Norm, I tried your excellent design for a reverser but kept having problems. Probably my inexperience and lack of craftsmanship so I decided to try something I had in my mind for some time. I decided to try using the extra big plastic gear I had on hand. So far it is working very well. I don't have everything figured out yet but the basic design is smooth and easy. I don't have the ability to change directions without opening the door but I will probably have to open it anyway to change the gears for threading. Since 99% of my work will be in the normal direction I don't think it will be a problem. The gear chain will hold it in normal mode and a spring or bungee will hold it in reverse. After I set it up I can close the door. I have to cut the steel bar off yet.

I want to thank you for all the work and inspiration of your work. Maybe this is another idea for someone.

Bob

I had problems with the steel gears being misaligned and the frame was too loose. I tried several things but I was afraid I would bugger up the plastic spindle gear. In fact I did a little bit but it is still usable. I bought the timing gears from B&S and annealled them then cut them down to 3/8". One of my problems was too loose a fit between the frame and the spindle it rotated on.

Another subject but since you are a pilot I'll tell you that on saturday I took a 92 yr old pilot over to see the Missouri river on which he grew up. He hadn't flown in years and was so happy he almost cried. He flew for many years and had never wore a headset nor flown at 4000 ft which was the IFR altitude we used to go there.

Awe, the joy of flight.

Thanks again for your work.

Bob

Norman: Yes it is also hot up here. the heat index is 110 to 120. The humidity is very high. We had lots of rain in the spring and early summer and we had to mow the grass quite often but its been dry for the last two weeks so we are mowing less. The weeds still grow though. When we lived in south TX we began to get used to the heat. It was either that or die.

I would like to have a better speed reducer but mine is better than nothing. I did get the right belt for it and have not had any trouble with it but I would like to be able to get fewer RPMs. I think it runs about 100 RPM.

Try to stay cool

Bob