Broken gear - Calling all machinists/ welders

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Martin:

That was quite a post, thank you. An amazing post actually. Talk about "the ring of truth". Wow. Not taking a thing away from the other great replies, for which I am also very grateful, thanks ALL. You just knocked my socks off, that's all. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Your post brings up a good question, too. I'm wondering how "standardized" a gear like this might be. As in seals, where one need not get one through the parts department of a particular equipment manufacturer, but can get the exact same make and p/n, or an x-ref'd one, from a variety of sources. Any thoughts anyone?

I'd consider taking one out of an identical Powers crane, but then THAT one would need another gear. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Thanks again, John D.

 

[RobS]

Joh, there is a decent chance that your gear is an off the shelf item, or was anyway. Smaller manufactuers, like your crane builder, normally can't afford to tool every part they use so they rely heavily on standard parts. Where to go? That's a good question. Try a search on "power transmission" or find someone who works on anything similar. There may be catalogs of standard gears.

Worst case, you have one made from scratch. No matter, you should be up and running again relatively painlessly /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Rob:

Thanks very much for the encouraging words. It will be interesting to see have this pans out. Lots of interesting avenues to pursue, and I'll probably have a lot to post about as I explore all the options. I promise to inform you all of the outcome. Won't be long now, I hope to do it on the 1st ... the first chance I get! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

John D.

 

[jgh]

20051128

As a non-engr/non-machinist, I am fascinated by the discussion here and have to add a couple of trivia points that strengthen the argument for thinking outside the box. They relate to spare parts for seemingly very specialized applications.

DidJaKnow:

That the bulb for the auxiliary work light (on the front and back of the cab outside!) for your average big New Holland tractor...also fits many dentist's work lights...that's inside. Really annoying: NH dealers get over $11 for it, AutoZone and Tractor Supply get less than $5, and at least one of those was name brand--Osram/Sylvania.

That the oil filter for a 1936 Ford also fits...a 1975 (and after) 5 cyl MERCEDES diesel engine, in a 300D? And is so messy to handle, I only changed my own oil once!

Go figure...and don't give up on that gear turning up on a more common, perhaps newer piece of equipment.

Good luck,

J

 

[MikeD74T]

Have you tried asking on www.hcea.net (Historical Construction Equipment Association) ? There are lots of resourses there.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

James:

Interesting trivia, thanks for sharing. On that light bulb, I betcha: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Tractor Supply get less than $5 ....... )</font> ... and dentists pay $45! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif There must be a good reason they get about $5,000 per tooth!

Hey, I read your bio, and you're way too modest with that "nothing interesting" comment - sounds like a lot of interesting stuff to me! And I love your list of toys - can Johnny come over to play? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

All this 'thinking outside the box", and trying to get a handle on who makes what, who supplies who, who charges how much for what, is also very interesting. It reminds me of how I came to realize over time that I didn't necessarily have to buy part X from the dealer or manufacturer. A close inspection of the materials and manufacturing process involved in a given part can often quickly make one come to realize that it's something that can be easily fabricated on one's own, often for a lot less $$$$ and trouble. Of course, I still purchase light bulbs. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks for the observations, John D.

 

[jgh]

20051128

Hey, Johnny,

My long-equipment-suffering spouse sez you can come play as long as you pay...for what she hopes you just cannot resist taking home /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

And reading your bio shows just how diverse the backgrounds of TBN members are (and how many of them have changed careers--both of us from business degree backgrounds now doing very different stuff).

I'd say love of the outdoors unites TBN members all more than any other one factor /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Or is it the toys /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif?

Somehow this thread has shown off the brainpower (combined with irreplaceable experience) of this list more than almost any other I have seen, as well as the simple helpfulness of everyone /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif!

Where in VA are you from?

J

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Mike: Thanks for the link, and get this - it's under construction right now! How fitting is that! I guess they couldn't resist playing with all their toys. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'll keep checking back there, sounds like an interesting place.

And Matthew: I'll send you a PM when I get a chance, since I have a feeling I'd get a bit wordy for this thread - short answer, born in Portsmouth, lived there 2 weeks, then back to Fairfax from '61 to '64. And I'm going to bring lots of cash when I come to see you. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[MikeD74T]

You also might try http://www.antiquecaterpillar.org/. A lot of the same people frequent this site and have a wealth of knowledge and parts sources.

 

[philshel]

Been away for a few days and am just now catching up. AntrimMan, your suggestion is of course a little bit superior as far as wear goes. However, from a cost perspective I would not suggest something with multiple treating and machining processes. Perhaps I made an erroneous assumption that he was attempting to save some green. For a machine of casual use and a limited life expectancy, 4140 is tough, easy to machine, and dirt-cheap. Fact, at one of my previous jobs, I made connectors out of it for the Navy, they were “explosion proof,” and expected to be manipulated with little or no wear for a minimum of 5 years in a very harsh environment. Now in all fairness, we purchased the material already hardened and annealed back to approximately 40 Rc, the parts were then treated/frozen again so the cost was back up there, but they held up very well. In fact, there are many fine ways to produce this part, but as I work for the County, I’m somewhat cheap. I’m cheap enough in fact that I would go for the “weld it” except that it goes against my training. I was taught that if it needs to be welded, “its broke make a new one” /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif that and the issue of dissimilar materials mating under pressure just makes me nervous. Tree Guy you made some reference to how standard the part might be, like everyone else stated it may (or have been) be an off the shelf item, I can’t say. What I was referring to was the actual tooth profile; I would be very surprised if it was not common. Assuming it is a standard profile most good shops will have the cutter in their inventory. If you decide to go this rout look for an older ”job” type shop, one that is known for repairing large equipment. The longer a shop has been around, the more likely they will have a large collection of tooling and someone around who can use it.

Phil