the showman

Looking in skips as i do, I found some sheets of tin I thought would come in handy and they were free. 

Now Bill and Ben have their front axles fitted with spindles and track-rods.
Steering feels nice and positive so I’m pleased with that.

Early update as I’m going out tonight, I managed to get the other 2 track-rods done this afternoon so another tick of the list.

Today I’ve been looking at track-rods, all the ones i have seem to have play in them and as ive got a few ends in stock I thought I’d make some new ones without buying anything.
Started with a length of rod cut into 4 lengths and machined down in the lathe and threads cut.
Done two to see if they work which they do so I’ll make another pair tomorrow.

Bill and Ben get their hoodstands cleaned up and a coat of primer today.



Had a look at the side panels and they look a bit rotten along the bottom and ive only got one pair so I’m gonna need some sheet tin to make a new pair.

I do the same, cut down a raider frame the same as you. Interesting to see the fenders if you make them. 

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. 

After a busy year i'm finally getting round to posting some photos, nearly a year later!
so heres some photos.
 

 
Steering gear after a cleanup, I like the fact you can see red paint under the yellow. This is because a MF7E is a rebranded and repainted moto mower which were red.
 

 
Steering column, needed a good cleanup but been well greased so no wear.
 

 
Looking better after a bit of a clean.
 

 
 
 
Will try post some more photos later, having difficulty uploading 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 .

Brakes all  fitted and working so a bit more done.

I’ve got some brake linings from a Morris marina ( i think ) that i will bond to the band.



All bonded up with high power adhesive so will fit them all tomorrow.

Had a look at the brakes today or lack of them now I’ve got some skip metal.

First job to  cut 2 strips, had to use the jig saw then drill to holes and bolt it on.


Then bend  it  round the pulley and weld the piece of angle on.

looking at the rear wheels, I think there Knackered as they’ve rusted through the bolt holes and I don’t have anymore although I have some narrow 12 inch wheels that would fit on the tranny with hubs.
That raises another problem with the rear fender that i found when i offered it all up. Uuummmm.

Looking in skips as i do, I found some sheets of tin I thought would come in handy and they were free. 

Now Bill and Ben have their front axles fitted with spindles and track-rods.
Steering feels nice and positive so I’m pleased with that.

Early update as I’m going out tonight, I managed to get the other 2 track-rods done this afternoon so another tick of the list.

Today I’ve been looking at track-rods, all the ones i have seem to have play in them and as ive got a few ends in stock I thought I’d make some new ones without buying anything.
Started with a length of rod cut into 4 lengths and machined down in the lathe and threads cut.
Done two to see if they work which they do so I’ll make another pair tomorrow.

Small update as it’s a day of rest.
Ive sanded off the steering parts and given them a primer fitted together and fitted them in the chassis’s.
Ive noticed the Lawn Ranger  doesn’t have the bush at the end of the lower rod and its not listed in the parts manual but as i have a few in stock I’ve fitted them. 

Not a lot done today but i did get them both on the lift so that will make it easier.
After the success with the bush Ive made another, the one on the left in the photo is the original plastic / nylon one.

Looking at the hood stand and noticed there’s a bush where the steering column go’s through made from plastic type stuff, i think it must of melted when I heated the wheel up.
Had a look and found a load of bushes and luckily had some with a 3/4” hole in just to fat to fit.
I’m not a machinist but thought I’d have a play, I found a bit of 3/4” bar and drilled a hole to hold the bush and clamped it  in  the lathe.
After a play i got what I wanted, maybe not the right way to do it but very pleased with the end result and only used one bush.
All fits with no play so might even do the other one. 

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. 

Looking good mate, coming on well
 

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. 

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

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.