Yoke centerpieces

[Pearson]

Does anyone know of a source for the yoke centerpieces that go on the pretzel style yokes?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Only Hank.

Hank? I need some too!

[Sloanlow]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

I need a couple also, mine are misshapen, I'm thinking about having a leather worker cover them and doll them up then placing the emblem back in the middle. Just a thought.

I saw a very nice set while looking at photos of interiors. They looked new......Please advise if you find some good ones.

Jim A

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

I have the master and materials to cast them but they are WAAAAAY down on the priority list because we can fly without them. I also have a mold for glove box door handles and a buck for instrument panels if any of you are crazy enough to want to tap one out from a flat sheet. The noise will have your neighbors standing in front of your house with torches and pitch forks if you want to make one. I did mine several years ago and have a parrot that STILL makes the tapping sound.
If someoine wants to cast them and is in a hurry, I need a pair too. I also have a silkscreen negative of the markings for the metal "button" that goes in the center of the ball. We just need to stamp out the buttons and get them silkscreened.

[Sloanlow]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Hank

we are talking about the plastic peices in the center of the yoke? Arent we? You say you have the harware to manufacture the plastic centerpeice for the pretzel wheel?

I would be interested in taking on the task if it is not advanced rocket science. I 'm certified to regular rocket science, Im only allowed to discuss advanced rocket science.

I take it that it is not injection molded, it must be some other process.

Jim Allison

[Robert Lees]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Well it can't be brain surgery, said the rocket scientist.

Injection moulding would probably work. The rear piece has three brass threaded inserts either moulded or cast in, to take the three through-bolts.

I talked with a friend of mine who owns a vacuum-mould company, and he could not do the inserts...they need to cast in.

[Pearson]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Is there any chance that the factory still makes them the same as they were in 1946?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Hank

we are talking about the plastic peices in the center of the yoke? Arent we? You say you have the harware to manufacture the plastic centerpeice for the pretzel wheel?

I would be interested in taking on the task if it is not advanced rocket science. I 'm certified to regular rocket science, Im only allowed to discuss advanced rocket science.

I take it that it is not injection molded, it must be some other process.

Jim Allison

The old original ones I have are made of a molded plastic that has warped and dried out over time. There are lots of cracks and mis-fits from sitting for years in the sun. They are cast from a resin, but it is a BAD one for anything that needs to be in the sunny part of a cockpit. The capture nuts are pressed in but there is no reason they couldn’t be cast in place and it would reduce the cracking around the nuts.
What I have for making a new one is a new, beautiful, turned wood pretzel ball (no I didn’t make it) that is made to be used to make a mold. If I remember correctly I have already made the mold but never had the time to cast up the new center pieces (the resin isn’t cheap and we are probably going to need to experiment to find the best one). Making one isn’t Rocket Science (I AM certified to “advanced” but you won’t need it for this). The project has just been “back burnered” for years because the center ball wasn’t needed to fly and my plane has LOTS of things that are needed first. I need to look at my “borrowed stuff” record but I think Tom Baker was the one who sent the master to me and if it goes to someone else the original owner needs to agree.
What kind of Rocket Science do you do? I am at NASA LaRC.
Hank

[NY86]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Here's someone's answer. I doubt if the phone number is still good...

hubs

[Sloanlow]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Mostly back yard quantum orbit stuff, My group does not have to report to work like the other guys. we just sit around and think stuff up...... get a lot of money for it you know..... Why do you need to know somthin?

Jim

[Sloanlow]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Hank/john

I talked to my silk screener today and she said she could do the job, she told me that all she had to do was get a special ink for metal and the pieces. I'm going to show her one today.

How are you coming with permission for the mold?

John that illustration was enough for me. I'm researching the resin today. I don't think this is difficult, but i think it does require attention to detail.

I'm betting we could recover our investment from the tribe/or renegade owner non members by making several sets. Does anyone know where we can get the metal button/center piece made? perhaps it already exist somewhere. I will keep working on my end. I'm thinking the hardest thing about this is keeping the bubbles out.

Jim

[Robert Lees]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

metal button/center piece

That sort of "stamping" (perhaps laser cut these days) should be easily pressed out in a simple wooden mould.

[Dano"T"]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Which Taylorcrafts used the pretzels? I have the magnesium 1 piece jobbies with the triangular cut outs in my 46'...mfg date was 9-26-46 I believe. Are the pretzels used in a T-craft the same as the Cessna ones shown in the link above? My dad has a 41' BC12-65 and his wheels are different than either of the aforementioned his have wire spokes that meet at a metal center piece...are these original?

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

The banjo type was used on the pre-war deluxe, the pretzel filled in the gap till they were used up about May 46 , then the cast mag wheel came into play. Sstill at home waiting on the cable guy!! I have pics of all at the office will post tomorrow. Ercoupe used the pretzel along with others...

[NY86]

Re: Yoke centerpieces

Univair lists a part, 52055-C hub cover. They must be gold plated at $50.38 each. My parts list shows 52055-F as the front, but they show that as no longer available. 52055-C I show as the screws. Buyer beware...

These are Ercoupe parts but I doubt if they have the Ercoupe logo on them.

They also sell the wheel itself, but it's bored out for an Ercoupe shaft which is 7/8". The ones Cessna used were 5/8", IIRC and I don't know how big the T-craft ones are. You can usually reuse your old hubs, though. The wheels were made by Decker and Erco bought about 10,000 of them which have been handed down through the years, ultimately to Univair.