Login

586

Truly Antique / Real Oldies

« on: December 01, 2008, 08:44:55 AM »

This will be an attempt to share a few pictures from the '08 Pageant of steam near Canandaigua NY this past summer.  It was interesting for me to see several large old machines that I had never seen before.  Enjoy.

Charlie V.

587

Tools, Trades and Engineering / Chargers

« on: May 16, 2008, 05:23:07 PM »

Hi dave,

Read again my previous post and you will note that I have made up lead wires with pinch clamps and maintain up to four batteries on one of these chargers.  I have had no problem with the charger getting hot, but as you mention, the batteries are usually near full charge when hooked up.  If any battery in the string drops below full charge, the charger will shift into "charge mode" until all batteries are again full..  Works great.

Charlie V.

588

Tools, Trades and Engineering / float chargers to price jumps

« on: April 26, 2008, 07:52:58 PM »

When I mentioned prices jumping this year in the last post, here is what I mean.  We went to Wally World yesterday. I intended to buy a 12V post type battery for my J.D. 316.  I had in mind a one or two year bottom of the line battery, typically 32 or 33 bucks.  I thought maybe 35 this year.  I am glad I left my trade in battery (required in NYS) in the suv until we checked out the new ones.  Bottom of the line, one year warranty, small size, post type battery-----$45.99 plus naturally our 8.25% sales tax.  Needless to say we came back home with the trade in still with us.  Checked out Tractor Supply on the way home, same deal.  I guess I will have to drive the other way next trip.  There is a big battery supplier where I can buy blems.

Charlie V. in WNY

589

Tools, Trades and Engineering / Float charges/reply

« on: April 26, 2008, 07:37:45 PM »

I have 8 or 10 or 12 of them, Dave.  Some are at least 5 years old and no problem thus far.  Most of mine are purchased from Wal Mart.  Some have the Schumacher name on them and some have the Ever Start name, but they are all the same.  Cost at purchase was around $ 14.99 back when and  maybe $16.99 more recently.  The way prices are jumping this year, they may be more.  

At any rate, they are switchable from 6 to 12V.  If a battery is down a 1.5A charge is delivered.  When the charger senses the battery is full charge, it switches to a Ma  maintenance charge.  They have indicator lights to tell you which state of charge it is in. I have made connectors to hook as many as four batteries to one charger for over the winter and that works fine too.

I also have two of the little transformer powered units from Harbor Freight.  They are not very impressive, although I guess they do work.
 
Hope this is helpful.

Charlie V. in WNY

590

John Deere / John Deere H

« on: April 04, 2008, 08:39:28 PM »

It looks like the salt is washed from the roads enough here in WNY to finally bring the H home.  Salt road spray is not a good thing for antique tractors or the trailers that haul them.  The weather guy is saying Sunday will be a dry day, so that is the plan.  Getting anxious.

Charlie V

591

'round the pot-bellied stove / winder

« on: March 26, 2008, 08:25:59 PM »

Thanks for the pictures, George.  I am not able to fully visualize how it works, but can make some guesses.  It sure looks to be in like new condition.  I went snooping on the net.  None that I found were as good as yours.  Most were pretty beat up.  Have fun.

Charlie

592

'round the pot-bellied stove / Making springs

« on: March 25, 2008, 09:44:48 PM »

In past years, I made quite a number of springs on a bench lathe.  I had a winder which I made.  The lathe running very slow through the back gears was the power to wind the coils.  In the factory we always had an assortment of music wire to work with as well as metal rod in many sizes to wind them around. If you have a machinists manual, I think there is a formula which will allow the calculation of what size rod to use as well as wire size and expansion factor so you may come close to what you need the first try.  I'll bet this same info is available on the net somewhere.

How about a picture so we may see what your spring winder looks like??    Have fun and be careful with the wire.  Protect your eyes.

Charlie V.

593

John Deere / John Deere H restoration

« on: March 16, 2008, 01:49:29 PM »

Not a surprise, Dave.  Mine came with receipts for $4400 not including the four new tires.  I am glad that was the other guy's money.

594

John Deere / Model H

« on: February 29, 2008, 09:46:15 PM »

Great that you are getting to be an expert. Dave.  When I have questions about my 1939, I will know who to ask.

Charlie V.