how to file down a swollen side plate

alantani · February 27, 2015, 04:12:35 AM

when you see cracked rings on an old senator, it's not a failure of the metal but the plastic side plate that has expanded. the rings just don't fit. you could file down the ring, but the results are much better when you file down the side plate.

there are two ridges that the side plate has to drop down over. the first is here.

the second ridge is here.

place the ring upside down on the side plate and see how well it fits.

we're going to use the edge of the file to reduce the diameter. this is a long process. take you time.

work around the entire diameter a half dozen times and then recheck the fit with the ring upside down.

when you finally get the fit you need on the inside diameter, start on the outside.

when starting on the outside diameter, you will need to avoid hitting the very center because it will be visible between the two rings.

the process is the same. make a half dozen laps around.

all the pressure is on the edge of the file.

ok, we have reduced both surfaces.

now it fits!

Dominick · February 27, 2015, 04:19:13 AM

Bosu arigatō. Dominick

fIsHsTiiCkS · February 27, 2015, 04:22:52 AM

Beautiful job! I love seeing your tutorials and actually helps me on a reel I have had a problem with getting the ring to sit right on.

fsrmn · February 27, 2015, 04:52:23 AM

The file looks like a 12" bastard cut. Would a 8" second cut work also or would it load up too fast?

Lensters · February 27, 2015, 10:50:39 AM

Thanks for posting this. That is how I envisioned doing it but two mech. engr. said that it would flat spot and a machinist friend thought that the bakelite, since it isn't very dense, it would want to feather and leave very rough edges.

alantani · February 27, 2015, 05:50:15 PM

Quote from: fsrmn on February 27, 2015, 04:52:23 AM
The file looks like a 12" bastard cut. Would a 8" second cut work also or would it load up too fast?

bring what you've got!

fsrmn · February 27, 2015, 07:25:15 PM

That's the problem, I have all kinds of files

I never tried filing on Bakelite, but on hard plastic and soft metals I use a 8" to 10" second cut file and a file card to keep it from loading up. The finer teeth eliminate the problems Lensters friends pointed out. But I guess since it will be covered by the rings, it wouldn't really matter

Unutt · February 28, 2015, 12:40:24 AM

Put it on the lathe!

Tiddlerbasher · February 28, 2015, 01:23:45 PM

x2 if you have a lathe. Remove shaft cap nut and bolt through the hole and spin it up! You could also use a drill stand with a steady hand on the file/cutter

alantani · March 01, 2015, 12:47:36 AM

wish i had room for a lathe!!!!!

Ron Jones · March 01, 2015, 05:17:57 AM

It is important to remember that the majority of 113H side plates you run into are not bakelite. They are various polymers that changed through the years. It is my experience that the ones that need trimming are not bakelite.
Ron

otghoyt · March 05, 2015, 03:24:46 PM

I have a 114 and it had a lot of play aroung the gear sleeve and drag wheel spacer. I bought a NOS plate for and it didn't fit. I didn't know what to do so I bought a package of cardboard finger nail files. Talk about a loooong process, but I was afraid of killing a new sideplate. Especially when I didn't know what I was doing. I always used fresh files to keep the edges square. It finally worked but took over 2 hours and red dust all over the place.

"if I only had a braaaaain"