beachgirl wrote:
So Gary, where are the pix of the reconstruction of the lightbulb (since the original parts are no longer available), and also, could you please provide the sketch that's needed as a "template" since that's all that's available to base the said reconstruction on?????
Oooookay. Be careful what you wish for!
......Today's work started with the discovery of an old light bulb in the CAF inventory. It has the standard repairs that I've come accustomed to finding, but was somehow still operational. It just needed to be "Austinized"..........
The first step was to remove the old "repairs" and see what was under them. Fortunately, only small issues were discovered and the primary structure had no JB Weld holding it together..........
Fortunately, I was able to find an appropriate cleaning compound and make a permanent fix, rather than one of those "Band Aid" repairs. It's better to be lucky than good, I reckon......
In order to get this light bulb operational, I needed to take a look at the drawings. However, it seems that our light bulb is an "A" model and the drawings for such equipment is rare, since there were only limited numbers produced. Photographs of this model are also extremely rare, which has made this project quite difficult to continue on with. But if you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough, and I decided that the one, very poor quality drawing I had was just going to have to work. If nothing else, I could use it as a reference to give me ideas on how this whole light bulb assembly works.........
Now, it became obvious to me that to make this light bulb operational, I was going to need a fixture of some sort to make this happen. For days, I searched through our surplus parts pile out on the hill to come up with something. And then finally, I found something that might work. It was an old fixture assembly made for another make of light bulb, but I'm sure with a little tinkering, I can make it work.........
To disassemble the assembly, I grabbed the right tool for the right job and started removing the appropriate components........
Then I started the refinishing process. I had to mask off the areas that weren't to be painted and had to be extra careful not to get overspray on any surrounding light bulbs. One thing that was extra frustrating was the fact that the upcoming deadline kept me from masking off every single item, such as the blue label on the fixture. That means I had to paint right over it. Another time issue was the fact that I couldn't use the paint that the factory used when this fixture was built. So I just opted for the high speed, low drag, spray paint to get this project done. I hate deadlines.........
While the paint was curing, I needed to focus on the remainder of the fixture. Now, I realize that the "originality buffs" will notice right away that the little rubber ends on the clamp assembly are not original to an "A" model light bulb fixture. I wanted to take those off of there, but the elected staff had a vote and decided to keep them in place because it makes the fixture more "sellable" to the general public. And unfortunately, we are unable to make everything completely original due to the fact that we have to have the general public's support to keep operating these light bulbs for years to come.........
The next step was to reattach the clamp assembly to the fixture. This was done just the opposite of removal and the proper tools were used again in this process........
And finally it was time to install the light bulb. So.....just how many CAFers does it take to screw in a light bulb?????
Two mechanics and a hangar cat..........
And once all of this work has been done, it's great to see the finished product in operation. This candid picture of the light bulb in operation was taken just as I had an idea, and as you can see, it worked flawlessly!............
Okay, okay, so maybe I do have too much time on my hands. I really do need to get back to work on that B-24 out there in the hangar, but I just couldn't help but poke a little fun at myself and my rambling updates.
Gary
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