Buffalo 14 inch silent 200 Hand cranked blower

[hammerandtongs]

Im looking to buy a none working Buffalo Blower as above.
Question is the THIS IS A 14 INCH FORGE BLOWER ON A REMOVABLE STAND IT IS NOT WORKING YOU CAN EITHER REPAIR IT OR USE IT FOR SPARES

THE SMALLEST DRIVE COG IS CRACKED?
What are the chances that I can get another small drive cog to get this repaired. Ive got a chance to get this none working item but am worried if I can get a spare gear or would it be possible to get one manufacture. I work in engineering so im thinking maybe I could get one made-ive no ides how complex this small gear would be to make .Does any one have any experience with the repair of this blowers. I dont want to miss a bargan. Thanks Ivan-Hammerand tongs.
Any advice very greatfully recieved.

[gerald]

And, Bedfordshire is in the UK?? Kentucky?? New Zealand??

[hammerandtongs]

Hi Gerald from across the water that would be England. Can you help buddy.

[gerald]

I have a Buffalo 200 that I am trying to get "un-frozen". Folks around my part of the US (Oklahoma) haven't seen a large number of the 200's. Other Buffalo models are reasonably common, particulary the 400. On my 200, the two lower gears are free, but the top drive gear is frozen. I've been working on trying to free it but the going is slow. Since these blowers aren't too common (in Oklahoma anyway) I've been very careful to not break anything since I'm not sure that I can get replacement parts.

I'd appreciate postings from anyone who can shed some light on the Buffalo 200, specifically, are the gears turning on bearings or bushings?

Sorry Ivan, I didn't mean to hi-jack your thread. Maybe we can get some answers that help us both out.

[Daryl]

Hard to make a good call without seeing the condition of the gear itself. As far as your drive gear is concerned, it is possible to obtain a replacement of sorts. Barring any chance of obtaining parts from another blower, you will have to consider buying new. In North America, a good company to look to is Boston Gear, I would assume there should be a similar company across the pond. There are many points you must take in to account before ordering any off the shelf gear for replacement, diameter, tooth pitch, etc.. Some websites actually will provide the formulas required for ordering replacement gears.
I hope this helps.

[matt87]

Ivan, I happen to have come across your source for this, though it'll stay under my hat I suggest asking for detailed photos of the inside. You can buy hand-cranked blowers new from Vaughans, though they're not cheap at £344.95 + delivery and VAT.

There are alternatives of course. I use a little electric blower I cobbled together from junk that just about manages with a carefully maintained charcoal fire. Vaughans sells aluminum blower impellers (the hardest part to make) for £27.95 + delivery and VAT; I'm considering fabricating a housing from sheet metal and wood and attaching a salvaged motor or improvised hand cranking mechanism.

You can also use electric blowers salvaged from stuff. Hair driers and shop vacuums set to 'blow' are classic examples, though they are loud and have far too much air. Air blowers from orphaned tumble driers are apparently quiet and cheap and free, but I've never tried them. Car heater blowers are suitable too.

A few points to remember about blowers:
1) You can make them from scratch
2) You can modify them or make from parts of other things
3) You can scrounge them from stuff
4) If a blower is electric you must know how to feed it correctly and do so; if it needs 12V DC @ 3A, give it that.
5) Air gates are good.

[hammerandtongs]

Thanks Guys, the 200 silent seems to be a rare animal.
I am guessing that this being sold as Not working will probably need to have repairs to more than just the declared small input gear. When gears run together and ones crook the other is normally affected.This being so and parts being scarce it may not be such a good deal. Having said that without pictures its hard to make a call.Maybe some more information from the seller will help me decide as im still. If this information is not forthcoming its probably because its in worse condition than would be hoped.
Matt87 sounds like you know your stuff, thanks for the advice.

The following words make for interesting reading.
Inspect Used blowers before purchase!
When buying a used blower at a sale, the first thing to inspect is the ease with which the crank can be turned and anything that suggests damaged or broken gears or bearings which support the gears inside the blower. Grinding noises or a rough grinding or grating feel of the crank in operation is reason enough to look for another blower. Check to see if air is being delivered by the fan. Check for clogs such as bird nests, hornets nests or other debris, damaged or loose gearing or fan blade attachment, and missing or broken fan blades. If the fan will not turn, check to see if the fan hub came loose and is binding against the fan case, or if debris is blocking rotation of the fan.

If any of the following conditions appear then the blower is junk:

grinding gears,
rusted out interior of gear case,
broken gear case,
gear teeth missing or rusted off,
broken housing,
cracks running through bearing seats.
Thanks for your help guys Regards H&T