Subject: Re: Champion 400 blower

From: "Bruce M. Freeman" <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 22:36:28 -0400 (EDT)

One thing about the handle:  You might want to roughly balance it.
Otherwise the heavy end will find its way down.  We have a blower in the
shop - don't know the brand, it might be a Champion - that has hub that
attaches to the blower shaft, and a hole (oblong) for the crank.  Thus the
crank can be adjusted in length.  In addition, opposit to the handle end,
there's a counterweight (an iron globe) that can be adjusted along the
length of the crank.  Thus the crank can be balance.  Of course our hub is
broken...
Bruce

At 04:07 PM 7/23/96 -0500, Jim McCarty wrote:
>[email-masked] wrote:
>> 
>>      I picked up ($8) a  Champion 400  blower it seems to run well but is
>>      missing a crank/handle. My first blacksmithing project will be to make
>>      one as the vise grips just don't do it. I have never seen a complete
>>      one, is there something i should know about the handle? extra heavy
>>      for momentum? How about maintenance? i assume you pack the screw on
>>      "cups" on the outside with grease? how about inside just grease? any
>>      particular type or weight of grease?
>> 
>>      thanks for any help
>> 
>>      [email-masked]
>
>
>The handle isn't anything special -- just the right length so you 
>don't hit your knuckles on the fan housing. Grease the cups, but 
>inside needs oil. Think the consensus on this was chainsaw lube, get 
>the kind from Stihl or use way lube designed for machinery. One 
>application should do for the next 80 years...
>-- 
>Jim McCarty
>Father Helias Forge
>Taos, MO
>Editor Rural Missouri Magazine
>Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri
>
>³Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds³
>
>
>

---

From: Jim McCarty <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 24 Jul 1996 08:34:51 -0500

> length of the crank.  Thus the crank can be balance.  Of course our hub is
You are right Bruce, the Champion is counterbalanced and slides along 
the shaft. Always thought this was so it felt right in your hand but 
most likely it is a balance thing. They really were nicely designed 
save for that leaky bearing. Would be glad to make a sketch and mail 
it to whoever is interested -- I have two 400s right now.