Sasgen Derrick Winch

[ndnchf]

I picked up this old Sasgen Derrick winch last week. Not sure what I'll do with it, but it was too cool to pass up

The brake handle is bent and the brake linings are all but gone. The gears and drum are heavily pinned to their shafts, so I'm not going attempt to separate them. I've removed the brake parts and pawl. I plan make a larger electrolysis tank to set the whole thing into.

I've looked online, the Sasgen company is still in business, but they don't make this derrick anymore. Any guesses to its age?

 

[2oolhound]

It's a neat old winch. I like that it can be powered by 2 guys, one on either side. It looks similar in size to my Beebe Bros 5 ton winch but older. I've had my Beebe since 1970 and it was old then. I'm no expert on dating old iron but I'd guess pre 1930's.

 

[ndnchf]

I got it broken down as far as possible. Bead blasted the removed parts. The winch is in the electrolysis tank. It will take a couple days to get derusted. I heated up the bent brake lever in the forge and straightened it out. Drilled out the rivets of the brake lining and got the brake band back close to round. Making progress!

 

[woody 73]

Very nice.

Anymore History about the sasgen Co ?

 

[ndnchf]

Very nice.

Anymore History about the sasgen Co ?

I haven't found much, but the company is still in business. They no longer make this winch, but they do have other winch products.

 

[ndnchf]

Making progress. 8 days in the electrolysis bath and a bit of wire wheel use and it cleaned up pretty good. It's in primer now. Next will be paint and then reline the brake band.

 

[2oolhound]

It looks a whole lot better now. Nice going!

 

[ndnchf]

I continue to make progress on the Sasgen Derrick winch. I drilled and countersunk rivet holes in the new brake lining, then riveted the new lining material to the brake band.

I suppose you can tell what color I decided to go with ;-)

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

You are making great progress and it is looking terrific! Would you tell us what you paid for it?


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[DD T/A]

Fantastic winch project. I always wanted one for my old flatbed truck for pulling cars onto. They're often frozen up when I see them.

 

[ndnchf]

I found it in an antique mall in North Carolina, paid about $70 for it. I was surprised that it still had both handles. It was not frozen and nothing was broken. While quite crusty it was in very good shape. I've thought about mounting it to the front of my old Willys jeep, but not sure yet. Allowing clearance for the handles to swing is the challenge.

 

[SweetD]

Really cool piece, and thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see it completed!

 

[ndnchf]

The Sasgen Derrick winch is finished. It was a lot of work, but I'm pleased with the results. It cranks smoothly and the new brake lining works great.

 

[Farmer J.]

Nice winch restoration, looks good, and thanks for posting the progress.
What cable or rope does it use?

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

It’s stuff like this that makes me really like GJ. You did a first-class job there.


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[ndnchf]

Thanks guys. I have 100' of 1/4" winch cable that I'll wind on after its installed on my jeep. Here is a mock up.

 

[readhead]

I have a neighbor that built a 1929 International gin pole truck and used two similar winches. Like your Jeep, he had clearance problems with the handles. He made extension rods for the handles so he could turn them out at the side of the bed. He got the idea from some vintage tow trucks. Great job on the restoration.

 

[ndnchf]

The handle swing is problematic on this type of application. My jeep is a Civil Defense, Air Raid Warden vehicle. This winch is not intended for offroad vehicle recovery, but for moving debris, tree branches or pulling Timmy from a well after Lassie notifies me So winch speed is not a concern. I plan to operate it using a long-handled ratchet. Similar to a come-along.

 

[Farmer J.]

The handle swing is problematic on this type of application. My jeep is a Civil Defense, Air Raid Warden vehicle. This winch is not intended for offroad vehicle recovery, but for moving debris, tree branches or pulling Timmy from a well after Lassie notifies me So winch speed is not a concern. I plan to operate it using a long-handled ratchet. Similar to a come-along.

That's clever. I never thought that winch would fit at all well on the front of your Jeep, but the mock up looks like it will be ok.
The pic of my Warn 8274 mounting on my Land Rover is in my avatar, and like you I use it for moving stuff like trees around, i have only once used it for self recovery of the vehicle (when i couldn't be bothered to break out the high lift jack)!
The winch sticks out a bit in front and I have to be aware it's there or could do a lot of damage in a tight parking space..
I switched to using Amsteel synthetic cable a few years ago, it's light weight.

 

[Stu]

Just joined! Looking for parts for a Sasgen Derrick winch k

 

[ndnchf]

Just joined! Looking for parts for a Sasgen Derrick winch k

Ebay is your best bet. That or fabricate what you need. They made many different models. You need to know which one you have.

 

[y'sguy]

I really like the way your winch turned out. I thought maybe you were going to keep it natural with some BLO, but I like what you did. Great job.

 

[ndnchf]

I really like the way your winch turned out. I thought maybe you were going to keep it natural with some BLO, but I like what you did. Great job.

Thanks. I initially thought of dark green. I believe that was the original color. But then I thought it would be nice to go blue to match my jeep. It's not an exact match. But close enough for government work

I finished and painted the mounts tonight. I should be able to finish the installation tomorrow night. Then wind 100' of cable on it.

 

[454ragtop]

Nice job. Did you consider mounting the winch so the cranks were on the top instead of on the side? Seems like it would give better clearance for the crank.

 

[ndnchf]

Nice job. Did you consider mounting the winch so the cranks were on the top instead of on the side? Seems like it would give better clearance for the crank.

