in our club.

Synchro909 · 01-21-2015, 07:45 PM

C'mon! Where are all the Model A brainiacs???

pat in Santa Cruz · 01-21-2015, 09:13 PM

sounds like it would work, but you will need a different diameter sanding drum for different diameter drums intended for use.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-22-2015, 02:27 AM

You're overthinking some of this IMHO. The arcing of the shoes can be done just using the brake drum you plan to install. 80 grit would be better, and just stick it onto the machined surface. Other than that, proceed as you have planned.

Ford1931 · 01-22-2015, 11:21 AM

You can also arc them nicely with a good floor mounted disc, belt combination sander, just make sure the table is square and fit the shoes to the drums you plan on using. Easy to do and the shoes can be checked with a feeler gauge, just mark and sand a little where the shoe hits first. I did a set yesterday in about a half hour. I used a 60 grit belt which works well for wood and metal also. Don't overthink a simple job.

Synchro909 · 01-22-2015, 03:29 PM

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Good advice so far, thanks guys. Any more?

01-21-2015, 04:56 PM	#1
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,565	Brake shoe centering and arching This is a job I have never done before but I'm sure I can. Before I start, I want to run an idea by those here who are experienced enough in the job to comment. I have a set of worn out steel drums that will be sacrificed to do the job . The first step involves cutting a hole in the drum to allow me to centre the shoes. I don't expect there is anything new so far but are there any tips? Next, I machine a drum till it oversized enough that a strip of emery paper glued to the inside will have a diameter the same as the original drum. This will ensure that they are not tapered too. The paper is held on with ordinary contact glue. I'm thinking 120 grade paper - comments? Then, I fit the drum and adjust the shoes till they "drag" on the drum which I then turn with a screwdriver or tyre lever on the wheel studs. Repeat the process if necessary. This will be time consuming but as a hobbyist, time is not so important. I think if this works, I would make the drums available to members in our club. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

01-21-2015, 07:45 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,565	Re: Brake shoe centering and arching C'mon! Where are all the Model A brainiacs??? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

01-21-2015, 09:13 PM	#3
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Brake shoe centering and arching sounds like it would work, but you will need a different diameter sanding drum for different diameter drums intended for use.

01-22-2015, 02:27 AM	#4
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,578	Re: Brake shoe centering and arching You're overthinking some of this IMHO. The arcing of the shoes can be done just using the brake drum you plan to install. 80 grit would be better, and just stick it onto the machined surface. Other than that, proceed as you have planned. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

01-22-2015, 11:21 AM	#5
Ford1931 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 210	Re: Brake shoe centering and arching You can also arc them nicely with a good floor mounted disc, belt combination sander, just make sure the table is square and fit the shoes to the drums you plan on using. Easy to do and the shoes can be checked with a feeler gauge, just mark and sand a little where the shoe hits first. I did a set yesterday in about a half hour. I used a 60 grit belt which works well for wood and metal also. Don't overthink a simple job.

01-22-2015, 03:29 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,565	Re: Brake shoe centering and arching Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good advice so far, thanks guys. Any more? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.