MTFCA Forum

I am relining the service brake on my 1906 Orient Buckboard runabout. All you forumeers grumbling about marginal Model T brakes take note: the Orient system utilizes one external band, a full inch in width, contracting around a massive 5" diameter drum on the left rear wheel.

I have a couple varieties of Model T woven lining on the shelf and would like to repurpose one of them for the Orient project. Photos below. The colourful linings at left have this handwritten note in the box: "Multicolour edges are old Montgomery Wards. Very (too?) thick"

My questions: First, are either of these linings a better choice for this application? And second, is there a better type of lining out there that will give superior performance?

Obviously, I hope to use something I have on hand but if there is a more effective lining available, safety trumps convenience and cost.

I would suggest that today's Kevlar linings would be far superior in that application due to greater tolerance to the heat/friction involved. The story i was told was the kevlar we use today was developed from an application in a glass bottle factory where freshly minted, hot glass bottles were conveyed along a production line after annealing.

Allan from down under.

I wouldn't go with the Model T lining. It's just cotton, and made to operate in an oil bath.

I know a lot of early car guys go with Green Gripper lining, https://www.thomasnet.com/catalogs/item ... materials/

It looks like the lining you already have there might be Kevlar. If you weren’t happy with its longevity, anything else you use would be far less satisfactory.

Hi Chris,
Try Chaffin's Garage they have Green gripper and other linings sold by the foot.
Craig.

Very familiar. I have a 28 Harley with the same brake. I use lining from McMaster car(same as 26-7 T parking brake) Its a woven brownish lining with brass wire reinforcement. Its the closest material available to period lining. The woven nature makes for better braking over the modern solid grey stuff used on R/M brakes today.

I would 2ed John's suggestion and check the MacMaster catalog. They sell a number of different sized linings with the brass wire woven in, which would be my choice.
How are you getting along in your search for chain? Yes, I read the post on AACA.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

I phoned around and found a supplier 2 miles from home that has Green Grabber in stock. I’m picking up the 15” I need after lunch. It could hardly have worked out better.

Mark, I found a source for that chain in the US. $1,375 for a 25’ box or $92 per foot cut to length. I need just under 10’. Decision time… buy new chains or gas up the Kia??

Ouch on the chain! Maybe re-gearing would be less costly?
https://forums.aaca.org/topic/375924-so ... nt-2344685

Chris,
If that doesn't work out I have rolls of various widths of hard brake band material.
I hope to be at the Red Deer swap meet and could bring some up to you if needed,
Harry

Harry Lillo wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 19, 2022 2:12 pm

If that doesn't work out I have rolls of various widths of hard brake band material.
I hope to be at the Red Deer swap meet and could bring some up to you if needed,

Thanks Harry, I appreciate the offer.

I think the lining install went OK. That Green Grabber is flexible but hardly pliable —I gradually compressed it around a former, hoping to let it settle into shape slowly and forestall a break in the weave.

I then glued the lining to the band with Gorilla Glue prior to countersinking brass rivets into the lining. Second photo shows the 1" leftover glued to a bit of steel bar as a test; there was no dislodging the lining from the sample steel after curing overnight.

There Is enough spring-back from the installed lining that an at-shoe return spring is not required.

That looks real good. I like the lining choice. The stuff I use has brass wires & is woven like yours.
Glue wasnt necessary. Bonding the linings is a modern thing.

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:16 pm

...Glue wasnt necessary. Bonding the linings is a modern thing.

Modern, yes, but also necessary for this application — there was a lot of spring-back from the lining and there is no way the rivets could have held it snug to the band. The brake drum is only 5" diameter and the lining was not happy with that much curvature.