Hi, I need to make some brake drums for my R. Normally I'd cast and machine them in cast iron but they are 12.5"diameter and I think my chances of gettng good cast iron with no chilling is just about zilch from past experience. Is there any problem with making these from steel. I can use thick walled steel tube with a steel discc welded in and then machined. The drums on Model T Fords were steel I think and with using woven break linings , I cant see there would be a problem. Incidentally, does anyone have a source for the brake lining material? Any advice welcomed!

thanks

jeff

I'd try to find something to modify before I went to those lengths. I'd start with Ford 250 or 350 drums - they've got to be about that size. If that won't work there are trailer brakes in various sizes, especially the ones used to move mobile homes around. Several years back I worked on a plane tractor (one of those little haulers you see at airports towing planes around) that had rear drums that had to be at least that size, or maybe larger. I don't know who made the brakes, but I'll bet they were right off the shelf.

Cast iron brake drums are light years better than steel brake drums. They cool better, brake better and don't warp as easily from the heat as do the steel ones. Turn some new drums out of "off the shelf" brake drums. Do a search on this forum for brake lining. Rolly Evans came up with the best brake lining yet. It lives well with the steam cylinder oil and it stops well too.

Ok cast iron it is then! I did a search for drums a while back but the problem is they tend to just go by part number and there are no dimensions. The other problem is they all tend to be predrilled. I could pludg the holes but putting in a second set would weaken them sustantially. Does anyone know of a drum manufacterer that I could contact?

Jeff

A second set of holes usually doesn't bother the strength of the brake drums. Careful placement of the new bolt pattern is helpfull to success. I have gone through this redrilling of double sets of lug holes over and over for years. Haven't had to plug any of the old holes yet.

Jeff go with Ductile iron 85-55-06 it’s a lot stronger 85,000 t, 55,000y

Rolly

Jeff I used the lining used on crane brake drums it can get oily and wet and still hold. I can’t get you the name of the stuff till April.
Rolly

Thanks Rolly, at my rate of progress I may not need it until then!

Jeff