Novelty Merchantman Crane

[4591yelrah]

Great. That's the side to side. What about back to front movement?

[JC]

The bevel gear that can be seen in Mr P's pictures ultimately does two things: by turning the knob on the front of the machine, the crane's jib moves in an arc. The shaft on which the other bevel gear is fitted (driven by the one shown) has a crank on its end, which moves a lever back and forth. This lever engages with a toothed quadrant fitted to the centre cam follower - this is the cam that controls the jib's forward movement. Depending on where the afore mentioned lever engages with the quadrant, will determine how far forward the jib moves.
Hope that makes sense. Sorry I haven't got a picture, but maybe Mr P or someone else can post one.

[4591yelrah]

Thanks. Very informative. Could do with a pic.
thanks

[pennymachines]

A bit tricky to photograph in situ. Included (in case it's of interest) a pic of the clutch adjustment instructions.
See also The Story of the Restoration of an Imperial Exhibit Supply Company Claw Machine.

[4591yelrah]

I see now end with crank is broken. Don't suppose I'll find another. It will be cast, so not weldable. It'll do me now. Most of it works. (Anybody got one).

[brigham]

It's annoying having some part not working, but it wasn't unusual even in commercial use.
By the time my generation was playing Merchantman cranes, the pointer, and even the label, was very often inactive or missing.

[scorpa163]

I rebuilt a Bonzini crane and had to fabricate a lot ( the main bracket had metal rot!)
The only thing I didn’t do was the position indicator.
I have marked the knob so I know back and front.
Put blue tack on the jaws and win on it most times.
The grand kids think it’s fantastic.

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