Making parts

[My Old Tools]

I make a few parts for obsolete machines. I love an excuse to use my South Bend 13. I make these replacement arbors for old Millers Falls hand boring machines. I make them in two parts with an interference press fit. I also make the square key for locking in the bit. After 100+ years of use with steel on cast iron, the old shafts usually show a good deal of wear.

 

[RoninB4]

I make a few parts for obsolete machines.

-Retired toolmaker here likes that somebody still makes parts for "obsolete machinery". What else does the shop have besides the SB-13?

 

[MushCreek]

I had to make a new spindle and bearing cap for my old Park planer. Didn't realize how bad it was until I lifted up on the shaft and could see it move about 1/32 of an inch. The old bearing had seized and ruined the shaft. The bearing cap had an ear broken off so it was only held by one bolt.

An even older project was making a stretcher rod for an early (1860's) park bench. The old thread measured .513 diameter and 13 threads per inch. I wanted to use the original nuts so I custom threaded the oversized rod.