Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Bennett 76

Hi Fella's I need a pair of the Art Deco style frame's for a Bennett 76. Can anyone help? Thank's Brian

Brian,
I am also in the same position as you. I lost one hauling a load of pumps on the freeway the other day."Made me sick" The wind must have cought it. WARNING TO ALL OTHERS, Always remove these before transporting. I am thinking about having a CNC program written so these can be machined out of solid billet alum. They will be expensive but I know that many people want them. If anyone out there like Ron Scobie is already trying this or plans on reproducing them please let us know.

Rob

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I am about halfway through a billet set. I posted pics several months ago on this site for a similar discussion. The billet material will set you back about $150.00 apiece. The cut and programing time is tremendous. I'm at 16 to 18 hours programing and cutting time and only the backs for a pair are done. I expect another 16 hours to complete the fronts (when I can find the time and CNC machines are open for me to play) and there will still be a lot of hand work to complete. This is not for the faint of heart. If someone had to pay shop rate for this (most shops in Phoenix are at $75.00 per hour) you'd be looking at $2700 for a pair. I finally found a beautiful set from a friend of this site after two years of looking and they were not particulary cheap but well worth the price. I am considering making some resin copies as since they are typically painted no one would know the difference. Any comment out there on cast resin copies??
Good luck, Jeff

Jeff,
When I painted my SHELL 36B Twin [with homemade showcase]14yrs ago. There were few [if any] parts being made for it. I casted many parts useing BONDO & RESIN mixed. I used a metal plate with machine bolts for the pices that needed tobe attached like originals. Then after pouring the mixture into the mould, I would lay the metal plate on top of it.
VERY few people know what parts are HOMEMADE.
The middle adv. top is made of WOOD. Because I collect 36B tops, I could replace it with an original. BUT, I painted it 14 yrs ago, and trying to match the paint would be nearly impossible.
Dick

Jeff ,
Dick was also explaning to me about how much CNC programing would be required because of the need for machining on both sides. Maybe the most cost effective alternative would be having a special mold made. But I see more work ahead depending on how the product comes out of the mold. I wonder how many people out there need this part. How many oldgassers are saving there Bennett 76 & 77 pumps in hopes to find face-frames someday. At least I still have one perfect face-frame and like Dick suggested bolt the pump down in front of a wall and just enjoy it the way it is.

Rob

Rob