Subject: Little Giant questions?

From: "Robby W. Armstrong" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 1996 08:58:41 -0500 (CDT)

Guys,

I am rebuilding my 25 lb. old style Little Giant. I purchased new
parts where needed, cleaned all the crud off, and will pour new
babbitt bearings next week. The following questions are so common
that they may have been answered on here before, forgive me for
asking again, but here goes;

My questions:

The bottom die holder(anvil?) has some large chips and I would like
to fill them in, what type rod do I use? 

Is it O. K. to fill them in, will it weaken the structure?

 I am no expert for sure, but it must be made from cast steel to
take the pounding and pressure from the die key being driven in. Is
that correct or is it cast iron?

The solid brass rod that connects between the (flywheel?) and the
arms is worn at the end where it connects to the flywheel. It looks
like a a brass piston rod, can I take both pieces (the flywheel and
brass rod to a automotive machine shop and get them to machine shop
and get them to machine and fit it the way they would a piston rod?
Or would they screw it up? What should I do to take the play out?

After cleaning I noticed that the Little Giant was originally
painted green. What type paint should I use to repaint it and what
shade of green was it?

Answers will be appreciated.

Thanks, 

Robby W. Armstrong
[email-masked]

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From: "Steven O. Smith" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 96 8:51:22 MDT

> painted green. What type paint should I use to repaint it and what

Watch out for the old paint. In Richard Kern's book on rebuilding
Little Giants, he explains that the original paint was leaded and can
make you pretty sick. Don't leave any skin exposed and use a dust mask
if you brush it off. Having it sandblasted might be a good way to get
it clean. I just used Rustoleum on mine.

--
Steven O. Smith
[email-masked]

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From: Jim McCarty <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 05 Jun 1996 15:37:32 -0500

> Answers will be appreciated.

Robby,
Let me direct you to Sid Suedemeier who literally bought the factory 
years ago. Sid has new parts for most models and can answer nearly all 
your questions. Might help to have the serial number handy when you 
visit with him. He can tell you what year it was manufactured and 
even, I am told, who it went to and where from the factory. Sid lives 
in Nebraska City, Neb and his phone no. is 402-873-6603.
-- 
Jim McCarty
Father Helias Forge
Taos, MO
Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri
Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds