Machine shop part

armyof1 · Apr 19, 2004

Has any one ever got a part made at a machine shop like gears, axle and etc. Just trying to find out if something breaks on the old grey what the cost would be to make the part. High I bet, but can't see a tractor setting to long looking for a part that could be made. but if it cost more than the tractor worth than maybe. any input thanks Sam /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RoyJackson · Apr 19, 2004

If it's any kind of gear, it'll be costly.
An axle may not be too bad since it's basically a turning operation.

However, any kind of one-off item still requires set up charges.
I'd figure $30 to $45 per hour on the average at a "Ma and Pa" shop.

And that doesn't count any post machining operations like heat treat or stress relieving. Plus, most will want a drawing or sketch to work to. If you've got the original part, they can work to that...it'll cost you though.

5030 · Apr 19, 2004

It's really nice to have your own machine tools like I do. However, you can have the tools but if you lack the knowledge to use them you are better off having parts made.

I like to amaze my farmer friends by custom machining. They pay me too. It always amazes me how it breaks in the field and I get a late call and they need it "right away". No problem. For me, it is fun.

uhmgawa · Apr 19, 2004

( If it's any kind of gear, it'll be costly.)

Cutting a part such as a metric helical bevel gear
isn't going to be cheap. But at least it is [likely] to be of
standardized geometry w/r/t pitch, pressure angle, etc..

I'd worry more about needing to fabricate unique components
of the HST. Such as precision ground pump/motor pistons or
housing.

armyof1 · Apr 19, 2004

Yes I not sure of the whole idel of owning a grey tractor all together but with tractorbynet we can all share information to help one another and learn for are mistakes like some USA parts for other tractor will work but finding them is the hard part. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

5030 · Apr 20, 2004

Umhgawa:

Keep a mental note:

If you are ever in need of any helical, involute or any specialty gearing, consult a gear hobber like Boston Gear. They stock literally thousands of specialty sizes or toothed blanks. With a toothed blank, hub machining would be necessary but much less costly than the actual tooth generation.

I get all my ball, roller and spherical and specialty bearings from Detroit Ball Bearing. They are a stocking SKF distributor. SKF has bearings for about every application from nuclear to farm tractors.

uhmgawa · Apr 20, 2004

( If you are ever in need of any helical, involute or any specialty gearing, consult a gear hobber like Boston Gear. They stock literally thousands of specialty sizes or toothed blanks. With a toothed blank, hub machining would be necessary but much less costly than the actual tooth generation.)

I try to find something off the shelf if faced with fabricating anything
more complex than a spur gear. Then again issues such as case hardening
the teeth with minimal distortion even here can make this more work than
it is worth. Though I sure would like to find a functional gear hobber to
add to the tool collection.

My real concern was finding an oddball pressure angle or diametral
pitch where the manufacturer decided to "innovate".

em14 · Apr 20, 2004

5030,
Many years ago I would not be found with out the little Boston Gear Ref book! As a matter of fact, I still have it ... do you know if they have continued with it or not? And like you say, they had every gear I ever needed then!
Leo

AndyMA · Apr 20, 2004

Daryl

I admire you're drive. I guess I've gotten too old. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Even thought I have a shop that has produced all kind of parts including jet engine parts for P & W, I would probably never just pick up a chunk of steel and make myself a gear. That's why I only buy machines with spare parts availability. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif That said I actually do make some parts in my fab shop, but usually for a prototype.

Andy

5030 · Apr 21, 2004

em14:

Boston Gear www.bostongear.com has all their nomenclature in pdf form now. Detroit Ball has been acquired by Applied Technologies though you can access their website at: www.detroitball.com I usually refer to the SKF catalog which I keep in the shop. Applied also stocks Vickers Drives.

5030 · Apr 21, 2004

uhmgawa:

I don't think a gear hobber would fit in you basement or garage for that matter. Somehow, the reality of having 408-440 3 phase power in a residential enviroment would probably blow you and your utility provider away. Around here, just the cost of setting a pole and the cans is over 10K. That doesn't include the drop and the inside panel work. I'd not be fond of wiring a machine with that kind of power myself. My wife and I have a good friend with a 9 million dollar shop in a Detroit suburb that allows me access to his machine tools in the event that I need something large machined. He even has a 100 ton vertical broach.

uhmgawa · Apr 21, 2004

( I don't think a gear hobber would fit in you basement or garage for that matter.)

