2015 POTD Thread Archive

Franko said:
Before I had machine tools, other than files and a drill press, I would go to hardware stores to look parts I could modify for some other need.

Me: I need a fuel pump.
Clerk: What make and model car is it?
Me: It doesn't matter.
Clerk: I have to know what kind of car before I can find a pump.
Me: It isn't for a car. I'm miking a parts washer.
Clerk: blank stare.
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I had similar experience earlier this year. Go into Napa for spark plug and wire for Morse fairbanks model z style d 2 hp engine. I even gave the parts counter lad the number off the plug. He said I need to bring in the plug. He did not believe it was only couple digits long part number. Sure not like the older days with books to cross reference the numbers. If it ain't in the computer they say that they don't have it. He was trying to sell me on hi tension spark plug wire. I told him that I need copper core. Gotta love magneto power.

Same goes for parts for my cub cadet 122. No books to order correct parts. Not even for a simple air cleaner.

I still plan on restoration on the fairbanks and international harvester lb 1.5 to 2.5 hp engines. Will have to get parts off ebay.

Jack
 
atlas ten said:
I had similar experience earlier this year. Go into Napa for spark plug and wire for Morse fairbanks model z style d 2 hp engine. I even gave the parts counter lad the number off the plug. He said I need to bring in the plug. He did not believe it was only couple digits long part number. Sure not like the older days with books to cross reference the numbers. If it ain't in the computer they say that they don't have it. He was trying to sell me on hi tension spark plug wire. I told him that I need copper core. Gotta love magneto power.

Same goes for parts for my cub cadet 122. No books to order correct parts. Not even for a simple air cleaner.

I still plan on restoration on the fairbanks and international harvester lb 1.5 to 2.5 hp engines. Will have to get parts off ebay.

Jack
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lol, sounds like you got a driver that just moved up to the counter. My local NAPA still has some "old timers," I can describe what I am trying to do and they will find something that works and is cheap. Not sure why he had problems with the part number though. I found your plug in the Champion small engine book, it is listed under Fairbanks Morse.
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I stopped by the local Car Quest yesterday for some 5/8" heater hose to drain my mill stand. I had to actually go back in the parts room and show him what the box looked like. All he could find was the spools of oil hose...
 
If I may be allowed to quote myself:

"It will now be placed in drawers to work as nesting places for mills, drills, etc. If I use all of it then I can probably come up with five bucks for another one."

Well, I bought another one before I even started using it. I cut them down on the band saw to fit the drawers. Now my files, reamers and gear cutters look nice and neat.

I'm going to buy at least two more.
 
Using my Delta vertical band saw I cut a 5" x 8" x 0.5" plate for a engine mounting spacer on the portable generator I am refurbishing. After sawing I mounted the plate on the mill and cut away the torch cut riffles on one long side. The other long side (saw cut) will be trued-up tomorrow then re-arrange the clamps and square the 5" ends.
 
My local NAPA's still have the books to look up the old or odd stuff. If they don't think it is in the computer they pull out the book and go through it with the customer.
 
I prefer one of the Cut-off saws that let you set stops for control the travel of the saw on it's arm. It is a HF that I bought for a scout project. The only problem is if could use a support table. I could make one if i used it all the time.
 
My latest project was to make a back plate for a new chuck. It was fairly interesting, because I didn't have a chuck capable of holding the blank, so I had to devise an alternative work holding method.
 
Nice video and project, Dan. Thanks!

Someday, I'm going to have to do that. What freaks me is drilling all those holes to match.
 
Franko said:
Someday, I'm going to have to do that. What freaks me is drilling all those holes to match.
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A rotary table makes it a breeze. The hardest part for me was getting all the bosses to the right size. They are so short, that I couldn't use a micrometer to measure the external ones or telescoping gauges for the internal ones. I had to use a set of calipers for everything.
 
Dan...... I see you didn't cover the bed of your lathe while turning that nasty cast iron tsk.tsk.tsk. personally I wrap my lathe up like a condom leaving only the workpiece and tool post exposed, as well as have a vacuum nozzle pointed directly at the work. Are you not worried about the dust?
 
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