Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) Possibly one of the more common but least noticed part of a vehicle are the footman loops, those things to fasten a strap to. For some reason there are a large range of types and sizes. Obviously for a given strap size, the width needs to suit but there is a large variation even for a given size. I first found this out when I restored my M5 HST back in the late 90s. It has 18 loops with a 2" screw pitch. All the available loops were different. Everything from 1 7/8" to 2 1/8" and beyond but nothing that would fit. The particular loops were a distinctive design too so I decided to make them. Having recently been making some hood hoops for a different vehicle, the same loop, an Eberhard EB-6409B was needed again. In this case, as the hoops were new build, any loop could have been fitted but it was decided to get it right and make some more. Here follows a photo essay of the process. Edited February 10, 2011 by Adrian Barrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 I had previously made a jig from copper, the reason for which will become clear, and amazingly knew exactly where it was. Anybody who knows my sheds will know why this is a surprise.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) The main part of the loop is made from a 1" long piece of 6mm dia bright and two pieces of 13x3 black flat. These are clamped in the jig in their relative positions. The length of the flat is not important as they will be trimmed later. Edited February 10, 2011 by Adrian Barrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 The next step is to join them. For this I weld between the two using the MIG. The weld does not stick to copper so the face of the jig acts as a mould. You have to put enough weld on to enable the correct profile after shaping. A quick dunk in some water and it is ready for shaping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 I do all the sizing and shaping with a flap dics in the angle grinder. Any finish work can be attended to with a file but is usually not necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 It's then a simple matter of drilling the holes to the correct centres and countersinking them to suit the screw. The final job is to sandblast them and dip them in primer. This fills any irregularities and bulks out the shape. I have still to do this and will post a pic when finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Not a very exciting post I know but just an insight into what I get up to.......:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulob1 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 amazing attention to detail.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Rimmer Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Very nice Adrian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Very nice Adrian! Thanks Matt, I suspect you'll be seeing a pair soon...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.Rimmer Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I suspect so! nice to see all the work that goes into them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P Marriott Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) That is an amazing process Adrian. I see what you mean about using the copper as a sort of mould!! Your just too damn clever!! I guess this means I can pick the hoops up next Thursday or Friday?? I had better find some other items to repro that may tax your ability!! Edited February 10, 2011 by P Marriott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveo578 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Adrian BarrellNot a very exciting post I know but just an insight into what I get up to....... I don't know -there's a long running T.V. series showing similar processes, brief and to the point, great stuff:D:thumbsup: Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 How were the originals made? I would have thought castings would have been a quick and easy way of making more rather than fabrication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Ashby Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Thanks for the post Adrian most timely, I have to make some non standard footman’s for the Retriever cab and was pondering how I was going to do it; the copper mould is a winner. Many thanks for sharing your method Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Not a very exciting post I know but just an insight into what I get up to.......:-D Maybe not too exciting, but a master class non the less..very useful info thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 How were the originals made? I would have thought castings would have been a quick and easy way of making more rather than fabrication. The originals were cast steel and indeed that would be the most accurate way to replicate them. However, what with making a pattern and getting them cast in small quantities, making them myself as and when required is easier. Besides, I like a challenge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G506 Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Nice work there, Adrian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphibi boy Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Excellent work as usual adrian. A question about the original "cast" ones, would they be strong enough in aluminium? As it would be easier to cast for the "home d.i.y'er" or would they be too soft? :nut: And its always good to see your posts, the work you do is great. :-D Cheers Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessie The Jeep Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I've 'Home cast' aluminium before for use in high stress locations and they were fine. I can't see it being a problem for footman loops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin craig Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Adrian, not sure on your finished dimensions but they are available in other sizes such as here http://www.spaenaur.com/pdf/sectionM/M63.pdf I think these are a lighter version than yours. R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 I have often wondered as to the correct name for these fittings. I note you have also refered to them as Eberhard EB-6409B. Was this a part number? In the Landrover S1 manual they are called a staple. As the origin is with horse drawn carriages, I take it there would be other names for the same style of fitting. Some fittings have not changed in use or style for centuries. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 15, 2011 Author Share Posted February 15, 2011 Eberhard is a manufacturer who are still making footman loops and the number was the part number of the one I needed but sadly no longer made. I think footman loop is a US term but as you say with origins in the horse drawn carriage days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanter Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I'm still surprised to find these dotted about inside the cargo bays of 737's at work, no-one knows if the cargo loaders ever use them but we still keep putting them back on, sure they have a Boeing part number which means at least 20x the true price :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Young Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Hi everyone, I'm interested in a good site that sells hinges. I was looking at these guys http://www.spep.com/Blog/StainlessSteelFootmanLoops.html, but they don't sell to individuals, it's a $150 minimum order. Does anyone know of a reputable and reasonably priced site? Thanks, Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.