I wouldn't be interested is something quite so large nor associated
utility over-dramatics. I've seen smaller hobbers which had a footprint
not much more than my v/h mill.

( Around here, just the cost of setting a pole and the cans is over 10K.)

Around here the utility poles, transformer, service lateral, and meter
box are gratis. At least when I built such was the case.

em14 · Apr 21, 2004

5030,
Thanks for the information!
Leo

Soundguy · Apr 21, 2004

( Around here the utility poles, transformer, service lateral, and meter
box are gratis. At least when I built such was the case.
)

When we built here in fl 4 years ago.. the builder asked us specifically that question.. If we needed 3ph power. It would have only been about 3-400 over the 1000 we paid for the residential hookup.. ( for one outlet service anyway.. anything more was up to the electrician wireing the house.. ).

Guess some places gouge your eyes out. Where we moved from, cable wasn't on our street.. and the cable company wanted 1$/linear foot to lay it... I told them I'd pass..

Soundguy

uhmgawa · Apr 21, 2004

When we built here in fl 4 years ago.. the builder asked us specifically that question.. If we needed 3ph power. It would have only been about 3-400 over the 1000 we paid for the residential hookup.. ( for one outlet service anyway.. anything more was up to the electrician wireing the house.. ).
)

I'm unsure if I would have gone for the 3PH even if I had the option.
About the only time I had to deal with the issue was on one of my mills.
That motor was only 2HP and was just easier to swap.

Taylortractornut · Apr 21, 2004

I love 3 phase in m shop. The road I live on was to old main road and had a 3 phase line beside the house. It runs my 15 horse power lathe and 2 3 phase welders. The 3 phse welders are nice to have ccause of their duty cycle and they are super cheap when you find one used. I also like the 20 dollar a month power bill i nthe shop, when i dont use it though I get a 40 dollar power bill. One thing I have found that Im trying to purchase is a 3 phase ac unit off a cnc tool room I used to part time in it works good they just up graded lol Now Ill go from partially sorry to full blown sorry.

5030 · Apr 21, 2004

I use a rotary convertor for my T-3 leg. I have to use a true sine wave convertor as my surface grinder has a frequency controlled motor.

If I had it to do over again I would have paid edison to set the pole and cans. I run 200 amps to the shop and my electric bill averages about $200.00 per month.

I have a standby genset but the shop is wired outside the genset's circuits.

I don't think I'd ever swap out a 3 phase motor for a single phase, although on a lathe that would be pretty simple.

Junkman · Apr 21, 2004

Last year I needed a gear for special application reproduced and found a local company that makes nothing but gears. They took the old gear and made a new copy for me in a couple of days. Told me that making a one of a kind gear wasn't a problem for them as long as they weren't under pressure to have it done yesterday. In the Worcester MA area, there are two gear manufacturers that I can think of right away, and probably more if I went looking.

armyof1 · Apr 21, 2004

Junkman,
What is the cost on something like this?

Junkman · Apr 22, 2004

costs vary by size and materials. I had 50 gears reproduced and my final cost was about $15 a gear for brass gears. I had a single gear made and that one cost about $125 for a steel gear. Both were totally different and the is no way to put a price on a part until they see the gear and measure it. Sometimes they have to start from scratch, and other times they can make it from stock material. Not to sound offensive, but your question is like asking how much a tractor cost. Depends on size. In both instances, neither were available any longer.
I have a box of 4 speed gears for Chevrolet's of the 1960's and some of them are worth less today than they were back then. Others are difficult to get and are worth 10 times their old book price. Some would cost a Kings Ransom to have reproduced today, because of the complexities, but still have no value because there is no demand. It might be a $3.00 gear that stops a $100,000 Corvette, but is no longer available. To that owner, $100 would be considered cheap and it wouldn't be rare to find people asking $500 for a part that sold originally for $3.00. Price is only relative to the value of the item it is going into.