Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

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aDave
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First Name: David
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Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

Post by aDave » Mon Apr 18, 2022 5:37 pm

Well, it had to happen.
After 100 or so years, the accumulated oil and other lubricant finally grew in enough volume - sticky and hard volume at that- and seized the "cable" - actually, a very tightly wound spring,causing the spring (cable) to break.'
I know Lang's sells a Stewart cable....but this is a Jones.
My thought is to clean up all the gunk, grease, and other solidified material, and bring it to the local creative welding shop and see if a craftsman there can insert a fine, but tough piece if wire inside the spring for support and then braze or weld, or somehow permanently attach the ends of the spring so that I can once again have a working old, but nit quite accurate speedo.

This is NOT a "chain" cable, but a tightly wound spring...similar to a spring on a tubing bender, but even thinner than a wooden pencil, as it is encased inside material similar to the old BX electrical cable.

My questions...has anyone else successfully repaired a broken cable (spring), and if so how?

Second question...in the event a repair does not work, does anyone know where I can buy a replacement cable?

Many thanks,
Dave - happy custodian of a 1915 Touring - T , of course


KimDobbins
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Re: Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

Post by KimDobbins » Mon Apr 18, 2022 5:44 pm

Dave, please post a picture of both cable ends and the total length. I may have an inner sable that will work.

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aDave
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Re: Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

Post by aDave » Mon Apr 18, 2022 5:49 pm

Thanks Kim,
The cable is presently in the machine shop being washed...I should get it back late tomorrow or early WEDNESDAY....did not have the heart to bring it to my friend that has a parts washer....I figured that I would owe him a gallon of solvent, so I bit the bullet and will pay the machine shop to clean it.
I will post a picture when I get it returned.

Dave

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Topic author
aDave
Posts: 351
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:21 am
First Name: David
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Re: Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

Post by aDave » Mon Apr 18, 2022 6:02 pm

In the meantime,

Pictures (I hope) of the receiving end of the Speedo...

Thanks again Kim,

More later
Attachments
Model T Speedo 2.jpeg


Original Smith
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Re: Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

Post by Original Smith » Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:16 am

All five of the speedometers offered in 1915 used the same inner cable.


Russ_Furstnow
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Re: Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

Post by Russ_Furstnow » Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:50 am

David, If you cannot find a cable, I can repair yours. Russ Furstnow

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Topic author
aDave
Posts: 351
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:21 am
First Name: David
Last Name: Dufault
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915
Location: Concord New Hampshire
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Re: Jones Speedometer "cable" broke

Post by aDave » Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:55 pm

Thanks everyone!
Kim= long slender end picture attached. if you have a replacement, let me know details
Cable (wound spring) is 55" end to end.
I will try attaching other pictures.'
Russ = thank you...I would like to send the cable to you for repair. I'd like to get the process started in case what I need turns out to be one of those "unobtanium" items. Would you please send me your address?

DAve
Attachments
Speedo Jones cable head end.jpeg
Speedo Jones wheel end.jpeg

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