2015 at the Hammond Barn

[RHClarke]

I think that Bob and Grant broke the code - wait until Rob arrives and sparks up Lucifer before going out to the barn. Bob turned up at around 11 AM, Grant arrived just after lunch. The joke was on them as the temperature in the barn did not go past 40oF.

It was -27oC when I arrived this morning. At that temperature the snow shrieks when you drive over it or walk on it. Factor in the wind chill, and the temp plunged deeper. It was a good day to work in the barn. While Lucifer warmed up, I cleared the snow and cleaned off the shelters that needed cleaning. Those jobs got done quickly as my fingers while clad in insulated gloves, began to "sing" with the cold.

Back in the barn, I began surgery on my M37 fender. Bob arrived shortly thereafter and brought his truck into the barn for more tin adjustments. I am sure that the snow on his tires did not melt during its stay in the barn, but being out of the wind and close to a furnace sure makes work more bearable.

The rest of the day was spent working in relative comfort on tin projects basking in the warmth of Lucifer's breath. Makes one wonder how the folks in the Light Aid Detachments were able to function in the cold and while under enemy observation and fire...

Photos:

1 - Today's object of obsession - M37 Fender
2 - Bob's calibrated eyeball was employed to fab up a patch panel
3 - Some nifty clamps to keep the work lined up
4 - Bob enjoying the cold air
5 - The man's reaction when I told him that his truck was much more problematic than a HUP.

[David DeWeese]

Hi.

Really like those blue sheetmetal clamps! Looks like a great idea....did you guys make them?

The very best of luck to everyone on their restorations.....it looks like you all are having fun!

Regards, David

[RHClarke]

Hi David, We do enjoy the hobby despite the weather we get here. The clamps are available at welding suppliers and on epay:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/8-PACK-PREMIU...item3cefd3ca8a

[Bob Carriere]

Thanks for cleaning up the shelters and the doorways.

The blue clampes are 4 for $20. at Princess Auto.

They are made of section of square steel used for hanging external shed doors.... a few wing nuts... plumber copper tape, spring, etc.

The centre piece is made of plumber tie strap made of solid copper. We broke one today the copper strap got wedged too tight and I pulled too hard..... however easily replaced.

Rob forgot to mention the delicate dentistry he is doing with the MIG welder....... the final product should leave not trace of having a patch butt welded. Now a good body man could do it in 15 minutes.... at the barn we take a little longer but get it done right. Everything we do is usually new to us so we learn as we go. Tomorrow we plan to take the nose off the cab 11....again... for further refinements.



Cheers

[sth65pac]

Nice work Bob,

That is a neat way to repair guards. Far easier than trying to beat a guard straight. (oh the joy)

Long time member, but I rarely have time to post.

Cheers,

Ian

[Jordan Baker]

I really like those clamps. I could have used them for fixing the floor of my CMP cab

[Bob Carriere]

Someting happened to me yesterday while driving my truck. As I was leaving the driveway onto the street...right hand turn....while crash shifting into 3 rd gear ( I was in 4x4 low range)...... truck continued to turn directly into the ditch...... a bit scary with no cab going in at 45 degrees over the snow bank nose first for the hydro pole.... truck stalled resting on the steel guy wire of the hydro pole. I obviously panicked trying to abort the shift, trying to get to the brake pedal and steering wildly to the left..... you have to understand that driving a cab 11 with the small foot space while wearing Winter boots only allows the use of one foot at a time...... CRASH.

Tried getting out but was floating on the hard packed snow bank.

The Pitman Arm ball had separated from the arm....front wheel full right lock.

Well I towed it back it back to the yard with the tractor and tackled the repairs today.

The Pitman arm ball is welded on to the arm but the weld penetration was only about 1/6 of an inch deep and fractured after 74 years..... what else is about to go????

Today I managed to wire the arm/ball together enough to manoeuvre the truck out of the sea container and into the barn.

I must apologize for the poor resolution of the pictures as I was only using my cell phone.

Had a bitch of a time removing the arm from the steering box shaft ..... finally resorted to a pulley puller which I installed with as much tension as I could and applied heat with the acetylene torch...... and it just popped loose. This pitman arm was from another truck as my original had some gorilla welding and plate reinforcement besides looked awful.

Now before applying heat I had liberally soaked the spline with penetrating oil which dripped and coated the arm. While heating the pitman arm the surface oil quickly evaporated but as I played the torch flame up and down and all around I notice small cracks where the oil was coming to the surface.... in all 4 cracks.
A potential disaster waiting to happen.

Well I do have spare pitman arms but they are on the trucks in the back field and it bitching Winter here so I reinstalled the same one for the time being.

So I set about to weld up the old parts......

I ground the ball/shaft and the arm to get better penetration and welded at the highest setting of my mig welder.... than did a second pass to created a weld button the width of the arm. Should stay in place.

Next Spring I must find a good Pitman Arm and will test it for cracks.

We have to remember that our machines are old and need special attention....... I shiver to think this could happen at full speed ........

Now for the pictures.