Attaching plate help

[polexican23]

Hey fab guys, I have limited access to lathes and the like.Could any of you in your infinite wisdom figure out a get by on making this piece. It is 1 1/2 inches long, and 1 1/4 inches at it widest point if not measured with the curve.

It attaches my snowblower chute to the machine. The model has been discontinued and no parts are available.

The machine

and the Clip.

 

[MP&C]

Looks like your machine is too deep in the snow, I can't see it..

 

[readhead]

Are you making it out of ice so it won't stick?

 

[NASTYZEN]

White out!

 

[Zeke]

Snow will go through something that small?

 

[polexican23]

This pic was taken before the 20 inches we got. 2 of the 3 clips came off while clearing the first 10 inches.

and Zeke, maybe you can think of a better solution.

 

[Zeke]

This pic was taken before the 20 inches we got. 2 of the 3 clips came off while clearing the first 10 inches.

and Zeke, maybe you can think of a better solution.

I'll try, but it's still so small I can't see it. I thought I saw it but that turned out to be a fly spec on my screen.

 

[outdoorsman310]

I can't see any pictures of it. you could try duct tape temporarily

 

[welder4956]

 

[vhol5]

This pic was taken before the 20 inches we got. 2 of the 3 clips came off while clearing the first 10 inches.

and Zeke, maybe you can think of a better solution.

WHAT PIC?

 

[gearhead1]

I'd be happy to help, but can't see the pic, can you repost it or send it?

 

[BD1]

I hope you get a pic soon. We got more snow coming tonight .:

 

[polexican23]

I dont understand why no one can see the pics. I see them fine on my comp and posts under both google chrome and IE.

And yes didnt get it taken care of before the next 10 inches fell. Oh my aching back!!!

 

[69supercj]

I see three pics, are there more?

 

[Topstrap1]

Should be able to make it with a vise, hammer and a grinder. Flat piece of scrap steel put in vice and bent over with hammer to form basic shape. If you have access to a torch it'd make it even easier to make the bends in the vise. Grind to fit curves and shape to fit correctly. Dril hole and file out to edge to form slot. May not be show quality but a bit of time even with basic tools not that hard to do with a bit of patience.

Might also be able to cut out a complete circle to slide down over the chute and make or purchase little clips to hold the ring down in the existing holes. The clips like what is used to hold a door screen in might be just the right size. Looks like a way to improve on their design would be better than just replacing the way they did it.

Good luck

Topstrap

 

[polexican23]

I corrected the original 3. I first posted them through GJ, the ones that work now are set up through photobucket.

The chute attachment or lack of attachment is a bad design all the way around. The chute itself rests on a ring lip o.d is 6inchs, the little clip sandwhiches the lip to the chute while also letting it rotate when trying to direct the snow.

Duct tape (mexican chrome) would hold the chute on but wouldnt allow me to direct the snow other than the one direction I set it in while taping together.

 

[MP&C]

Find some steel the same thickness at your local hardware store, cut out the shape in the flat, and make the bends in a vise...

 

[SunnyBeach]

I am assuming that there are two of those clips and one broke? Do you have the old one that could be welded back together?

 

[polexican23]

3 clips actually. and no, only had one that was still just barely hanging on. Again the design was garbage. I wouldnt have put a slot in it, just a hole for a bolt to start. Second instead of using a lock nut they used some kind of weird spacing nut. Weird thing is, these machines vibrate. So the nuts backed off (gawd knows when) and are lost in the snow drifts for now.

I am thinking about trying to get a 5inch i.d ring of similar thickness, cut it in half. Add two more bolts and have two full halfs able to swivel around.

 

[polexican23]

Think i went a little over board on the thickness of this part. 1/4 stainless steel ring.

 

[MP&C]

Think i went a little over board on the thickness of this part. 1/4 stainless steel ring.

As long as the studs are still long enough, I would think the extra mass of the ring may tone down the vibration effects a bit. But definitely use lock nuts, that ring would sure make some noise if the snowblower picks it up on the return pass..

 

[polexican23]

Over under on number of drill bits I go through is 5. Any takers.

 

[kbs2244]

Do you have a pert number?
Very often they use the same part from model to model.
So, even if you model is out of date, the same part number can be ordered under a different model number.
Do a search under part number alone first.
You will get some off the wall stuff but often you will get what you want also.

 

[big.jim]

looks pretty much what i was thinking full ring but with long bolts and use lock nuts to keep tight but allowing rotation

 

[polexican23]

I searched the part number and also Snowjoe has gotten out of the big snowblower game. Looks like they are going all electric sweeper types.

Yeah Jim, I though this might be a sound way to go. I am also thinking about also making a ring of mud flap matterail to go between the new ring and lip so as not to have metal on metal.

I looked at a few machines at the big box stores and all most all of them are made similar but now they just have there rotating assembly also applying downward force to keep the chute on the lip.