american #2 mill

henryj · February 06, 2011, 09:18:55 PM

I am new to this forum as of this evening.
I have operated a american mill for the past 35 years with a lot of success and minor problems thru the years.
A few weeks ago my carraige drive system (belt contol drive) pinion gear that runs the cable system broke in half!!
My question is does anyone have one laying around or will I have to machine a new one. it's 4 1/2" wide and about 3"thick?
any ideas or locations would be a great help. Thanks Henry J

tyb525 · February 06, 2011, 09:36:47 PM

Welcome to the forum Henry J, I can't help you but I know for a fact there is at least one person around here than can, just give them a moment to get here

sgschwend · February 07, 2011, 01:36:10 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Would it be possible to repair the gear you have? Braze it back together. At least have it for a backup.

bandmiller2 · February 07, 2011, 06:51:59 AM

Welcome Henry,you must be talking about the pinion gear that meshes with the big gear on the cable drum.Give us a good description, the pinion shaft bore,no. of teeth est. as those old cast gears are quite genaric.As Steve says the quick and dirty would be to braze or ni-rod weld the gear.If you have a local foundry they could use your old gear for a patton,but then you'd have to bore the shaft hole.Best thing I can say now is give us the gear specs someone here must have one, probibly under 2' of snow now.Where are you located?? Frank C.

henryj · February 07, 2011, 02:20:17 PM

I have some added information for this gear.
shaft size is 1.5" with a 3/8" keyway there are 14 teeth total dia. 4.5" and 3" thick.
it is the pinion gear that drives the larger bull gear that turns the drum under the carraige for the cable system.
The gear was welded many years ago before I had the mill and I tryed it again but without success.
Thanks for the feedbacks Henry J

paul case · February 07, 2011, 08:05:56 PM

welcome henry

pc

Autocar · February 07, 2011, 08:33:06 PM

Henry I would take it to a weld shop and let them clean it up good and rebraze it. Number two idea take it to a tool and die place and see what they would charge. My dad was a tool man he keep me in business making parts for me. I had a American mill that layed around here forever and a junk man showed up one day and I let him have it to clean tha area up a little. I had to come to the house I couldn't watch him bust it up. I'll check down the shop in the morning and see what I have laying around. Good luck Bill

pineywoods · February 07, 2011, 08:39:51 PM

Google "boston gear works". good chance that's where the original came from...

Autocar · February 08, 2011, 10:20:57 AM

Henry I looked while I thought this gear was laying but couldn't find it this morning, why dosen't that surprise me ! :D Iam not sure how many teeth this one had , if I run across it I will get back at you. Bill

woodpeckerlips · February 08, 2011, 11:03:24 AM

Henry,
I'm pretty sure I have an old American mill piled up in my power line. It came with a bunch of other sawmill items I bought at a estate auction. I was after the frick 00 and power unit that was there. The other mill that I put out in the power line is complete but in pieces. I'm pretty sure its a american. I haven't scraped it because I knew sooner or later somebody would need something off it. Besides, it don't eat much. Send me a message. I'll give you my phone # and figure out what gear you need. I can take a picture with my phone and email it to you or something.

henryj · February 08, 2011, 11:38:53 AM

Hi woodpeckerlips
I have no idea how to send directly to you maybe some one can clue me in on how . I see your profile has no email.
henryj

beenthere · February 08, 2011, 11:42:24 AM

henryj
Click on his name and his profile will have a place to click and send him a private message (PM).

Welcome.
Do you have a HenryJ ?

woodpeckerlips · February 08, 2011, 03:39:14 PM

Henryj
I tried to send you a message back. I am electronically retarded. I use my blackberry for work and checking out the forum. I don't have E:mail at the house. If you didn't get my response I tried to send you back. Send me your # and we'll see if I have what your looking for. If I do, it's yours!

henryj · February 08, 2011, 06:27:51 PM

Hi beenthere
Thanks for the tip on the PM. it worked just fine.
to answer the Henry J car issue, no but I do have Hupmobiles, 36 Diamond T, 36 Ford pickup,47 lincoln, 42 Cadillac,etc
The Henry J has never been around when when I wanted one.
Henry J