No not really. With the crank on the top, it would still would still hit the grill. I plan to use a large ratchet to operate it. I figure it will have an arc swing of about 200 degrees, which should work pretty well.

 

[Squashfest81]

That’s a great resto. Nicely done.
Tell the truth, your gonna run that with a cordless impact gun anyway?

 

[ndnchf]

That’s a great resto. Nicely done.
Tell the truth, your gonna run that with a cordless impact gun anyway?

For show n tell it will be with the big ratchet. Real world work - yeah, the cordless is the way to go

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've already told you I love your jeep. As you know, I kept mine free of Army unit markings and such because I think they're garish, and so I could play it off like a forestry jeep when I wanted to.

How are you going to mount the winch on the bumper frame?

I like the long ratchet idea. It looks cool. But you need a period-correct 40's matching ratchet for show 'n tell!

Nice tow rope! The splices look properly whipped!

 

[ndnchf]

I've already told you I love your jeep. As you know, I kept mine free of Army unit markings and such because I think they're garish, and so I could play it off like a forestry jeep when I wanted to.

How are you going to mount the winch on the bumper frame?

I like the long ratchet idea. It looks cool. But you need a period-correct 40's matching ratchet for show 'n tell!

Nice tow rope! The splices look properly whipped!

As a matter of fact, I've been scanning Ebay for a long-handled (18" - 24") vintage 1/2" or 3/4" drive ratchet. But they are very hard to find that long. I did see a pretty cool looking 1940s era 18" Snap On, but the seller vaguely indicated that the mechanism needs work But I'll keep my eyes open. In the mean time I'll use what I have.

The mount is done, just waiting for the paint to dry. I'll post photos tonight.

As for the rope, well you should know

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I might could help with the ratchet. I'm TDY. I'll get back to you soon though.

 

[ndnchf]

I might could help with the ratchet. I'm TDY. I'll get back to you soon though.

Thanks, appreciate it. This is the one I was looking at. The vintage style would fit the winch nicely. But a question to the seller about how the mechanism functioned elicited a vague response that was not reassuring.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Sn...het-w-Removable-Reversable-Drive/303227385011

 

[DD T/A]

I think you did a terrible job and need to send it to me IMMEDIATELY so I can "redo" it.

















Fantastic work

 

[ndnchf]

I think you did a terrible job and need to send it to me IMMEDIATELY so I can "redo" it.

Fantastic work

Not worth the postage, I'll just leave it out for the scrap man

 

[ndnchf]

Ok, as promised here is the mounting. The jeep's front frame rails were already heavily modified by a previous owner. It has additional supports running front to back and the frame horns have extra channel on them. I added a 3/8" x 2" x 30" piece of bar stock across the frame at the rear of the winch and a piece of heavy angle iron on the front of the bumper. The winch is secured with five 1/2" grade 8 bolts. Tomorrow or this weekend I'll get a friend to help me wind on 100' of new cable.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That looks terrific. I see so many guys who just slap a plate on there, but your solution was well thought-out and minimally invasive.

I WILL get back to you thins weekend on the ratchet handle. I have a couple of different ideas.

 

[ndnchf]

That looks terrific. I see so many guys who just slap a plate on there, but your solution was well thought-out and minimally invasive.

I WILL get back to you thins weekend on the ratchet handle. I have a couple of different ideas.

While I don't expect to put this winch to serious use, I wanted to give it a proper and secure installation. No telling what I or a future owner might do with it. You may not have noticed that the bull gear actually slips in between the grill slots about an inch. This was pure luck as the center rear mountung bolt hole on the winch is aligned with an existing hole in the fore/after brace. I re-used that hole and it just happened to allow the bull gear to slip into the grill. The allowed me to move the winch a little further back and reduced front overhang to about 3".

Its all bolted on now, the only thing left is to wind on the cable. Then I'll make a canvas cover for it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You may not have noticed that the bull gear actually slips in between the grill slots about an inch...

I couldn't tell from the angle. That's perfect.

 

[ndnchf]

The cable is wound on and it works great. I think this project is marked DONE

 

[ndnchf]

You are probably tired of seeing my posts on the winch , but I wanted to follow up and show the cover I just made for it. I really don't know how to sew, but I know how to work an old sewing machine. In this case I used a 1916 Singer cobbler's machine that I rebuilt years ago.

I started with a 4' x 4' OD green canvas tarp. Made pattern pieces from cardboard and paper. Then traced out the pieces. Cut them out and sewed them together. Then installed grommets at the bottom. It's not very **** looking, but it will provide some protection from the elements.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You are probably tired of seeing my posts on the winch.

Not me. Nice work, ndnchf! There's a guy on G503.com doing some detailed canvas upholstery reproductions. Jeep seats and tops and the like, but he has also tried his hand at some of the harder-to-find pieces, like windshield and headlamp covers. I'm wondering if he has ever done a winch cover. You guys should trade notes. He's been coveting my wartime fastener kit. I think you may have missed that thread. Linked here.

I also missed the siren earlier in this thread and only noticed it now that you had to relocate it. Nice touch.

Back to your ratchet crank set-up. I like it. The chrome is growing on me. Matches some of the non-painted steel brightwork on the winch. I see what you're doing there with the deep socket, but what is the piece between the deep socket and the ratchet? An adaptor? Also, what is the size of the crank stud?