Crane completed on Standard B

[antique1973]

All finished now! I found a rod of aluminum at Home Depot for the extension,
drilled a hole and installed an eyelet for the chain. I know it's not
supposed to be aluminum but it matches well enough for now. I also added
a segment of heater hose to attach the horn. Works like a charm, very happy
with the results.

[Jerry B.]

Aluminum rod and heater hose? Do you like the reproduction aluminum Victor horn elbows that were made in the eighties? I know a guy that has a whole drawer full of them. Just kidding... I hope you enjoy the Standard. I still think you should check for a rod at a welding supply business. Some large surgical hose is a good source for the rubber horn connector if your heater hose ever wears out. Jerry Blais

[antique1973]

Aluminum rod and heater hose? Do you like the reproduction aluminum Victor horn elbows that were made in the eighties? I know a guy that has a whole drawer full of them. Just kidding... I hope you enjoy the Standard. I still think you should check for a rod at a welding supply business. Some large surgical hose is a good source for the rubber horn connector if your heater hose ever wears out. Jerry Blais

Does the welding supply places have hollow steel tubes though? If its solid I would have to drill it for the eyelet and that would be tough going. Drilling aluminum
was rough as it was, and I broke two bits in the process. A hollow steel tube would work since I could drill through the thin wall on the side and hook the chain on that way.

Do you have a pic of the surgical hose also? All the stuff I see on Ebay is the black
hose that appears to be heater hose. I did not want to pay $8 for a small 3 inch piece so I bought a long roll of heater hose for $6 locally.

Thanks Jerry!

[Jerry B.]

The original end of the crane was solid and I would always try to create a replacement or reproduction part as close to original as possible. I would suggest rounding the end of a solid rod so it looks nice and cut a shallow grove with a Dremel very close to the rounded end. Finally, I'd attach a wire around the rod in the grove and form a hook to catch the chain.
*
I apologize if my previous post offended you. It was an attempt at teasing and the effort does not always come across in print. I am sorry.
*
Best wishes & happy collecting, Jerry

[antique1973]

The original end of the crane was solid and I would always try to create a replacement or reproduction part as close to original as possible. I would suggest rounding the end of a solid rod so it looks nice and cut a shallow grove with a Dremel very close to the rounded end. Finally, I'd attach a wire around the rod in the grove and form a hook to catch the chain.
*
I apologize if my previous post offended you. It was an attempt at teasing and the effort does not always come across in print. I am sorry.
*
Best wishes & happy collecting, Jerry

Jerry, I was not offended in the least, no need to apologize. I was unable to
see how the chain was attached since I was going by whatever photos I could
find on Ebay or other sites on the net. The funny thing is I was considering
using wire but thought that would be tacky and non-original. I guess that
is the most original approach I and I will give it a shot. Thanks for the excellent advice as always!

[Jerry B.]

I've been thinking about some of the things that I do that are not original and correct. For years now I have used Deft as a finish coat on my refinish projects. I apply several coats of the lacquer and rub down between applications and after the final coat. On several occasions I was asked if the finish was original or redone and that's the best compliment a refinisher can receive. I've really enjoyed this forum and the opinions of other collectors and I've read the threads on shellac. I really should try shellac because my projects would be more accurate. I have not tried shellac because I've always been delighted with my results and I'm the only one I have to please. Your rod and hose work just fine and you are pleased and that's all that matters. Jerry

[gramophoneshane]

Here's the end of one I did a few years ago. I didn't have a dremel at the time, so I cut the groove with a hacksaw

[antique1973]

I have the idea now, thanks for the pic Shane!

[JohnM]

Aluminum rod and heater hose? Do you like the reproduction aluminum Victor horn elbows that were made in the eighties? I know a guy that has a whole drawer full of them. Just kidding... I hope you enjoy the Standard. I still think you should check for a rod at a welding supply business. Some large surgical hose is a good source for the rubber horn connector if your heater hose ever wears out. Jerry Blais

Does the welding supply places have hollow steel tubes though? If its solid I would have to drill it for the eyelet and that would be tough going. Drilling aluminum
was rough as it was, and I broke two bits in the process.

Just FYI, aluminum is 'sticky' to a drill bit -- always add some light oil or cutting fluid when drilling, tapping, or threading aluminum, and drill at a relatively slow speed.

[antique1973]

Just FYI, aluminum is 'sticky' to a drill bit -- always add some light oil or cutting fluid when drilling, tapping, or threading aluminum, and drill at a relatively slow speed.[/quote]


Yeah, I usually use oil when drilling steel but I thought the softer aluminum would
not be a problem. After breaking the bits I wised up and used some oil.