1923 Mack AC Bulldog 5 ton

[j hancock]

A friend is working on a 1923 Bulldog and he is pretty proud of the restored steering wheel and the remade radiator cap.

[41chevy]

The work on the radiator cap is extremely well done.

Did he do the wheel himself? If so what did he use fro the wheel it self? Mine are all a rubber compound over canvas and wire and ALL need to be restored.

I'm jealous of his perfect hood. I need 5 AC and 1 AC-6 hoods. I've gotten the original plans from the U.S. Patent Office to make them. Another member on here is getting geared up make cab panels for the early AC's Paul

[Superdog]

that is very nice.

[j hancock]

He has the wooden windshield frame almost ready and the sheet metal has been cut for the cab.

I didn't get all the steering wheel info because he is getting ready to close things up for the winter. It is a project that has giving him fits but he got one good wheel out of the deal and he may try for some more later. He made an aluminum mold and made provision for the wire core to go inside. Then he has come up with some sort of resin that replicates the original type of rubber. The flow rate of the resin is on the low side and therefore leaves a poor finish. He was able to use more product to fill some of the problem areas after the wheel was pulled from the mold. He rigged the mold so that he could pull vacuum on it and that helped a little. The mold may need to be clamped to a vibratory table to get better results or more research into a resin that has better flow characteristics. Several people are after him for wheels but he is stepping away from the project for a little bit to regroup on a plan.

[Loadstar]

Looks great!!! Nice craftsmanship

[41chevy]

Thanks for the wheel info. I have been to a company that does resin casting for Victorian Era Home details and used centrifugal set up to help the flow of the material. I never thought of resin for the restoration of the wheels. Thank him for the idea. Paul

[fxfymn]

There is a definite market for a steering wheel restoration service out there if anyone has the time and skills to develop it. Almost all of the AB's and AC's that are restoration candidates need it done.

It would make a great part-time retirement business for someone.

[j hancock]

Paul, keep us posted on what you find. The exchange of information and advice is what keeps the hobby going.

I have asked him about making more steering wheels and he might. He wants to do some more research into the rim materials. He is enjoying retirement from his day job in manufacturing but he has a secondary manufacturing business making small parts for the aftermarket auto parts trade. That also is something he is trying to get away from. He has seen many things in his years in manufacturing because everything used to be made in America.

He has diverse interest ranging form the Bulldog to a hot rod C-10 and a Ram Air IV GTO conv to play with.

[41chevy]

Paul, keep us posted on what you find. The exchange of information and advice is what keeps the hobby going.

I have asked him about making more steering wheels and he might. He wants to do some more research into the rim materials. He is enjoying retirement from his day job in manufacturing but he has a secondary manufacturing business making small parts for the aftermarket auto parts trade. That also is something he is trying to get away from. He has seen many things in his years in manufacturing because everything used to be made in America.

He has diverse interest ranging form the Bulldog to a hot rod C-10 and a Ram Air IV GTO conv to play with.

I will tell you one thing I'm looking to try for the steering wheel is to scan the dimensions from a relatively intact wheel to a CAD program and have the parts 3-D printed with a Cross Linked Palomar Resin. I want to do it in two halves to fit over the wire and bond them together with Master Bond Structural Aerospace Epoxy that is designed to bond metal and fiber reinforced composites air frame assemblies together. The material CLP resin has the feel and look to the original MACK molded hard rubber. This was developed for the Rutun- Scaled Composites all composite Triumph business jet

The 3-D printing works very well but is some what costly. I've had a few things made. The inside cab pieces for my B model air intake cost me $120 and almost $250 to have one AC head light mount scanned and printed so I can have a mold made to cast them. Paul

[Superdog]

Paul,did you get the AC6 you posted the other day?

[j hancock]

Paul, it sounds like you have a game plan! I am not savvy enough to fully understand 3 D printing but some of the items made using the process are amazing. With good measurements and a well written program, it could be the hot ticket.

It may not be cheap but to bring long obsolete parts back could help a number of people.

