Restoring a Tufnols and bronze winch

[peterhull]

I am restoring a chunky Tufnol winch. It must be about 50 years old but most of it is OK, the bronze pawl mechanism top amd bottom is particularly good I think.

A bottom part entirely made from Tufnol has broken but I think I can make another part from new Tufnol. The top pawl mechanisim has quite a lot of wear to the bronze fitting which has a square hole to engage the shaft square spigot at the top of the shaft. This is more problematical because it seems to be a combination of materials, , Tufnol, bronze and what look like plastic spacers.

I am reluctant to use stainless steel as replacement parts due the effects of galvanic corrosion. The other thing is that the bronze part is rivetted in with what look like bronze rivets.

has anyone been through this loop before and maybe give me some advice on restoration please

 

[Plum]

I am restoring a chunky Tufnol winch. It must be about 50 years old but most of it is OK, the bronze pawl mechanism top amd bottom is particularly good I think.

A bottom part entirely made from Tufnol has broken but I think I can make another part from new Tufnol. The top pawl mechanisim has quite a lot of wear to the bronze fitting which has a square hole to engage the shaft square spigot at the top of the shaft. This is more problematical because it seems to be a combination of materials, , Tufnol, bronze and what look like plastic spacers.

I am reluctant to use stainless steel as replacement parts due the effects of galvanic corrosion. The other thing is that the bronze part is rivetted in with what look like bronze rivets.

has anyone been through this loop before and maybe give me some advice on restoration please

I have not done one of those but if you can't get a piece of bronze to make a new plate with the square hole in it I would use stainless steel. Would not be too concerned about ggalvanic corrosion unless it was constantly submerged in salt water. You could replace the rivets with ss screws into tapped holes in the tufnol.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[peterhull]

I have not done one of those but if you can't get a piece of bronze to make a new plate with the square hole in it I would use stainless steel. Would not be too concerned about ggalvanic corrosion unless it was constantly submerged in salt water. You could replace the rivets with ss screws into tapped holes in the tufnol.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Ok thanks Plum that is useful info , thanks for spending the time a trouble replying. Stainless would be harder I guess and may wear less than bronze, although it may wear the square lug on the end of the shaft more maybe.

 

[Topcat47]

Classic marine stock a lot of Bronze odds and ends and will make custom parts, if given a set of drawings . They've been very helpful for many parts of my boat and 'though they have changed hands, I understand the new Management are every bit as helpful as the originals.

 

[Poignard]

The square hole in the bronze plate looks to be not so much worn as deformed.

I would anneal it and then carefully knock down the burrs in the corners of the hole with a smooth faced hammer so as to restore the original shape; re-annealing as required.

 

[peterhull]

Classic marine stock a lot of Bronze odds and ends and will make custom parts, if given a set of drawings . They've been very helpful for many parts of my boat and 'though they have changed hands, I understand the new Management are every bit as helpful as the originals.

thanks Topcat , will follow that up many thanks for taking the time and to reply. I don't what Classic Marine would charge, but I dont wnat to spend a lot on it. If I could get some 3mm plate I could make myself I think.

 

[peterhull]

The square hole in the bronze plate looks to be not so much worn as deformed.

I would anneal it and then carefully knock down the burrs in the corners of the hole with a smooth faced hammer so as to restore the original shape; re-annealing as required.

yes I agree that there is some deformation there as well as wear. I hadn't thought about the annealing it. It will have to be removed and separated from the Tufnol to avoid damaging that anyway so I may give that a go. Presumably you would heat it gently with something like a blow torch?

 

[Poignard]

yes I agree that there is some deformation there as well as wear. I hadn't thought about the annealing it. It will have to be removed and separated from the Tufnol to avoid damaging that anyway so I may give that a go. Presumably you would heat it gently with something like a blow torch?

I would heat it until it's a dull red (cherry red we used to call it) then drop it in a container of water.

Polish the face of your hammer if you want to do a nice job.

 

[peterhull]

I would heat it until it's a dull red (cherry red we used to call it) then drop it in a container of water.

Polish the face of your hammer if you want to do a nice job.

Ok thank you, will have a go at that. Just to get an idea how much a new piece would cost London Bronze price is less than £5 for 60mmx60mmx3mm plate ex vat but they charge£25 for delivery and with vat its about £33!! Ridiculous postage charge.

 

[Daydream believer]

m Machines
Another list
The above are 2 links for supply. i use M Machines a lot, but the second link is the Model engineers forum & you will see the thread I have linked has a number of material suppliers
I actually broke an identical winch on one of our members boats when I did not notice that he had left a rope attached to it & our gantry. As I moved the gantry I took the winch with it. So I ended up rebuilding the winch. One can easily drill a round hole & file the hole square although bronze can be difficult to machine. Ideally one needs a broach. It was 4 years ago & I cannot recall if I pressed it or filed it. I had to re make a spindle as well so i did mangle it a bit.
Tufnol is best purchased from Direct plastics online & I would probably use tufnol whale or Rg1000 but someone on the forum will tell you that I am wrong i am sure
Direct plastics

 

[peterhull]

m Machines
Another list
The above are 2 links for supply. i use M Machines a lot, but the second link is the Model engineers forum & you will see the thread I have linked has a number of material suppliers
I actually broke an identical winch on one of our members boats when I did not notice that he had left a rope attached to it & our gantry. As I moved the gantry I took the winch with it. So I ended up rebuilding the winch. One can easily drill a round hole & file the hole square although bronze can be difficult to machine. Ideally one needs a broach. It was 4 years ago & I cannot recall if I pressed it or filed it. I had to re make a spindle as well so i did mangle it a bit.
Tufnol is best purchased from Direct plastics online & I would probably use tufnol whale or Rg1000 but someone on the forum will tell you that I am wrong i am sure
Direct plastics

Thank-you Daydream believer, Mmachines looks a good contact thanks . I have alresdy ordered Tufnol from aiplastics a few days ago and the flat sheet arrived today but its the phosphor bronze plate may need if I can't reshape the deformed hole. I am going to try that 1st. If the original bronze can be reformed to fit more snugly that will be a good result.

 

[peterhull]

Thank-you Daydream believer, Mmachines looks a good contact thanks . I have alresdy ordered Tufnol from aiplastics a few days ago and the flat sheet arrived today but its the phosphor bronze plate may need if I can't reshape the deformed hole. I am going to try that 1st. If the original bronze can be reformed to fit more snugly that will be a good result.

Mmachines are a good contact , very responsive and helpful thanks