My junkyard find
 

My favorite part of the work day, driving by/scoping the scrap metal pile at the local dump when we go. First time ever I spotted some ford parts! I assume they are model a as they don't match anything in my vern tardel banjo book regarding spring perch placement.

Was thinking to make some jack stands out of them. Ya I looked for the 4th but could only find the 3..... Any pointers from anyone who has done so? Should I grind off the lip that lines up to the banjo center housing? Any recommended heights?

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1593050134

Re: My junkyard find
 

We never did. I have made them two ways, just cut a notch in the tube with a cutting torch and cutting a small section of pipe in half and welding it on.

Re: My junkyard find
 

They are iconic, for sure! But I think it's just a little difficult to make 'em height-adjustable. DD

Re: My junkyard find
 

Fixed height, LOL. Still handy for a lot of uses. I still have several pair from my childhood.

Re: My junkyard find
 

i have a lathe, so i always grind off the weld, and the cut them in the lathe. i have 4 that are exact height to get a ford a few inches off the ground, but in truth i seldom use them. front axle is ok because you can place them at the wishbone mount and they will not move. rear axle is another matter. the tube is slanted, steel on steel slides easily, you cant put it out far enough to get solid against the spring perch or brake plate without hitting the tire on the ground, and it'll slide on the tube if not up against something. i have some giant bolts, about 2" shank, maybe 3" wrench, coarse thread, but no nuts. i always thought i would make some female threaded plates to weld on the diff tubes for the bolts, and top them with a piece of oak or other wood, but...its pretty far down the list

Re: My junkyard find
 

Maybe turning them into a nice little stool to have around in the shop will put them to better use ?

Re: My junkyard find
 

thats a good thought murre. some tractor seats?

Re: My junkyard find
 

If I can find some old tractor seats..... I’m gonna steal that idea..... mount them on a post so they can swivel...... Mark

Re: My junkyard find
 

Save the spring hangers. Good for hot rodders.

Re: My junkyard find
 

Put them up for sale. Someone probably could use them.
Pain in the back to move around and store.

Otherwise......bird feeder bases or bird bath bases.

Re: My junkyard find
 

Yes they are model a..10 million were made for production and I'm sure a few hundred thousand were made for service requirements check the bottom of the bearing surface opposite the spring perch..if its good,and the bearing bore inside the flange is good its serviceable.My vote is for a grinder stand.. flower pot stands too..

Re: My junkyard find
 

If you have 50s diner counter seats, would make a cool bases for them to bolt down. If I were making jack stands I would take the lip off the bottom but I prefer a larger base. I think would bolt one to a truck wheel for a disk grinder stand.

Re: My junkyard find
 

Hot rodders sometimes cut the spring perches off with the two top bolt flange ears intact. They will use them for bolt on spring mounts for AV8 conversions using the later Ford axles for more strength in the drive line. The set up has proven to work OK but very good quality bolts have to be used for the backing plates.

A person can make them adjustable for jack stands with a little pipe fabrication using heavy clevis pins with drilled holes at specific intervals. Most folks just don't do it since the Asian jack stands are so inexpensive.

Re: My junkyard find
 

They make dandy period type grinder stands. I take a scrap ford wheel and cut off the outer rim even with the center section then weld the axel housing on top of the center wheel section. I cut off the race from the end of the housing and weld a 1/2" steel plate on top sizing to fit the base of the grinder or polisher. I weld 2 studs to the bottom inside of the wheel and fill with concrete. Finally I add 1 or 2 pieces of 2'' board to the plate to bolt the tool to. This can determine the final height of the tool. Very stable and will not move around in use. The down side is they are also heavy. But they look good in a Ford garage/shop.

Re: My junkyard find
 

Will,


Being interested in Model A's, I'd hate to see some potentially good Model A housings be cut up. If the bearing surfaces aren't bad, they might be just what some Model A guy needs. And even those can be fixed by re-sleeving. Maybe an email to a local Model A chapter to see if anybody is in need. If not... cut 'em up for jack stands.

Re: My junkyard find
 

Agreed I don't want to cut up anything of good use. The bearing sleeves are no good and would need to be resleeved. I will check around and see if anyone can utilize them before cutting them up.

My wife has to many bird feeders/baths as is and I managed to get a electric sit stand desk base I modified for a height adjustable grinder stand. I do like the stool idea but could use a couple more jack stands.

Re: My junkyard find
 

I’m going to make some of those jack stands myself. But I really want to make one of these.

With a Ford or Mercury tailgate of course!

Re: My junkyard find
 

I have tossed numerous housings just recently - most were a LOT nicer than these. On ebay, I'd started the bidding (no reserve0 at $9.99. NO bids. Their in the trash.

Re: My junkyard find
 

I use them for tractor, jack stands, both front and rear, by welding 4" channel to the top. The Ford tractor, rear housing, is also tapered but, as said, you space them out.

Re: My junkyard find
 

Those housings were stripped and junked..'saving' junk ,especially from a production run of 5 million units is up to the owner.There are.enough model a parts and cars.for anyone who wants one.Saving parts.for the next.guy is a sure fire way to end up with no room.

Re: My junkyard find
 

I have 4 stands made from Model A bells in my shop that I use all the time. I cut off the spring mount and drilled 2 holes in the bearing surface to which I welded 1/2 inch nuts, then found some heavy wall tubing that slipped inside the ends to which I welded short lengths of 3 inch channel on the top end. By adding a 1/2 inch bolt to each of the nuts I have some very useful adjustable stands. Built them about 40 years ago.

Re: My junkyard find
 

I could use just the outer end of one and I don't care about the bearing surface. Only concern is that the shackle hole isn't worn out.

Re: My junkyard find
 

They can be sleeved if not too bad.

Re: My junkyard find
 

I sent you a PM.

Re: My junkyard find
 

Another thing you might want to do is build a "bead breaker" for lawn tractor tires ?