Decot Model 12 Red Arrow Restoration

[jerrylovessirens]

Made the leg shims. Mr. Decot would pour babbit inbetween as a custom shim. Not having the tools or equipment to cast babbit, I merely cut and ground some 1/8 flat stock till the legs fit plumb.

With the legs mounted straight. I could then begin the construction of the motor mount plate and torsion braces

[jerrylovessirens]

Got the motor mount plate fully installed.

Had to level the legs off first by grinding the shims to a slight taper to achieve plumb. A carpenters square was used to get me on the money.

After the motor was aligned and bolted down, I began work on the torsion arms. With some 1/4 in plate and my oxy/acet. Kit I was able to achieve perfection on the first arm. The second arm proved much more difficult to get the right bend lengths and angles.
Once both arms are cut, bent, and secured, I will bend up a connector plate that will bind the two together by welding. Trying to bend up a one piece ring proved to be a difficult process with the crude tools I have

I am trying to eliminate as much welding as possible, To make the design both sleeker and stronger; and also to increase field serviceability. Good grade 8 hardware will be used throughout.

I closed up the shop today, hoping to get a fresher look at it the next few days.

[flatlandsparky]

What a great project you've landed! Did it come with a shroud?

[jerrylovessirens]

The shroud was very rusted and in bad shape when it was removed in the 1970s. It's been long gone. I will more than likely make a Decot "hat" style shroud at some point. The hat style is the basket without the louvered sides.

[jerrylovessirens]

I was feeling uneasy about leaving the short OEM Decot key on the chopper shaft. All I need is to wipe out the keyway on the shaft the first time I fire it up! I pulled the lovejoy off again, installed a new full length key, and then reinstalled the couplers. I then reinstalled all the legs and finished making the torsion brackets.

[jerrylovessirens]

After I got the final parts of the torsion brackets installed, I then fully bolted everything up and flipped the decot back upright and looked at my work. What a simple machine this is! Here is how it will sit for Sirencon. Ready to test. One of my farmer buddies has 240 3ph, so may sneak over Memorial Day weekend to test it out quick. We will see!

[CanadianTbolt1003]

Nice job! can't wait to see this and the B&N MD at SirenCon!