New E-Wheel

[Welding_Engineer]

New E-Wheel

I made some good progress on my new E-Wheel this weekend. Thanks to Hoosier Pattern for a set of beautiful anvils and upper wheel.
Photos of E-wheel and the first job I have to make: an exhaust shroud for a 1942 dirigible.




Dave

[hardtailjohn]

Dave,
Nice looking adjuster for the Ewheel! I'd wondered about one of those a while back.. it seems like a natural!
So what engine goes in the dirigible?
John H.

[Ernie Ferrucci]

Hi Dave

E-wheel is looking good. That's an interesting adjuster, is it a tail stock from a lathe? I don't know a lot about lathes, so I need to ask.

Ernie F.

[v2cad]

Dave,
Can't you just run down to the Dirigible store and buy one?
Just kidding, I work at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station and even though we still have a few blimps flying around once in a while there's no parts left.

J.

[butch foster]

Dave - If you can, bring the dirigible part and the ewheel up to my place on the 24th. Maybe we can all learn something by kicking some ideas around on how to fabricate the shroud.

Butch.

[Welding_Engineer]

Hi all,

1.) The adjuster is a tail stock of a lathe. The action is very smooth and strong.
2.) I don t know what engine goes in the dirigible.
3.) I can’t bring the dirigible parts to the meet as I don’t have them. I had to take a lot of photos and measurements along with cardboard templates.

I put the height adjusters on the E-Wheel this morning

If I can get a trailer I will bring the E-Wheel to the meet.




Dave

[FriarTuck]

Hey Dave.... Using the lathe tailstock is a great idea. There are a lot of old machines around that are no longer servicable, but have tailpieces that are still good. The action is got to be really smooth and easy to adjust. Good thinking. Keep the pictures coming.

[butch foster]

Dave - Too bad about not having the dirigible part available. Looks like a very cool project. I didn't appreciate how big the ewheel was until I viewed the pics relative to the garage door. Don't kill yourself trying to move it up for the meet. I'm just nervous that we will be short of wheels if all we have to rely on is my bench wheel and the mini.

Butch.

[Welding_Engineer]

Thanks for the interest in my E-Wheel project. All wheels and mounts by Hoosier Pattern. Top wheel is 3 x 8 hardened the7 lower anvils are 2 x 3. The main tubing is 3 x 3 x ¼ and the legs are 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 1/4. The anvil post is 1-1/2 sq bar inside 2”sq tube which I cut in half to machine the weld off and square the corners then welded back together. I welded in stainless nuts for ball bearing tipped set screws (see photo)to allow adjustment and smooth motion of the anvil post. The tail stock adjuster works great. Since anvil adjustment is done by foot I wanted a strong set-up. I can stand on the tail stock hand wheel with no deflection. The 3 height adjusters are ¾-10 threaded rod with hand wheels. The casters are 4 x 2 cast iron core, plastic coated swivels. (Note: every thing in my shop that has casters utilizes all swivel casters. My shop is small so to increase efficiency I rearrange my shop for each job making a specialized work cell for each job)
I plan to make a rack for my anvils. Also, I will make a planishing hammer to be welded to the main frame over the back leg. Maybe a stretcher and shrinker set over the other back leg.

Dave