TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:14 am

I'm making a limited run of split-window bug hand starting cranks. After paying $350+ for a hand crank for my '59 ambulance (1959 is a one-year-only crank), I thought there might be a market for them.

Let me reiterate that I am only making a limited run of these. The "engineering" phase of this project was fun, but I don't want to spend a ton of time in the "production" phase, because that becomes un-fun fairly quickly.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:16 am

VERY nice!!

=D> =D>

Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:18 pm

very nice indeed
i have never even held one the little cap on the end is pressed on so it can turn i gather?

nice work

Tue Feb 23, 2010 5:13 am

I have a nos hand crank with pin on tip. I also have a matching crank shaft screw. Where that might belong to?

Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:01 am

virtanen wrote: I have a nos hand crank with pin on tip. I also have a matching crank shaft screw. Where that might belong to?

Your crank handle with the pin and crank nut with a hole in the center is likely from an industrial engine. I am not positive, but later military 181 cars may have used these items as well.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:48 pm

Very nice Thom!

Is it true that the crank for the bug is different from the bus? One is shorter than the other, but I forgot which. The reason why I asked is because you mentioned that you purchased one for your '59 Ambulance (Bus). Did you use those dimensions for your reproductions?

Can someone out there enlighten/educate us? Maybe post some dimensions, etc.

Mahalos!

Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:54 pm

Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:59 pm

Looks great Thom. Nice job.

Tue Feb 23, 2010 9:31 pm

Thanks guys!

Someone requested this comparison, so I'm posting it here:

Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:17 pm

A few people had e-mailed me about specifications for the bumper bracket. I figured I would post here since it seemed to be related. I got this bracket with my '50 and media blasted it, it was obviously repaired at one time with brass, probably the top part had snapped off.

The bolt holes are pressed to give a recess for the heads.

Don't have the time to do a drawing with dimensions, so here they are in text. All measurements in MM

Overall width: 49.50
Height of vertical section with keyhole: 38.80

Width of keyhole: 39.70
Diameter of round portion of keyhole: 23.20
Height of keyhole horizontal sections: 11.50

Height of bumper section: 28.20

Thickness of steel: 2.15

I didn't measure the holes, but looking at them I'd bet they are M6.

Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:50 pm

John , Once again , many thanks for your time and help , and as luck would have it , thanks to ebay , my " toy fund " is back up to " working capital " . I'd like to get the crank handle that you listed , if it's still available , to complete the " ensemble " . Gene

Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:24 am

John, Could you make bumper bracket :o available 49/50

Original Handle Split window 46/50
Thom for you :arrow:

Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:30 am

:roll:

Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:28 am

I will make a CAD drawing and get a quote for the bracket. But they may be expensive as I can't really justify any large volumes. The place that does laser cutting for me scales the prices by quantity. But it is a pretty simple part, so let me see what they come up with...

Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:01 am

the bumper i got has a crank bracket. the bumper was almost nos, even the sticker was on it. the bracket was attached to the bumper with kamax bolts, so i'm guessing it's original. chrome on one side, silver paint on the other. it is not the same pressing like John's .. so maybe we can do a comparison?

if you need pics i keep the bumper my bedroom.. :oops: i can post them fairly easy

Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:11 am

eurodub wrote: the bumper i got has a crank bracket. the bumper was almost nos, even the sticker was on it. the bracket was attached to the bumper with kamax bolts, so i'm guessing it's original. chrome on one side, silver paint on the other. it is not the same pressing like John's .. so maybe we can do a comparison?

if you need pics i keep the bumper my bedroom.. :oops: i can post them fairly easy

I'd like to see your bracket if you can take a pic. Maybe compare the measurements also. The one i have doesn't look homemade given the bolt hole pressings. I'm sure VW went through several designs. And cranks starts were sold into the 60 in some areas I believe. I do wonder if the contour/shape of the bottom part would be specific to the split ribbed bumper however.

The bumper on my '50 still has a piece of its part number sticker on the backside also. I could never bear to drill holes in it to attach this bracket!

Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:41 pm

ok, took the pics. not perfect, but you get the idea. there is a significant difference between what John posted and what i have. mine looks almost as home made... but since the paint is the same.. and it's chromed.. i don't know

some approximate measurements (plate is a bit bent as you may see)

bolt is M6, Kamax, looks nos, new etc. also a twisted/bent steel washer, and the nut in golden hue.

front chromed, back chromed but painted over just like the back of the bumper. same shade same paint.

Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:03 pm

Chrome finish notwithstanding, that indeed looks homemade.

Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:23 pm

100% No original VW :shock:

Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:35 pm

This looks simple enough, I would just need to figure out how to make the rings. Some measurements would be helpful.