Drawbar Dollies


Better known as the plastic bits at the end of the drawbars. If you've got a Conti on the cheap the chances are the dollies are missing. There is a place in the US where you can buy some remanufactured parts, but if your finances can't stretch that far, I've done some pages which may inspire you to make some for yourself.
 

Here come a load of close up photos taken of my Mk 1 Conti. serial number 04018

dolly

Outline type photo from which you can get a profile.
 
 

same but different detail

Same but with different lighting so you can see the detail, note the mould line (where the original plastic injection mould splits to allow extraction of the part).
 
 

close up front

Front detail showing font and radii.
 
 

underside
 

Showing detail of the slot which mounts on the actual drawbar itself. The dot near the top is the underside view of the fixing screw (I left it in for safe keeping).
 

Here is a clear view of those power and vibrato switches. I've had a quick look through the Arcoelectric and IMO catalogues but cannot see anything with the same dolly. My guess is those original switches would not meet today's electrical safety standards, all the more reason for replacing them. If anyone finds a source of these exact switches please let me know. There are plenty modern switches that will fit the hole, similar in appearance but don't have that square top.
 

the big picture
 

Here is another photo giving a front view, the labelling is moderately clear. Note the two reddish dollies. I don't know quite what the symbols refer to but one is like the tilde symbol as found on your computer keyboard... ~ and the other symbol looks like M
 

front view
 

I know you want more.. so here it is. I've taken a dolly off my Conti and measured it, produced an AutoCAD drawing of it, as most of you wont have AutoCAD I've cheated and done a screen capture.
If you want my real dxf or dwg file just ask and it's yours. That will be the one you'll need for serious manufacture. But I cannot guarantee any dimensions, all the measurements were taken using a cheap vernier calliper gauge.
All dimensions are in mm.
 
 

screen capture of AutoCAD
 
 
 
 
 

© David Barraclough
Feb 2003