"chuckb" wrote:

HI it would help if you could identify what you need I have a lot of parts thanks chuck

@Chuck Looking for armor for Holt 5ton and undercarriage parts. I'll PM you my phone number

Hi Howard I was respnding to the need for the 28 parts the armored 5 tons are future projets bigger stuff keeps getting in the way btw your 5 ton is very nice this armour was made by the diebold safe company in Canton ohio it is extreemly brittle and cracked around every rivet where they rusted

"chuckb" wrote:

I believe that guy from England is making the replacement manifolds that you need

I am also in need of a Cat 28 bottom radiator tank that is not welded or broke in any way whatsoever. Have too many welded tanks now. John 314-651-2427

What has happened to the Geo Logue patterns that were going the ACMOC??? I bought a 28 complete set from Geo several years ago. I don't know why things haven't been sorted out so the membership can have the service of having new manifolds made with out getting to the politics of how much the club will profit, I thought this was to be a Hobby????

I would think finding the right person or company to cast and the cost would be the issue. Not sure what the club would make. I think as per the cost they could make a ton of parts but if priced to high they will sit. The club has a lots of models sitting they don't want big dollar castings sitting. Just a thought

The Club did receive a donation of a number of patterns and associated drawings from the George Logue estate. The donation did not include everything that George had, though, and I don't recall any Twenty Eight stuff in the mix. All of the patterns and drawings are safely stored and we are working to put them to use.

The Models, Merchandise and Marketing Committee assessed the inventory of potential projects we received and chose the Sixty manifold set as the start up project. We felt it didn't make sense to compete with suppliers already producing some things, like Rosewood already offers Ten and Fifteen manifolds. I believe our friend in the U. K. already offered some of the Twenty and Thirty items. He may also have made or may still offer Twenty Eight parts, you might want to check with a few on here who help him with product marketing and handling in the U. S. We had several inquiries about the Sixty set and felt comfortable that it was probably the best first project.

We worked to identify a supplier who we had confidence would provide a consistent quality part and could manage the entire process, from casting and machining to storage and shipping to order. We have a tentative deal with Rosewood to work on the project. At this point, we are working to get the Sixty patterns, drawings and specifications to Rosewood so that they can develop a manufacturing plan, get us a tentative cost and we can then determine what our retail price point will have to be. Our objective is to avoid losing money, but we don't expect to make much profit on these products, either.

We expect to have the Sixty patterns in Rosewood's hands within a few weeks, and it will take Rosewood a few weeks to develop their plan and arrive at tentative costing. At that point, we'll announce the results here and elsewhere and see how things fit into the marketplace.

This doesn't help you, of course, with your need for Twenty Eight items. I will find out whether we have any Twenty Eight products in our inventory and report back. If there is sufficient interest and no other suppliers are considering making those products, that could be the next item we might consider. If the Sixty project is successful, we shouldn't need too much lead time to begin another line. I would think that four to six months should be plenty of time.

You might consider checking with the U. K. connection to see what might be available for the Twenty Eight. Another possibility is MarinersMarina, who are located in New Jersey and sell many different castings on ebay and elsewhere. It is my understanding that their Caterpillar stuff came to them indirectly from Empire Machine through one of Empire's several bankruptcies, or in settlement of a debt. I'm not clear whether Mariners produced the Caterpillar castings they are selling from Empire patterns and specifications, or if they are selling product which was produced by Empire.

Many on here have had bad experiences with Empire, but I don't believe Mariners is associated with Empire. I recently spoke to a Club Member who had purchased a Twenty Eight manifold set from Mariners. He hasn't put the manifolds on the tractor, but he said that the product he received measures up properly and the quality appears very good. One of our Board Members has also spoken to Mariners about their products and they seemed very open, answered all of his questions and indicated that they have been in the business of producing machined castings, mostly for marine applications, for some time.

Even though there is an Empire connection to Mariners, I would say that Mariners may be a good alternative based upon the scant information I have received so far.

I'll keep you posted about the Club's use of the George Logue patterns and drawings and I hope that you are able to source your Twenty Eight parts quickly and at a reasonable price.

Pete.

Are currently on the project list in the UK. If anyone needs more info feel free to contact me via PM.
Jeff