Inside Frank's Cranks, part 1

Frank Ford -

I've been making these string winders for a few years now, and here at the shop they've been a point of conversation over their various features and styles.  Once folks find out that I actually do all the operations myself, the most popular question is, "How do you make the eighty-three degree angle on the handle?"

So, just for fun, I thought I'd post some photos of the process.

After I drill the 1/2" brass ball to accept the 1/4" diameter aluminum crank arm, I apply a small drop of a special Loctite retaining compound.  This anaerobic adhesive is catalyzed in the presence of metal, and in this application, achieves about the same strength as an interference, or press-fit:



And I insert the rod into the hole, where the green compound will lock it permanently in place within a few seconds:



Then it's over to my tiny Rusnok milling machine to drill the ball for that 83-degree handle bearing.  In order to achieve repetitive alignment, I've milled a pair of "soft jaws" in the mill vise to hold the rod and ball assembly with rigidity and precision in a cavity that exactly matches its profile:



 

New for 2018 - Matched Sets of Acrylic Handle Cranks!

 

Then, a vertical drilling operation gives me that angle automatically:



 

Another drop of that magic green fluid secures the 3/16" diameter steel bearing:



 

Here's a cutaway view of the final assembly - note that the smaller rod is drilled through both the ball and the larger rod, making the joint incredibly solid and secure:



 

Once the arm is assembled, I can hold it in my special little fixture that keeps it aligned while I whack it with a steel stamp:



 

None genuine without this brand:



 

 



New for 2018 - Figured Koa Handle Cranks!

 

 

Coming soon - Part 2 - The Crank Handle Bearing