friction shock construction

after looking though the archive on here at different peoples friction shock setups i have decided to make my own set.
i could't find a thread that states specifically what the friction material is that should be used.
if anyone has a link to a thread showing the making of friction shocks or has made some themselves, i would appreciate yoiur input

 

Rubber or leather, traditionally.

 

Plastic discs and leather, alternating each, three plastic two leather usually 3" diameter. Also i have seen people use some type of clutch disc material, so that the clutch material spins together, and a disc of plastic between the clutch material and the steel or aluminum housing.

The plasic i'm refering to is industrial, i think it's called uhmv? and comes in different thicknesses and wear ratings, as well as colors.

 

The Hartford friction shock, which dates back to the teens I believe, is still available as are spare parts.

The discs are a special wood.

Here's the web site...

http://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/en/list+andre+hartford+shock+absorber/

<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>12612 - friction wood disc type 298</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD></TD><TD class=ttext>early type friction disc/wood, 80mm x 38mm x 5mm thick </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ttext colSpan=2>£4.33 for 1 each View part »»</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>858 - friction wood disc type 302</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD></TD><TD class=ttext>early style friction disc/wood 88mm x 38mm x 5mm thick </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ttext colSpan=2>£4.66 for 1 each View part »»</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>12601 - friction wood disc type 306</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD></TD><TD class=ttext>early type friction disc/wood 112mm x 38mm x 5mm thick </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ttext colSpan=2>£4.93 for 1 each View part »»</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>12652 - friction wood disc type 502</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD></TD><TD class=ttext>later type friction disc/wood, small 84mm x 42mm either 2.5mm (thin) or 4.00mm (thick) approx thickness. </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ttext colSpan=2>£3.93 for 1 each View part »»</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>12588 - friction wood disc type 506</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD></TD><TD class=ttext>later style friction large disc/wood, 106mm x 42mm either 2.5mm (thin) or 4.0mm (thick) approx thickness </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ttext colSpan=2>£4.06 for 1 each View part »»</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Making your own friction shocks is very simple and inexpensive. You can use wood, leather or plastic, I used 3/16th UHMW. Ultra High Molecular Weight. I mounted my shocks transverslie,sp, the same way a model a spring. Welded a 3/16 plate to the frame with a 3/8 inch hole. Used a hole saw to cut two pieces of UHMW and one 1/4 inch aluminum plate per side. Flame cut a 1/4 inch arm and used two heim joints to attach to axel. Frame plate is hidden by first plastic, lever arm next, second plastic and aluminum on the out side. Use a grade 5 or 8 bolt with a nylock nut, tighten nut and bolt to increase friction. Some people use a small valve spring to keep tension on shock.
Good Luck DT

 

Hartfords are still available and all the parts as well- the tension "stars" are fairly inexpensive.

Here's a site that sells them: vintagecarparts.co.uk

 

I used a clutch/brake material available from McMaster- Carr. Many thickness and friction coefficients available.