[cantankrs]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your input. Welcome to MLU, and all the best with any future projects.

You are quite right in that trying to free up rusted bits is a questionable route. With the cost of Oxy these days, and the amount that we and a lot of readers probably go thru, and the amount of time making special tools to hold or disassemble parts, whether to salvage or manufacture is a valid question.

On the other hand making a part involves money (in materials if you do it yourself, and in the cost of labour as well if you farm it out). Also it requires some thought and research into the particular materials required.
We've gathered over the years more machine tools and equipment than the average enthusiast so we figure we might as well use it. Also turning and welding (especially stick welding) if we do it ourselves, are very time consuming tasks. We tend to do 99% of jobs with the 4 jaw chucks rather than swap the not particularly accurate 3 jaws into position, so setting up in the lathes takes time not to mention getting things right for thread cutting. Setting up in the mill takes time too. So we try and rescue what we can.

Having said that Bruce has bought some hi-tensile rod with the view to making some rods up. I'll keep you all posted on that.

Scratch building something is a big job. Making something to be identical to the original without detailed, accurate, drawings or at least loaned parts to copy from is pretty impossible. If you want a carrier then gradually tracking down bits or buying them if you come across them (if the price is acceptable) is the most practical way to go.

Regards

Alex