How To: 20-cwt GS trailer hand brake

[Grant Bowker]

New parts were made to the size given by the "enlarged to full size" diagram from the parts list. The main upright was 3/16" to match the ratchet plate on the eBay handle, stiffening webs 1/4" to match the diagram, base plate 3/8" to match the diagram, sloped plate for cable/rod to pass through and its curved wedge support a mix of 1/8' and 3/16" from the offcuts bin. All parts were welded together and the raised profile of a mig weld ground to resemble the dish profile of the original casting or forging. At this point I still hadn't seen an origina, I was working from a mix of known dimensions, period drawing (wildly enlarged but seemingly dimensionally sound) and thinking about it in terms of "how many ways could the part be made" to fit what I knew.

Images are the welded assembly before and after sandblasting and phosphate treatment. The sandblasting left a quite uniform surface that encouraged me to carry on.

[Grant Bowker]

Not much more to the assembly. After sandblasting the rivet that acts as the handle pivot was peened over and the assembly painted. At this stage I was quite satisfied with the result, it looked like a single piece and appeared dimensionally and functionally correct.

[Grant Bowker]

When we went up to the Dan Caldwell's to pick up the HUP parts for Rob Clarke I took the chance to look inside the FAT bodies they have in the back yard and there was a parking brake handle of the type I'd made staring me in the face. (Aside - I think Christie would like him to sell the FAT bodies if a suitable buyer can be found).
Compared to the fabricated part, the main upright is a bit thicker, all facets of the base have more casting draght than I had expected but unless you know what to look for, I think my fabrication is an acceptable facsimile until an original part jumps out of the bush.
Images are the original parking brake lever assembly.