Simple tool to help teach folks to drive a Model T safely

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Simple tool to help teach folks to drive a Model T safely
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 07:36 am:

OK tell me how many folks have thought about this already !

This is a little simple tool I made to help teach folks and kids to drive a Model T. The biggest problem I saw was that most folks are nor skilled at driving a clutch (or have NEVER driven a clutch) They forget and let the left pedal snap back at low speeds or the wrong time stalling the engine and potentially damaging the car.

I just place this block of wood 3.5 inches long in the groove ahead of the parking brake. This prevents the parking brake from moving forward past the vertical neutral position. This allows only the use of low speed until they get comfortable or just let them drive around the neighborhood in low speed low rpm and they have fun especially the kids


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyrone Thomas - Topeka KS on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 10:19 am:

Great idea. Wish my dad had that device when I learned to drive a T. The feeling of wanting to push in a clutch is overwhelming.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Bishop, San Diego on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 01:15 pm:

David,
I've been trying to get ahold of you since you came to California, both thru your private e-mail and thru the Forum, but with no success. Has your e-mail address changed?

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Barker - Dayton, OH on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 01:34 pm:

David - I've seen other threads here that have used such a block. Handy to have during parades especially.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 02:08 pm:

Well I thought of it but I was certain someone in the last 100 years had the same idea. Simple, easy to make and it works


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 02:42 pm:

There's a little "side business" for someone! I'll bet Lang's could sell them, huh?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 02:45 pm:

There's a little "side business" for someone! I'll bet Lang's could sell them, huh?

Good post David,....we've all discussed getting "youth" into the hobby, and a big part of that is teaching kids to drive a "T" to "get 'em hooked", and I think your device would help!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Memmelaar Jr on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 02:58 pm:

Used it this weekend! Great Idea!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtijwV_imXU&feature=youtu.be

Olivia is almost 12 and this is the progress she has made on the car she won last year from Tom Rootlieb. its a temporary engine for now as she wanted to drive it before the winter came.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jem Bowkett on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 05:22 pm:

We used this idea years ago in the movies, to let actors drive a T in and out of shot without destroying the set. I called it the Safe-T Block. Always have one lying around by the handbrake, slip it in when out of the car with the motor running...ever seen a T take off when the handbrake spring fails?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike conrad on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 05:29 pm:

Well
Henry Ford already thought of this when he made the ratcheting spring loaded handbrake lever. If all components of it are in good working order there is no need for this gimmick. If the ratchet does not do it's job it can very dangerous. On a very serious side note what insurance company would sign off on this or a 11 year old driving.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenneth W DeLong on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 05:58 pm:

15 or twenty years ago Reid Welch advocated using a heavy door hinge you could stop the lever one way or free axcess the other way!! It would look much better than ??? Bud.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 06:01 pm:

Well Mike I agree the hand brake SHOULD hold. BUT I have had people bump them etc. As for letting kids drive around the fields, and our quiet neighborhood with me ready to turn off the key quickly and my left hand ready to help them guide the wheel, well yes, I take that risk. I also let kids fly my aircraft to get them hooked there to. Sometimes, no All the time now we need to worry about some lawyer taking everything we have worked for but I guess I am just to easy going I did let a young lad age 14 drive on the back gravel roads of Indiana on last years Covered Bride Tour - illegal ? Yes Fun VERY yes


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 06:02 pm:

Kenneth that would look nicer


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 06:05 pm:

Hi Mike - Not trying to argue here, but I don't really think this device is a "gimmick". For someone who has never driven a Model T, there are a lot of confusing things to think about all at once initially. You of all people would know more about this than me Mike, as you have been doing some Model T "new driver" teaching at the Lemay museum. However, if you think about it, until the "first-timer" (who is nervous & confused) gets the "feel" of setting the hand brake and finding "neutral", the blocking device prevents the student from letting the emergency brake handle too far forward accidently and killing the engine accordingly, which adds to his nervousness and confusion! And think about something else,....there can be MORE confusion due to different Model T's having a different "feel" in regard to the hand brake and exactly where the neutral position is. You and I can adapt to this difference very quickly as experienced "T" guys. But a new guy could be confused when one car has the neutral position with the emergency brake lever perfectly vertical, while his next drive might be in a car with the hand brake lever further forward or back from vertical. And, some cars have a very good neutral (easy to find) and as we know, some have a very poor neutral that is much harder (especially for the new guy) to find! Just my thoughts,.....which might be a little weird, but I'm probably not going to change my mind,....ha, ha,.....and I think this device has it's place,....FWIW,.......harold


