Skybound Brake Parts

[Pearson]

Has anyone had problems getting the parts they ordered from Skybound? I ordered stuff two weeks ago and it still isn't here. I called last Friday and Madalyn said she had to order the springs I asked for, and that my order went out last Thursday via US Mail. Seems to me that even with the pathetic mail service, they should have been here by now. Has anyone else had problems with slow delivery from them?

[bashibazouk]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

It seems like sometimes things take awhile to arrive, but eventually I've received everything I've ordered from Skybound. I don't know how big the operation is, but I suspect Matalyn does much of the work herself, including taking orders, bead blasting parts, and packing for shipment.

I think in some ways I've been spoiled by Aircraft Spruce, McMaster-Carr, Burger King, and the rest. I forget how long it used to take to get stuff done-- easy to do in a point-n-click, IM, email world!

Josh

PS. I am not a Shinn expert, by any means! But the more I work with my wheels/brakes, the more I think that it's important to tailor parts to wheels; that is, brake shoes need to be fit to wheels and linings also need to be custom fit. I think mass-production was a little more vague as a concept in the Shinn factory.

[mulwyk]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

Richard:
I've only ordered from Skybound twice. The first time the order arrived in Aircraft-Spruce-like time, about 10 days. The next time I ordered some parts from them it took almost a month. I don't know why. But I'm willing to accept the time delay in exchange for having those antique brake parts.

And Josh, what an interesting, thoughtful post. You're right, it took me several hours with a die grinder and needle files to get my brakes working right. And looking at them this morning I can see even more opportunities to tinker. It reminds me of a photograph I saw of a watch factory in the 1920's...hundreds of men in white shirts and ties at little work benches assembling watches, (skilled men, no doubt). The parts were mass produced but then were custom fit into the individual watch.

[N74DV]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

it took us nearly 5 months and in the end we never did get good parts. First they sent parts of very poor quality and would not fit. We sent them back. Got parts weeks later that were the same poor quality and still did not fit. We did this 4 times. Finally we decided to make the parts ourselves. it took us less than 3 hours to make the parts and they were perfect quality and fit great. Lesson learned.

[flyguy]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

RE Shin Brakes, and therefore Skybound parts: Rather like the talking dog where it is not surprising that he talks poorly, but rather that he talks at all. Did I paraphrase that even close to correctly?
DC

[Pearson]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

It has been two weeks since I ordered my parts, and one week since Madalyn said she shipped them. And they still aren't here. I am disappointed to say the least.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

Although I have never had bad service from them, I sent them roughly 25-30 shoe cores with the understanding I would get 4 sets back relined for my own needs. Well that was almost 2 years ago. they use to also send customers my way for Shinn parts they did not have, bit have not had those calls either. not sure what is going on over there. They are also the only supplier I know of for Bodell brakes.

[Pearson]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

I just called Madalyn this morning. It went to voice mail. I left a message asking her to track down the shipment. We will see.

It is a shame someone can't find a wholesale type resource for these parts and start a little side business, like John Cooper is doing with the yoke hubs. I would much rather patronize someone here on the forum than Skybound.

[bashibazouk]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

The kicker here is that the shoes are mostly worn pretty thin on the 40's vintage machines. Worse still is that the part is pretty damned simple. A nice, curved piece of steel with two little fittings riveted on. These are the kickers. I can make curved pieces all day with my home-made roll mill. I'm not sure how best to reproduce the bit that rests against the adjusting wedges or the other side that sits on the opposite side. Seems like the originals were maybe stamped-- a CNC'd piece might work made out of solid stock? I don't relish the idea of cutting out blanks and bashing them into shape by hand. We have machines for that.

NC74DV's story is a sad one, but proves my point: It would be almost impossible to decide where to put the pressed fittings without having a wheel with linings in it to measure against since the adjustment from no brake to fully bound (or can't get the #**^ing thing in the wheel) is relatively minute. .05 either way and --no workie--

I hate the thought that Ragwing Nut sent a pile of cores in and didn't get anything back. That's no way to run a railroad. 'Specially not if he sent in that quantity!!

We can figure this out, gang. It's been a little quiet on the Wag-Aero front, but I guess it IS fly-in season. (Easy to forget that when I'm working weekends!) Any thoughts on mass-producing the shoe-end bits are welcome.

Josh
Winterville, NC (NC47)
NC24369

[bashibazouk]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

RE Shin Brakes, and therefore Skybound parts: Rather like the talking dog where it is not surprising that he talks poorly, but rather that he talks at all. Did I paraphrase that even close to correctly?
DC

Squirrel!! (You need to go see the movie "Up" to get that)

Yup. I think you paraphrased it perfectly.

Josh

[Pearson]

Re: Skybound Brake Parts

Josh,

I asked Skybound about new shoes. They said they would need my old ones because they didn't make the clips that go on each end. So basically they are just replacing the curved part.

I guess they are closed on Fridays because Madalyn never called me back and no one answered when I called them again that afternoon.