Re: The Duchess Project: 1940 Super 8 Convertible Sedan

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2012/12/22 23:26:07

I'm not sure welding on brake drums is such a good practice. Though they look simple enough they are somewhat complex in that they are made of perhaps 3 or 4 different materials that no doubt have different expansion properties. I'd guess the hub starts life as a forging and the bell as cast steel, and some use a sheet steel face between the hub and the bell. And the friction surface in many is "centrifuse" (like molten sputtering) cast iron applied to the bell. My own preference would always to first try to find a used drum in good condition before trying to alter one. Just my opinion, I don't have any source info that welding drums is unsafe or ill-advised though I've been told that by some old-time mechanics.