My experience is with manganese bronze and it is strong, probably strong enough for the handles. I think even brass would work. I don't know about replacing the steel bracket you mention, but I think it would be worth a try.

Geoff Blake

I have had door handles cast in bronze, for the Biddle & Smart 1929 sedans, and if you cast the square shaft in bronze it tends to twist if you lean on it. Later ones I had done the foundry inserted a steel shaft into the bronze before it set.
Geoff

You might want to consider casting a few extras, in case there is a demand for these from other people. Once the mold is made,and you're set up for casting, it wouldn't cost that much more to make some extras.. And by selling them, you could get part of your investment back. You wouldn't have to plate them, that could be done later.

I assume I'm correct in saying that these are not interchangeable with the '29 handles? (Because, if they are interchangeable, someone else had the 29's made.)

Geoff (Clark) I thought you were re-making the 1928 and 1929 Hudson and Essex window crank handles?

Yes, I have a mold for the '28 window winders. It costs me to get these made, and I am not prepared to carry these in stock just in case anybody wants them. I will happily get them made to order, but I have been left out of pocket too often to be a good Samaritan again. There is no advantage in getting more than one made at a time, they are all individually cast from the one mold. I'm afraid it's money up front from now on. I get the castings from the foundry, then have to fettle them and send away to the plating works, and post them. A lot of work for little return.

Thank's to everyone for the information. I will get the steel cast ino the handles to be on the safe side. I should be able to cut the grove for the retainer myself. I'll look innto casting more for other people. I think the cost, unplated, will be in the $500.00 range for a set of eight. I'll have to check into the cost further.

If others are interested in a set, let me know as it may affect the price. I'm not looking for a profit, or recouping the cost of my set, but like Geoff, I would want payment up front for additional handles or cranks once I have a "for sure" price.

Thanks again guys;
Wayne

Charles, you might want to advertise these ahead of time in the "Reproduction Parts" section of the WTN, since probably more Hudson people see that than participate in this forum.