Wayne0 444 #1 Posted March 5, 2023 (edited) So, I found out I need a new chain tensioner on my blower. Looked it up (PN 957699) and almost fell out of my chair! $83 and change. Said to myself' "I can make that". End grain will be the wear surface. (original was wood btw) Easy, peasy! I did it, and it works perfectly and when it wears out I'll just make another. This is VERY hard wood. Edited March 5, 2023 by Wayne0 4 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #2 Posted March 5, 2023 @Wayne0 like the improvement try / idea , often think if an added idler pulley set up on a similar unsupported chain bounce spot . pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,296 #3 Posted March 5, 2023 Did a machine for an Automotive OEM near the Manchester Airport back in the 1990's. A large conveyor loop, had to transport HOT - live steam hot, 150 lb molds in and out of the oven... Conventional plastic glides would not work... They told us to use a wood material called Arguto - knot free hard maple that was impregnated with parafin. It was a stable material - cut and formed like aluminum bars. It performed like ice under a skater - the parafin melted under the pressure, then re-solidified immediately - stuff wears like iron....... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
c-series don 8,677 #4 Posted March 5, 2023 I did the same thing with my blower, I used epay or mahogany I can’t remember which? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,812 #5 Posted March 5, 2023 37 minutes ago, c-series don said: epay or fancy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #6 Posted March 5, 2023 @ri702bill like that addapation to a problem , sounded like a call in to me , old school , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 444 #7 Posted March 5, 2023 4 hours ago, peter lena said: @Wayne0 like the improvement try / idea , often think if an added idler pulley set up on a similar unsupported chain bounce spot . pete Pete, that makes TOO much sense! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 444 #8 Posted March 5, 2023 BTW, the chain was junk too. Listed as "unavailable". It's just a piece of #40 roller chain. The original has no connecting link. It does now! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #9 Posted March 5, 2023 @Wayne0 , also like a open gear cable / chain spray / lubricant , did a lot of experimenting on my single stage blower , was so solid , smooth to movement reaction , spin up by hand was very easy ., did everything that was not in the book, pto lever engagement , was quiet smooth , no screaming clutch just me , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,651 #10 Posted March 8, 2023 I have had Doigwood rollers on my 48" deck since 1989. Only had to replace two and that's because they came off and I backed over them . After turning them I soaked them in oil and added brass bushing iI 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,589 #11 Posted March 8, 2023 @Lee1977 also like steering HEIM JOINTS, tried them of number of linkage connection experiments , issue just goes away . add lubrication to that area , and its a complete opposite to original clunky function , pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 444 #12 Posted March 9, 2023 Kinda' off topic, but I used to rebuild paper folding machines. The bushings for the rollers were wood and had to be reamed to size after being pressed into the housings. With regular oiling, they would last over 20 years! Wood ain't bad! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
