Unusual speed selector

chrisg · Post by **chrisg** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:58 pm

I found a standard D yesterday with a seized mandrel bearing and the guy took it apart completely. Well I got the bearing out . And started puting back together and found a strange ( to my novice eye ) speed selector. Any ideas

Jerry B. · Post by **Jerry B.** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 7:05 pm

I've not seen a speed selector like that. It's very interesting. Jerry B.

Post by **rgordon939** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 8:41 pm

Sure looks like A Rube Goldberg speed selector to me. Don’t understand what they were trying to accomplish over the factory selector.

Rich Gordon

Post by **EarlH** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 10:19 pm

looks like it's out of a music box!

Post by **Lucius1958** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:00 pm

EarlH wrote:looks like it's out of a music box!

True: if it were meant for the machine, wouldn't there be a "2" and "4" engraved on the brass? And what is that tiny lug on top meant for?

Bill

TinfoilPhono · Post by **TinfoilPhono** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:18 pm

Looks like a clever home machinist decided to simplify the 2/4 minute change with a lever rather than pulling or pushing a knob. It's just a bit crude but still pretty well thought out. I like it a lot.

Post by **EarlH** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 7:51 am

Maybe it kept jumping out of second gear. I had a '46 Ford that would do that....

Website · Post by **FellowCollector** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 8:19 am

I like it! For sure, it's a design that Rube Goldberg would be proud of

but it's also a lot more convenient to shift gears with a top mounted lever over a small side mounted button. I can't figure out what purpose that little eyelet on top serves though. The brass machining looks rather crude but overall it's a keeper from my perspective presuming it functions!

Doug

Post by **Dave D** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 10:34 am

FellowCollector wrote:I like it! For sure, it's a design that Rube Goldberg would be proud of but it's also a lot more convenient to shift gears with a top mounted lever over a small side mounted button. I can't figure out what purpose that little eyelet on top serves though. The brass machining looks rather crude but overall it's a keeper from my perspective presuming it functions!

Doug

I think it may have been for a small spring to keep tension one way or the other. Just a guess.
Dave

Phonolair · Post by **Phonolair** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 5:05 pm

FellowCollector wrote: I can't figure out what purpose that little eyelet on top serves though. Doug

I believe that eyelet at one time held a 2&4 minute marker. It looks like when you move the lever back and forth to change the speed. The pointer will pivot back and forth also. If there was something on that eyelet it would point to it.
In any case a very cool item, looks home grown but something I'd keep for the collection.
My 2 cents

Larry Crandell

Unusual speed selector

Unusual speed selector

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