Help me build this WWII museum display

[BlackdogGS]

My father-in-law bought a surplus DUKW (Duck landing craft) right after the war. (He was an Army Warrant Officer in Panama). He cut it up/parted it out but kept the prop. He died years ago and I kept the prop in various locations in my landscape. My wife and I are veterans and she volunteers at the local military museum so I decided to donate it to them. First I need to mount it on a waist high tripod stand. This thing is heavy, probably around 60 pounds so it needs to be robust. I could easily build something in a day but as I overthink just about everything I decided I wanted to make it so the prop spins freely. This is what I’m starting with.

 

[BlackdogGS]

My FIL used a cutting touch to remove the prop. First thing to do was weld an 1 3/8“ shaft extension to it.

 

[BlackdogGS]

I’m thinking about mounting it to a 5/16 steel plate using 2 pillow blocks. It you have any better ideas let me know.

 

[Monza Harry]

I think you are on the right track, 1/4" would likely be sufficient, even thinner if you add a flange to say 3/16" material. I will add a link that may help with "packaging" same quality as the pillows are available, most are the same bearing just a different mount, both available in self aligning. A small 12V motor and a solar cell and it could be turning anytime the lights are on. Add a plaque with all participants names, [you wife and "Dad" with thanks to yourselves and the other "Vets" for their service and sacrifice. Just some thoughts Harry

https://www.princessauto.com/4-bolt-standard-duty-flange-mount-bearing-assemblies/product/PA1000001321

 

[bb29510]

table top look good too

 

[driftpin]

I'm for the slowly rotating prop.

One of my fire-rescue co-workers is memorialized on a museum plaque in Miami FL. His father lived in Haiti during the time of 'Papa Doc' Duvalier and his son. He ran a drag line to dredge Port au-Prince Harbor which allowed much larger vessels into port, making 'Papa Doc' even richer.

The father paid the residents for tips on where remains of vessels had been found, and he salvaged many artifacts. One of those was a large dia. muzzle-loading cannon, which he sold to the Miami museum. Since his son was one of the salvage divers, he got his name on the plaque. I've seen the cannon and it's bigger than I am.

Be sure that your contribution is accorded an attribute to your father.

 

[545_days]

Keep in mind that since it will be in a museum there will be kids, and kids will occasionally do stupid stuff. Therefore you are stuck making the display idiot proof.

Allowing it to freewheel potentially allows kids to see how fast they can spin it which eventually results in a broken finger. Rotating it slowly allows for someone's clothing to get snagged and entangled, so make sure the motor isn't so powerful that it cannot be stored by hand pressure.

I think rotating slowly would be cool.

 

[BlackdogGS]

I’ll be mounting the shaft on a plate similar to this one using some pillow blocks like these from Amazon.

 

[BlackdogGS]

Just got the bearings and found it’s going to take a bit of machining to insert the shaft.

 

[William Payne]

Who ever stamped the date codes had a good swing technique. That is a nice deep stamp.

 

[BlackdogGS]

It’s coming along nicely. I’ll probably use this mounting plate but with different legs as I need to make it tip-over proof. It spins great.

 

[Monza Harry]

Who ever stamped the date codes had a good swing technique. That is a nice deep stamp.

Will, there have been machines [manual, semi auto or, maybe even auto] that will do that in a factory like that would have been made at, the numbers expected I would think they had a set-up to expedite that. That was WWII after all. Even as simple as a holder for the "product" and the stamps, with a "BFH"! Maybe a stamp wheel with a lever. And if that was your only job you would get good real fast and learn to use a stamp holder Because your fingertips will hurt, if you miss with a 4# sledge. DAHIK Harry

 

[William Payne]

Will, there have been machines [manual, semi auto or, maybe even auto] that will do that in a factory like that would have been made at, the numbers expected I would think they had a set-up to expedite that. That was WWII after all. Even as simple as a holder for the "product" and the stamps, with a "BFH"! Maybe a stamp wheel with a lever. And if that was your only job you would get good real fast and learn to use a stamp holder Because your fingertips will hurt, if you miss with a 4# sledge. DAHIK Harry

Yeah I figured it was probably done on a machine but I always appreciate a nicely done number/letter stamp. It is harder to do than it looks.

 

[nadogail]

Can you adapt a rear wheel hub from a front wheel drive car?