[41chevy]

Paul, it sounds like you have a game plan! I am not savvy enough to fully understand 3 D printing but some of the items made using the process are amazing. With good measurements and a well written program, it could be the hot ticket.

It may not be cheap but to bring long obsolete parts back could help a number of people.

The 3-D printers and Vector scan systems are coming very affordable. A basic 3-D is about $700 to $1000. The one big enough to do the steering wheel is down to $3900 to $4200. Even Radio Shack sells the basic 3-D and supplies now. When we get settled in Va. I'll purchase a system that can do a 24 x 24 cube size part. I already own a Vector machine that I use with my CNC Profile Mill, Plasma cutter and Tubing Bender so it's basically a software up grade. Paul

[1957B61Vt]

Nice work

he should be proud of it .

wow !

[j hancock]

The 3-D printers and Vector scan systems are coming very affordable. A basic 3-D is about $700 to $1000. The one big enough to do the steering wheel is down to $3900 to $4200. Even Radio Shack sells the basic 3-D and supplies now. When we get settled in Va. I'll purchase a system that can do a 24 x 24 cube size part. I already own a Vector machine that I use with my CNC Profile Mill, Plasma cutter and Tubing Bender so it's basically a software up grade. Paul

You are going to have all the toys!

[41chevy]

Paul,did you get the AC6 you posted the other day?

It's paid for and transferred to me. Before the week of rain I had it tented and all the bee nests killed. So I can remove the house counter weight and boom to move it as soon as it dries up to work on it.

As for owning all the toys Jim, I bought a lot of machines and tools when Grumman Aerospace and Fairchild-Republic Aircraft companies closed up on the Island. Most were bought by the pound.

Paul

[mowerman]

wow so far,,,pretty good work,,,my pops was delivering ice,,,in something like that....1932 his first truckin job.rough days,,no heat,,no glass.wow..bob

[paulbrook]

Nice AC!!

Over here in the UK we have done quite a bit with the 3d scanning and either printing or CNC pattern making; it is particularly good for the smaller and more complex parts.

I am soon to make a hood (and a cab) for my AC - other than the louvres it is pretty straightforward although the double folded seams might require a bit of practice. It will probably not be cost effective to make them for customers in the US but I will be making the timber jig to form it on so the least I can do is to post some pictures here once I start!

Paul

www.rustytrucks.com

[41chevy]

Nice AC!!

Over here in the UK we have done quite a bit with the 3d scanning and either printing or CNC pattern making; it is particularly good for the smaller and more complex parts.

I am soon to make a hood (and a cab) for my AC - other than the louvres it is pretty straightforward although the double folded seams might require a bit of practice. It will probably not be cost effective to make them for customers in the US but I will be making the timber jig to form it on so the least I can do is to post some pictures here once I start!

Paul

www.rustytrucks.com

Please do!

I've copied and scaled up to full size the 1923 MACK hood plans from the U.S. Patent Office. I was also fortunate enough to be allowed to make and in side and out side RTV molds of the hood louvers. This will allow a resin copy to be cast for a CNC copy to make louver press dies with the curves. Paul

[NY-B61]

Fascinating thread and remarkable craftsmanship.

[farmallgray]

Do you have any photos of the engine? I need some reference photos for building a model. Looks like a very nice restoration.

[j hancock]

Finally stopped by again to check on the progress today. More sheet metal work so it can get some paint.

[41chevy]

That is the most perfect hood I have ever seen!! It almost looks too perfect! Paul

[j hancock]

Some engine detail pictures. The updraft carb is low right next to the front spring. There is an added heat shield to the exhaust manifold. The water pump is mounted on the right front of the engine and the magneto on the left side.

[b615rich]

That whole truck looks so clean and straight. Very nice work! That hood is perfect,..if you ever look at one up close the angles are crazy. It looks awesome. Thanks for sharing Jim

[Vladislav]

Jim, thank you for the detailed shots.

There is not many ... a.. uhh... ANY Bulldogs in my neighbourhood to look over.