20 Ton Jacks, Blowtorch, Metal Cupola and More, Long Read
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 2:47 am
Hi Guys
It has been a little over six weeks since I got back from my weeks vacation in Vermont and I think it is time to update you on work in progress and orders.
I am still behind in filling orders and the main reason is I have so much to do in completing projects required to fill orders that are also way behind.
Since my return I have shipped 15 orders, most of them large ones, two weeks ago I decided I had to finish some of my outstanding projects and other related parts. This meant the making of three new molds, two for spin casting parts for the 20 ton jacks and the blowtorch and one for the resin cast Panther Jack. I also added a couple of extra parts I needed. The molds were finish on Monday and I have been casting parts since then. Below are the results of my time casting parts. Some of the jack parts were cast before I left using original molds I made about 3 months ago.
20 Ton Jacks.
All parts are now cast to fill all orders with a few to spare, however I still have to assemble one of each to take pictures to write the assembly instructions, so it is still going to be a while before they are ready to ship.
I have come up against a problem with the functional jacks, the crank handles cast in white metal are not strong enough for constant use. The handles will be attached by a .080 screw to the drive shaft, white metal is to soft for this fine thread and is easily stripped. To solve the problem I am going to have the jack handles cast in bronze. This will take several weeks as I have to get molds made, cast some samples to test before going into production.
All functional jacks on order will be shipped with white metal handles so you can still use them. Once the bronze ones are cast I will ship them to those that have a functional jack. It will be a simple switch of the handles and not effect the main body of the jack. All nonfunctional and resin jacks will come with white metal handles as a permanent part.
Picture of cast parts for the jacks.
Blowtorch Heater for the Tiger 1, Tiger 2 and Panther.
All white metal parts to fill orders have been cast, however I still have the artwork to do for the photo-etched blowtorch tray. This has been a problem from the start as there is very little information and pictures of the real parts to work with. Kent Wiik has been able to help me with this and I now have the best information I can get on these trays and how they were attached to the tanks. I will start on the trays next week.
Heater cover for the Late Tiger 1 and Tiger 2.
Parts have been cast, but I am waiting on receiving the cone head bolts from the machine shop. Do not have a completion date at this time.
Tiger 2 rear access cover.
These have been cast and include the cold start posts/studs, with a removable center cover for the cold start starter rod. This center cover is held by a cone head bolt, same delay as above.
I now have to find the time to finish the project I started about two years ago and that is the Kubelwagon Cold Start for tanks, half-tracks and wheeled vehicles. Many new parts to make and redesigning some parts already made. This is going to take some time.
Tiger 1 and Tiger 2 late cupola in all metal.
I have been asked several times if I could supply a all metal cupola. As I required a part to balance the mold for the Tiger 2 rear access cover I used the hatch cover master for the cupola. These cast well, I have figured out a way to cast the body of the cupola using my master for the resin cupola. Not sure when I will have time to put it to the test, but it will be soon as my resin casting mold for the body has gone bad. I hope to be able to offer the all metal cupola in the near future, if not I will make a new resin casting mold. Parts are made for the current outstanding orders for the resin cupola.
Picture of cast parts for the blowtorch, heater cover, rear access cover, cupola hatch and the back plate for the late fire extinguisher, need to make a new one of these with a thicker round plate as old molds are breaking up and do not cast well.
Picture of all molds to make the parts mentioned above, I include these so you all understand what is required to produce these parts and the time it takes. There are 49 parts in these molds and masters had to be made for each one. I do not use other peoples products to make molds and sell as my own, unlike another company that I will not name here, but you all know who I am talking about.
Here are a couple of pictures at the lake side where I spent my vacation. It was great, lots of beach parties, good food and beer.
Please if you have any concerns about your current orders, contact me by e-mail, I will do my best expedite your order if you are desperate to contining with your build.
Regards
Mike
It has been a little over six weeks since I got back from my weeks vacation in Vermont and I think it is time to update you on work in progress and orders.
I am still behind in filling orders and the main reason is I have so much to do in completing projects required to fill orders that are also way behind.
Since my return I have shipped 15 orders, most of them large ones, two weeks ago I decided I had to finish some of my outstanding projects and other related parts. This meant the making of three new molds, two for spin casting parts for the 20 ton jacks and the blowtorch and one for the resin cast Panther Jack. I also added a couple of extra parts I needed. The molds were finish on Monday and I have been casting parts since then. Below are the results of my time casting parts. Some of the jack parts were cast before I left using original molds I made about 3 months ago.
20 Ton Jacks.
All parts are now cast to fill all orders with a few to spare, however I still have to assemble one of each to take pictures to write the assembly instructions, so it is still going to be a while before they are ready to ship.
I have come up against a problem with the functional jacks, the crank handles cast in white metal are not strong enough for constant use. The handles will be attached by a .080 screw to the drive shaft, white metal is to soft for this fine thread and is easily stripped. To solve the problem I am going to have the jack handles cast in bronze. This will take several weeks as I have to get molds made, cast some samples to test before going into production.
All functional jacks on order will be shipped with white metal handles so you can still use them. Once the bronze ones are cast I will ship them to those that have a functional jack. It will be a simple switch of the handles and not effect the main body of the jack. All nonfunctional and resin jacks will come with white metal handles as a permanent part.
Picture of cast parts for the jacks.
Blowtorch Heater for the Tiger 1, Tiger 2 and Panther.
All white metal parts to fill orders have been cast, however I still have the artwork to do for the photo-etched blowtorch tray. This has been a problem from the start as there is very little information and pictures of the real parts to work with. Kent Wiik has been able to help me with this and I now have the best information I can get on these trays and how they were attached to the tanks. I will start on the trays next week.
Heater cover for the Late Tiger 1 and Tiger 2.
Parts have been cast, but I am waiting on receiving the cone head bolts from the machine shop. Do not have a completion date at this time.
Tiger 2 rear access cover.
These have been cast and include the cold start posts/studs, with a removable center cover for the cold start starter rod. This center cover is held by a cone head bolt, same delay as above.
I now have to find the time to finish the project I started about two years ago and that is the Kubelwagon Cold Start for tanks, half-tracks and wheeled vehicles. Many new parts to make and redesigning some parts already made. This is going to take some time.
Tiger 1 and Tiger 2 late cupola in all metal.
I have been asked several times if I could supply a all metal cupola. As I required a part to balance the mold for the Tiger 2 rear access cover I used the hatch cover master for the cupola. These cast well, I have figured out a way to cast the body of the cupola using my master for the resin cupola. Not sure when I will have time to put it to the test, but it will be soon as my resin casting mold for the body has gone bad. I hope to be able to offer the all metal cupola in the near future, if not I will make a new resin casting mold. Parts are made for the current outstanding orders for the resin cupola.
Picture of cast parts for the blowtorch, heater cover, rear access cover, cupola hatch and the back plate for the late fire extinguisher, need to make a new one of these with a thicker round plate as old molds are breaking up and do not cast well.
Picture of all molds to make the parts mentioned above, I include these so you all understand what is required to produce these parts and the time it takes. There are 49 parts in these molds and masters had to be made for each one. I do not use other peoples products to make molds and sell as my own, unlike another company that I will not name here, but you all know who I am talking about.
Here are a couple of pictures at the lake side where I spent my vacation. It was great, lots of beach parties, good food and beer.
Please if you have any concerns about your current orders, contact me by e-mail, I will do my best expedite your order if you are desperate to contining with your build.
Regards
Mike