New studs for early wishbones?

[Dan Hatch]

Has anyone here ever put new studs ( the ones that go in the perches) on a early wishbone? I have some NOS ones that someone left the ends sticking in the dirt and they need new studs. Anyone ? Thanks, Dan.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Not exactly. I have never taken one of the early ones apart, however, I am fairly sure from working on several and looking closely at a few of them really close, that the end-piece is a forging shaped to go into the wishbone at an angle with the front stud angled straight forward. I have managed to weld up a couple on the threaded stud that weren't too badly rusted or worn away.
Some years ago, when I needed and couldn't find a decent one for almost any price? I did make a couple pieces on my small lathe, heated and bent them. Then brazed (like the originals) it into a cut off later wishbone. Very careful measuring was required to get the size and fit just right. The nice thing about it? The later wishbones were made from heavier tubing, and slightly larger, although not enough to generally be noticed. So it looked good (only minor details off from the correct early style), and was more solid and therefore a bit less prone to the early style wishbone wiggle!

I wonder if it would be worthwhile to have cast steel pieces made to both replace badly damaged ends on originals or cut and place into slightly modified later wishbones? I am not a metallurgist, so do not know what type casting steel would be best. It would sure be nice to fix those NOS wishbones and use them!

[Henry K. Lee]

Dan,

I did a few years back, can be done. The trick is machining it out straight, making a sleeve style with a bevel, pinning and then brazing in place.

All the Best,

Hank in Tin-A-See

[Dan Hatch]

I will taking these to Chickasha for sale. Look me up there if anyone wants one. Thanks, Dan.