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 06:08 pm:

David - You type faster than me!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Kriegel Mishawaka Indiana on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 06:29 pm:

My Dad let me sit on his lap to drive a tractor or his car probably age 6 or 7 ? I let my kids drive in very light traveled areas probably age 10-12 .

Kids have flown my planes while I pretend to look around and even sleep (not) It builds there confidence, ability and self worth that you trust them plus gets them hooked


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Memmelaar Jr on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 07:23 pm:

Instead of worrying that my daughter might make a mistake while driving, I sat back and watched. Her grandma and grandpa took rides, and all had a good time. Gimmick?? Whatever.... fun had by all, heck yes


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 08:26 pm:

I use a block like that for parades so I am share to stay out of high gear. I also use it when I let a novice drive the T


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wes Nelson ........Bucyrus, MO on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 08:57 pm:

I downloaded this picture from this forum and I apologize for not remembering who the fellow was that did it, I think it is neat, clean and very functional.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Clipner-Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 10:43 pm:

Dad did something like that with a hinge and saw something similar made up by Aaron Griffey on one of his builds. Would help with leg fatigue in parades.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike conrad on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 11:34 pm:

Whatever is right. If someone learns to drive by me it will be the proper way and they will know all aspects of the car and all the functions of the car too, high gear included. Yes teaching some people to drive a t can be difficult , But we practice and practice till they have it down. Learning how to use the hand brake lever is all part of the learning process. At the end of the day they do not fear high gear because they understand it and respect it. I will not let a student driver behind the wheel of a car with known issues. If it can not stay in neutral or its spring won't hold. I FIX IT. Can't believe I'm the only one here to see that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 11:59 pm:

I AM INSTALLING ONE OR THE OTHER THIS WEEK END.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P Noonan on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 12:00 am:

Mike, i think you're taking this thread more personally than you should. This idea is simply a safety against the car going into high gear when not wanted or expected, rather than an excuse not to learn how to use all the gears properly. Of course this is just my simple opinion.

(Message edited by Jp_noonan on October 02, 2014)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike_black on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 12:08 am:

I have a worn quadrant on my "main" driver. I've got the parts, just haven't got around to it, so, until then, I use a block with baling twine tied to it with the other end around the cowl light. It's aggrevating when backing up in a tight situation and the brake lever slips forward. So, I'll use the block until I can fix it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike conrad on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 12:28 am:

John
Well said. You are right.
My opinion is not worth upsetting anyone or their projects.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John P Noonan on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 12:49 am:

Mike Conrad, your opinion is just as important to this forum as anyone else, differing ideas and opinions make a free forum stronger, not weaker. And don't worry about upsetting people here, i do it all the time and have found them to be very forgiving.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt Berdan, Bellevue, WA on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 09:27 am:

Mike,

To each his own with their own cars but I completely agree with you that the hand brake lever should be repaired to work as designed rather than using a crutch. Further, it's best to fix it before teaching someone to drive with a faulty one (with a crutch or not).

Walt


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 09:36 am:

As soon as I write the checks to pay the bills, I am going out to the garage and make two of these
beauties. Thanks Tyrone for this.

John

RTFM = Read The Ford Manuals


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 09:36 am:

If you have a good pawl and quadrant, what's the point?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 09:37 am:

Excuse me, I meant to say Thanks David.


John


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 11:09 am:

That would be a good tool to use when driving in a parade. In a parade, you use low and if you have Ruckstell use both Ruckstell and low pedal. You keep the car going as slow as the parade moves. That means letting the car coast with the engine idling and occasionally punching the low pedal or the brake depending on whether you want to speed up or slow down. That tool would keep it from accidentally going into high and you could rest your left leg.
Norm


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