gummirat

Hi All, Firestone made them. They are gone as of about 2000. Bridgestone didn't want to continue mechanical goods so molds, prints etc. are gone. I've been trying for 4yrs to get prints, measurements to make the mold. I have a rubber formula that should work well for this (a modified tank pad rubber). Was trying to get Clarence M-20 doc to get me the dimensions off the o.e.m. ones he had but they run him off. Kevin Harburg has been a huge help on this so far and hope he hasn't lost faith in getting this done as I am probably going to need more of his input. Going to try to do it thru the FAA Varma program Mark

Happy Thanksgiving all, still hopeful. Mark

Hi All, here are the dimensions I need. these were taken from Kevins old part that was approx.40yrs old. Hope the pdf opens. Mount (2).pdf

Hi Thomas 1142, no these are for the mite sorry. If I can't get some unused dimensions this project it is dead in the water. Mark

Hey Kevin, still no response from the Smithsonian?

Hey Kevin Harberg, hear anything on the prints? Mark

Hi Kevin, here's to hope (fingers crossed). When I get it I 'll proceed to FSDO for approval. I hope there is enough interest to pull this off. Mark

Hi Bolter, Thanks for the offer, it's appreciated. I have an optical comparator available and the software to make the print. The issue is m-20 doc has the last 6 parts on earth and does not want to loan them out (understandable, with cost and no availability). I can have it measured and a print made in about a week (takes some time to sneak in between the regular production) mold will be about 6wks. and how ever long for approval.

Hey Kevin Harberg, any luck with the prints? Thanks Mark

Hi Ardvark 111, Thanks for the interest. this is how I want to proceed (VARMA) but I need a print, original or from a NOS part before I contact FSDO. there are only 6 NOS left that I know of. My machine shop owes me a favor so i can get it on the optical comparator and a print made cheap. I don't want to get rich just my cost and beer money. Mark

Hi Kevin, Thanks for doing that. I believe you are right it's proprietary to Firestone and they are gone, prints mold and all. Without a part to measure we are dead in the water. I don't believe IA/AP will install a part on someone's SWAG on how it should be and I don't blame them. As soon as the last part is installed it goes from a NOS to a used part and will be hard to sell those measurements to the powers that be. Mark

Turbo, no Lord hasn't done anything to me. They are a good company with the resources to do the job. I manufacture rubber parts and also consult and design. The m-18 parts are a better fit for me (Low volume, simple design). I have worked in the rubber industry for 45yrs. and 13 on my own. i work with a PMA holder on some parts so I know a little about that process. Yes, I know the tooling is expensive and certification also, hence the 2nd thoughts before doing a m-20 project.

Hi Alexz, The manufacturing process is the same. To do it would require PMA approval. Not impossible but another hurtle. Going up against Lord is like David(OMC R&D) and Goliath(Lord) if Goliath was 5ft taller and David a dwarf with one arm and arthritis. I have been trying to get this project going for 3yrs and it seems like herding cats. Mark

Hi All ,had a lab batch of the compound made and tested, 4300 lb tensile,600% elongation comp set 18% great numbers eh carusoam. m20doc any luck on the measurements? Kevin any luck on the print? I'm into this just south of 1k would like to see the interest or did I waste the money? Mark

Hi Kevin, I tried to find them on the site you posted and didn't find anything ( not saying much, I'm not a wiz at computers). If you can come up with the drawing that would put this project in getter done mode, I would proceed with the mold and certification process. Thanks Mark

Hi All, got the test reports back and it is a SBR rubber with a high filler loading. The one I will use is a natural rubber that should give better resilience and compression set properties. I really need get the dimensions to build the mold. I need to prove the new print is based on the old print or nos part for certification.

Hi Kevin, not at this time, m-20 doc is supposed to get me some numbers on the measurements so we will see how that works. I'm having a tga and a ftir ran on the compound to verify composition. Thanks for the offer. Mark

WOW Kevin are these things used! I got some dimensions of the metal washer and did a hardness test. 78a on the inside. need a picture of the metal side to see if is flat or a conical metal. Maybe M20 doc can get that and post it. Mark

Kevin, do i have your permission to cut one of the parts to do some more thorough testing?

A machine shop with and optical comparator or a cmm, like a cordax. the former is like an overhead projector and you take the measurements off the image, the other uses a probe to touch the part at several points and take the measurement. my mold maker has a optical comparator he can load into a cad program and make the print. you can call me to discuss. Thanks Mark

Hi all, yes, I got the message. and have replied to Kevin. Wil keep you all posted on progress Thanks Mark

Hello all, Hope you had a good holiday. I have been trying to get a print of these parts to make a mold to make the shock disks for you guys. No print no mold. I don't understand why the reluctance to do this if they are needed. This is not the kind of project that will let me retire to some place sunny and warm. Mark

Hello all, ............Hello, anybody here?

Hi All, I need a print with all dimensions including radii and a part to dissect for polymer id and cloth type ( not a usable one, it will be cut up.) to get this thing kicked off. carusoam: dm sent

Hi All hope you had a good holiday. Carusoam: I do prototype and small runs of parts that the larger companies don't want to do. I also consult and design. No web site just word of mouth. I work with a PMA holder on some seals and diaphragms. I also do seals for the chemical and off road market. Takair: will send dm with contact information. Thanks Mark