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Discussion Topic:
Worry Free Fan Hub
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supereal |
01-02-2018 @ 1:54 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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I understand that, Tom. I recently received a small pocket type book once owned by a machinist beginning in 1934. It is a treasure chest of drawings, calculations, and other notations. It is a virtual diary of a man who spent his life in the trade. It came in a box full of tools and artifacts sent by a friend. My eldest son does the machine work now. He invented the ball bearing fan hub for my car, and since the tooling was set up, he made a few extras which sold immediately. At the age of 63, he is a genius machinist, and often makes or repairs medical equipment for the University of Iowa's huge hospital. He served an apprenticeship to learn the trade almost 50 years ago, a practice which has since virtually disappeared, along with the machine shops which once kept much of the USA running.
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trjford8 |
01-01-2018 @ 4:46 PM
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Senior
Posts: 4232
Joined: Oct 2009
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Bob, being the grandson of an old machinist I know how much time it takes to make something like that. I was always in awe of what my grandfather could do with that big old lathe. He spent 6 days a week behind that lathe and never got rich doing it.
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supereal |
12-31-2017 @ 2:57 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks, Tom. Given the cost of materials and high speed bearings, we don't get rich making these hubs. As Tom points out, the price is considerably less than a new radiator, which is now at or above $1,000 for a good one.
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trjford8 |
12-29-2017 @ 7:36 AM
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Senior
Posts: 4232
Joined: Oct 2009
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From my perspective $350 is cheap compared to the cost of a radiator if the original fan hub fails and the fan takes out the radiator. Fan hub $350 or recored or new radiator $800+. Looks like good insurance to me.
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dandy32 |
12-29-2017 @ 2:25 AM
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New Member
Posts: 102
Joined: Oct 2017
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I want one but for $350 I will keep looking for A stock one
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supereal |
12-27-2017 @ 11:12 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Here are the details:
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supereal |
12-27-2017 @ 9:24 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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We haven't made any for quite awhile. I put one in my '47, and sold the others. They are made in our machine shop. If there is much interest, we may make a few more if we can justify the demand. If interested, leave a message in my inbox.
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kubes40 |
12-27-2017 @ 6:23 AM
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Senior
Posts: 3414
Joined: Oct 2009
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I had recently installed one on a client's car. I bought it from Mike Drsikell. It certainly appeared to be a well made unit. Time of course will tell how well it holds up.
Mike "Kube" Kubarth
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dandy32 |
12-26-2017 @ 4:53 PM
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New Member
Posts: 102
Joined: Oct 2017
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I saw them on Ebay but mac's had them but they are out I called and they said they might get more this coming year but not sure when. Bob drakes same thing
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supereal |
12-26-2017 @ 12:34 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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After two hubs failed, we decided to make an improved one. Now it has ball bearings, and has performed perfectly for many years.
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