REPRODUCTION A.C. GILBERT ERECTOR SET P58 MOTOR PULLEYS

Description: Up for auction are FOUR (4) reproduction P58 motor pulleys used on A.C. Gilbert Erector set P58 motors. Again, these parts are reproductions. Gilbert introduced the P58 motor in 1915. They produced MANY variations of this motor. The 1915-1923 motors were made during what collectors term the “Type I” era. These motors can be identified by their “round” feet with punched holes. Motors produced in 1924 and after had open-ended slots on their “feet”. Another variation was the diameter of the axle used on the armature. Some were produced with a 1/8” diameter axle, while others were made with a 5/32” diameter axle. Gilbert’s gears, pulleys, and wheels typically had 5/32” holes in their hubs. The problem with a 1/8” diameter axle is that the gears, pulleys, and wheels did not fit well when directly screwed to the armature shaft. Yeah, a 5/32” hub going over a 1/8” axle would work, but the spinning part would have quite a bit of run-out resulting in vibration. On the other hand, Gilbert did sell personal vibrators under the Polar Cub brand, but I digress. . . Gilbert’s solution was to press a pulley onto the 1/8” diameter armature shaft. This pulley had an outside diameter of 3/8”, and included an integrated 5/32” axle on its end for directly attaching gears, pulleys, and/or wheels. As an aside, I’ve seen another variation on these 1/8” axle motors where a brass pulley (much like Gilbert’s later DB motor pulley) was attached. Those pulleys had an 1/8” hole where they pressed onto the axle, and a 5/32” hole near the end for presumably inserting a short standard axle and/or 8-32 screw. These pulleys had a set screw near the end to secure the 5/32” axle. The auction photos show FOUR (4) reproduction pulleys. They also show an original pulley next to a reproduction for reference only. This original pulley IS NOT included in this auction. So, how do you know if your motor has a 1/8” or 5/32” armature? Set a standard P13 gear or similar on the axle. If it is very loose, it’s a 1/8” axle. Another method is to hold a standard axle up to the armature axle. If they are the same size, you have a 5/32” axle. If it is smaller, the motor has a 1/8” armature axle. I have CAREFULLY removed these pulleys from several motors; it appeared on those examples that they were press-fit onto the armature shaft. These reproductions were made with a hard slip-fit onto a 1/8” axle. HOWEVER, many 100+-year-old P58 motors will have some rust on the armature axle resulting in an axle slightly larger than 1/8”. I would recommend cleaning the rust off with sandpaper before installing a new pulley. More details: These reproductions were lightly peened at the 1/8” hole opening to create a slight interference with the armature axle. I have attached pulleys using two methods. Method 1: Press Fit. In this case, I set the motor on a bench with the backside of the armature shaft on a steel plate. I place the motor pulley on the armature axle and tap it down with a brass hammer. Yeah, a steel hammer will work, but that could result in peening the end of the motor pulley. A peened shaft may no longer accept gears, pulleys, and wheels; the peened area would need to be filed down. Method 2: Loctite. In this case, it is best to remove the peened hole opening of the pulley. This can be done by turning the pulley/drill by hand to clean off the burr/peened area. I use blue Loctite, a very small drop is all that is needed. The pulley should be installed the same way as method 1. However, the Loctite joint can be broken by heating the end of the pulley with a match to heat it up, and then prying the pulley off. NOTE: The P58 motors shown in the auction pictures are for reference only and ARE NOT INCLUDED with this auction. The auction winner will receive FOUR (4) reproduction P58 motor pulleys. Don’t hesitate to ask questions through eBay’s messaging service. Payment is through eBay’s payment system, shipping via USPS Ground Advantage in a 9” x 4” x 1” padded envelope weighing 3 ounces. If you are interested in learning more about Gilbert Erector sets, Google ACGHS for the home page of the A. C. Gilbert Heritage Society. Included in the photos is a sample page of an Erector parts guide I wrote about 10 years ago; it details the variations of all of the parts used between 1933 – 1962 and is available as a free download from the ACGHS website. Another trivial fact; the ACGHS past president and webmaster is one of A. C. Gilbert’s grandsons!

Price: 24.5 USD

Location: Charlotte, Michigan

End Time: 2024-09-21T20:28:17.000Z

Shipping Cost: 2.04 USD