the showman

I’ve been sorting out front wheels for Bill and Ben.

I wanted to change the little 4 inch to narrow 8 inch, the original front spindles are too short so i fitted C series and they are too long

The bearings in the 8 inch wheels are one piece with an 1 inch ID and the Wheelhorse flange bearings are a direct fit .

Next job was to cut down the spindles and drill the centre hole deeper and cut a 3/8” thread.

All the wheels are now at the sand blasters.

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21 hours ago, Ian said:

You have been busy Chris, some really creative work going on with all the panel fabrication, even making your own brake bands! 

Making your own parts gives great job satifaction, knowing you have make them with your own hands gives a certain amount of pride as well

11 hours ago, nigel said:

Your a clever bugger mr showman 

Thanks for your nice comments lads

Good progress Ian, looking good. 

9 hours ago, Cub Cadet said:

Great work Chris, interesting seeing all this as i'm on with making a 654 in amongst other things! 

Thanks Ewan, I’m trying to build them on a shoestring using what ive got in stock, some of the parts don’t quite fit so I change them a bit.

I’m hoping they will end up something like a 502 or similar. 

10 hours ago, Stormin said:

 "Boing!", said Zebadee.  Looking good. Nice job on drilling the square holes.

Thanks Norm, made my arms ache. 

I had a friend bend me a couple  of seat springs  pity he didn’t drill the square holes.  so most of my time was spent drilling and filing.

I’m going to load some photos back to front to see if they load in the right order.

The red spring is the original off my Suburban used as a pattern. 

Another Boo-Boo i found that I welded the belt guard tag in the wrong place so i had to cut it off and make another, 

Its done it again so the first photo is the after and the second photo is the before.

Bill and Ben get some stick, gearstick that is.

I did have two but can’t find one only a load of others all the wrong shape  so out with the heat and re-bend one.

Now they are happy, both have a stick.

The one on the left is the original.

Why do my photos load in the wrong order ? 

Got the new panels all fitted and bolted up tight today and the lift mechanism fitted. One cover I haven’t cleaned as it had a Mountfield ID plate on it from new and still has the shade of red i need to match.

I’m pleased with the look and the belt  guard fits as well.

3 minutes ago, Stormin said:

Looking good, Chris.

 

Are you going to trial fit everything, then disassemble and finish paint?

That's my idea, won't to make sure ive got all the parts and parts ive remade all fit, once its finished its easy to pull apart and paint it all.

Not much progress this week as I’ve been busy with other stuff but here’s the latest.

Ive made the belt guard clips and welded them on, Ive made 2 supports for the deck lift thingy and cleaned a few more bits up.

Hopefully all the panels are finished and i can get them  fitted on both tractors.

That looks better, 

Where’s the photos, you know I can’t read. 

What voltage is the multi meter reading on the battery with it running ?

Here’s the photos of progress so far,

One tool tray needs welding and the slot for the seat spring but it’s all bent ready, the other thing I noticed the side panels need little tags welded on to secure the belt guard ( bugger ) lucky I hadn’t primered them. I’ve cut the old ones off  the old panel.  A job for tomorrow if  I get time.

Had a good day with the brake press, all four side panels made and drilled, one tool tray and half the second one made.

All just need cleaning up with the grinder and a coat of primer.

Will do photos and update tomorrow.

Looks a nice little job Norm won't take long. 

I did a bit yesterday so I’ve put it with this update.

Ive drilled and fitted the first side plate and quite pleased with how it fits so today I’ve made another and marked out the other two ready to cut I’ve also cut the tool tray ready to be bent and welded.

Three builders repairing a roof after Santa damaged it and the Imagrants are trying to cross the channel again.

Many happy returns Darren, hope you have a great day matey. 

18 hours ago, Triumph66 said:

I do enjoy reading your posts Chris and especially seeing how you work out what you need to do at each stage. The template is a case in point. There's a lot to be said for the old school mechanic in these days of parts fitters.

Thanks for your kind words Andrew and encouragement. 

Now I’ve got some skip tin I started making the side panels. I’ve made cardboard templates for the tool tray and the near side panel which is shorter than the original.

I marked the tin and cut it with a jigsaw as snips weren’t strong enough, easy to bend with the brake press in the vice.

One made just gotta drill some holes.

3 hours ago, Triumph66 said:

Personally I think the Suburban fenders you have offered up,  will look a lot better with the Round Hood. Do you still have the cast iron seats to go with it?

They don’t have cast iron seats Andrew, they have pressed steel and I’ve got the odd one or six .

I have found a pair and will use them.

While i was having a cuppa and a mince pie i came up with another idea, I borrowed the rear fender kit off my Suburban to  see how it looks.

Now i only have one original fender so do i make 4 8inch wheels, or 2 tool trays and 4 fenders. How hard can that be .

Managed to get some shed time today while Pam was at  the stove.

Ive offered up the side panels and  fitted the rear hubs and wheels, I wanted to fit the 12 inch wheels instead of the 8 inch as they had rotted away but in  doing so I’ve got to lift the rear fender over 3 inches to get clearance and it looks out of place.