Earlier this month I posted about replacing tools and equipment that you once had but life circumstances caused you to part ways. Over time I replaced essential things: welders, lathe, drill press, hydraulic press, etc. But there are always one or two things, perhaps seldom used, but much enjoyed when needed. The previous post covered finally getting a distributor machine. I happen to like Buick 45 fin brake drums. I was first exposed to them at the local circle track when they became popular in the '60s. Over the past 20-25 years I have managed to get several very nice sets that legimately measure in the 12.020-12.030" range. So they have at least one, perhaps two turning before making out at 12.060". It took buying and selling to get them. I have a 13X40 lathe. However you need a 16" swing lathe to machine the Buick drums. Service shops, for many reasons, just install new parts. If they have a brake lathe sitting off in a corner collecting dust they no longer have anyone that knows how to run it. I do have friends with bigger lathes, but they also usually busy running their job shop business. And I can be a fussy customer. So, for a long time I wanted a brake lathe. The last piece of my missing empire. I recently decided that I deserved an early Christmas present for myself. I fould an Ammco 4000 brake lathe with a Rels speed controller. I am now at the point I have no lingering tooling wants and it time to get back to seriously working on the roadster!
I have a set-up to machine them. I usually get the drum within .004 of center. No rebalancing required. I machine the center out to 4.000 and trim the lining back up so the backing plate can position the shoes fully in the lining.
You are absolutely correct! I have looked for a long time and have not come across one, so I have almost given up on the idea. But sometimes things show up when you least expect them.
My thought exactly. plus that unit can generate pretty decent income as a sideline once local guys know you have it if you want to turn drums and rotors.
A buddy of mine had one and used it a couple of times and finally gave it to a friend with a machine shop who never used it. But after a couple of years tried to give it back my buddy said he didn’t want it back so they sold it. Turns out everyone just buys new now days.
As soon as I can get some things moved around I’d like to get one too. I live in a pretty big city and finding someone that turns drums and rotors is getting pretty difficult
Looks like a beautifully well-kept machine. I personally don't want a brake lathe as much as I want to know someone nearby who has one and knows how to run it.
This isn’t mine but it’s the same . Van Norman heavy duty drum/rotor lathe with all the hub and bearing adapters , small and large diameter shafts and a ton of bits and tooling , bought it 2 years ago for $500 bucks !!! use it almost daily at work , up until I bought one we where paying $350 bucks to have a set of drums machined at our local machine shop . No one in my area machines drums or rotors anymore , still have my eye out for a shoe arching machine . Fresh turned drums I do a 0.004 pass at high speed high feed then a 0.002 pass at low speed slow feed and you get a perfect finish on the drums , if I could arch the shoes you would have a perfect brake job !!! love the squee squee squee squeeeeeeee of a drum being turned !
My friend ran a repair shop, until about 5 years ago. He sold it, and retired. I used to be able to use the brake and tire machines, whenever I needed. Now, like you said, no one bothers with the upkeep of the brake machine, just replace rotors and drums.
The Jalopy Journal
