KRW Combination Machine

Chris Haynes

Chris Haynes

Well-known member
I just rescued a KRW Combination Machine. Used to pour and size engine bearings. I will never use it so I guess restore it and have a nice display piece.
 
Rent it or sell it to somebody who can use it. Babbit mechanics/craftsmen are a rare breed and we should help ‘em stay in biz.
 
I am trying to find any information on this machine. Factory printed material would be great. I am going to clean it up and re-paint it.
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I was at Schwalm's a few months ago and was surprised how minimal the machines were. I was expecting something twice the size.
 
700rpm said:
Rent it or sell it to somebody who can use it. Babbit mechanics/craftsmen are a rare breed and we should help ‘em stay in biz.
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Gene F said:
#2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Ray/Gene, ... from my perspective, I think the issues with using these machines is that technology and craftsmanship expectations have surpassed these machines capabilities where a static display is about all they are good for.

Granted some machines have seen the bedplates modified to a boring bar with a cutter, but many of the bedplates were never properly lubed and so the Babbit around the bar is excessively worn to the point where making them bore accurately & cleanly is a real problem. Plus, most of the reamers are dull to the point where they need sharpening, What I have found is that finding a cylindrical grinder capable of sharpening a reamer that length is very difficult.

One other final bit about Babbitt craftsmen is, the ability to pour is where the talent is needed. Machining the casting not so much.
 
Yeah it is the know-how. I had a motor redone, and the machinist started doing it as a hobby when her retired. Then he found out he wasn't really retired because people were constantly brining him motors to redo. I was early 50s at the time, and thought hey maybe I can do this since I want out of corporate america, and he can teach me. Nope, he already presold his equipment to a close by machine shop. Guess what, all these years later I don't think they have done even one engine.
 
Gene F said:
Yeah it is the know-how. I had a motor redone, and the machinist started doing it as a hobby when her retired. Then he found out he wasn't really retired because people were constantly brining him motors to redo. I was early 50s at the time, and thought hey maybe I can do this since I want out of corporate america, and he can teach me. Nope, he already presold his equipment to a close by machine shop. Guess what, all these years later I don't think they have done even one engine.
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That is likely. It is likely because that machine shop realized that rebuilding Model-T/A/B engines is not as profitable as doing other tasks in their machine shop.

In my own shop where we do all facets of the restoration in-house (i.e.: paint & bodywork, sheetmetal fabrication, wood work, upholstery, machining, etc.), the least profitable area of my entire shop is my Machine Shop. The reason is because of the cost of the tooling it takes to do quality work. If someone were to go purchase good quality machines (-not brand new but not worn-out machines either) to do the entire process in-house, they will easily have in excess of $150k. Compare that to the start-up costs of an upholstery shop, -or a wood shop, -or a body shop. All of these other disciplines can have start-up costs of less than ½ that amount ...and what makes it even more difficult those other areas can even charge more per manhour for their work when compared to machining. The main two reasons why we have an in-house machine shop is so I can keep my finger on QC, and because I was able to buy the tooling with the profits from the other areas of my shop.
 
Thanks Brent. I’ll bow to your wisdom and experience. Reality is tough, though. What will happen to Model A’s & T’s when no one comes up with the skills, tools, and materials to pour babbit bearings? Will the cars themselves become static displays? No more rebuilt as original babbit engines? It won’t affect me. I’m pushing 80 and won’t be around much longer.
 
Ray
The Babbitt talent is already on the decline unfortunately
Inserting the motor is already done with good success and now the Burtz motor is available

But you do have a point as new people don’t rebuild or repair themselves and rely on restoration specialists
 
You can call Tim McMaster who has his own machine shop in the central valley -Fresno I think. But you can find him on the web as 'the Y-block guy' he does some A engines but I don't know how much.

Mike
 
1930artdeco said:
You can call Tim McMaster who has his own machine shop in the central valley -Fresno I think. But you can find him on the web as 'the Y-block guy' he does some A engines but I don't know how much.

Mike
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Tim McMaster is at Hanford Auto Supply, Hanford, CA (559) 584-4487 and has built several of the "New Engines" including the 2 that were incorrectly measured almost 2 years ago.
 
Yes, the inserts will eventually be the best and/or only option for keeping our cars running. When my coupe needed a rebuild, it was early in the insert era. I was fortunate to have access to one the best babbit guys in Oregon. He stopped building shortly after that. Both my A’s are babbit, and I expect they’ll out-last me.
 
Literature about the KRW Combination machine can be found in the last one or two issues of the Model T Ford service bulletins.
 
kaleborgill said:
Is your KRW available?
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There is a gentleman on Facebook Marketplace in Scarborough ME who is selling Dad's "Model A restoration business."

Dad was ingenious, no doubt - with many "home-brew" machines used in his rebuilding work on Model A Fords. Boring, rebabbitting, crank grinding all seem to have been within his capability.

Son is looking to sell the entire business, machines/inventory/stock for $10K. It's probably worth it IF you want to set yourself up. There are lots of "parts" which he initially was selling "piecemeal" - but now the modus seems to be to sell the whole thing "en-masse."

I'll give a picture and leave it for others to generate their own link to this.

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Joe K
 
stevests said:
Those are T wheels.
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That is true. Dad apparently didn't limit himself to the Model A.

It is the picture that "leads" on the Facebook Marketplace search "Model A parts" which is why I left it rather than direct link (lest I be accused of some vested or other interest. )

Other than preserving something that should be preserved.

One thinks of the 28 RPU my father bought in 1940 for $25 from the Junkman. And sold it back to him in 1942 - for $25. "Best buy in an automobile I ever had in my life."

The son is experiencing what probably all of us or our families will be eventually experiencing. "What to do with all that Model A stuff."

I am amazed by the quantity of "loose parts" that still turn up. And my son's relative lack of interest.

Joe K
 
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