[Public-List] Edson Tiller head

[Gordon Laco via Public-List]

I reckon we might call this string ‘how the mighty have fallen’.   Some years ago it occurred to me that since Edson’s foundry still existed, and since they’ve got a huge collection of patterns, so should be able to make any of the fittings they’ve supplied the industry over the past 60 + years or so, I might be able to source gear for my clients from them.  

 

They were enthusiastic.  But the first transaction wasn’t good.  I wanted a set of pintles and gudgeons for a client’s wooden yacht…we never got beyond debating what pintles and gudgeons are.  Our point of contact at Edson seemed fixated on the idea that we didn’t know what we were asking for, despite my business CV and detailed drawings being sent to them.  (Ever had a conversation where it seemed the other party were just not understanding and responding as if they were having their own conversation?)  So we gave up.  It should have been simple.

 

I had a talk with the president of Edson at a boat show more recently.  He was sympathetic and appealed to me to try again, I believe he was sincere but I haven’t yet.

 

In forty years in the yacht outfitting business I learned that the cost in bronze gear is in the machining and finishing (after pattern making, which is not inconsiderable).  Producing quality fittings means man-hours of dirty but skilled work at the lathe and polishing.  And attention to specifications with willingness to recast castings and start over if the finishing processes reveal imperfections.  Not assembly line automated production in the millions of units, but skilled craftsmen who care about quality making items one by one.  

 

Phew, that was turning into a table thumping speech.  Sorry.

 

Gord #426 Surprise

 

From: edward schroeder <eddiediver at sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: edward schroeder <eddiediver at sbcglobal.net>
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 8:59 AM
To: Gordon Laco <mainstay at csolve.net>, Stephen Gwyn <stephen.gwyn at gmail.com>, Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>, Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Edson Tiller head

 

I, too, bought an Edson tiller head years ago for "Emotional Rescue #303". The machining was so bad that the tiller was approximately a5 degrees to Port of center. The forward end of the tiller was actually over the Port seat. Prior to sending it back, i called Edson and described the condition caused by their poor machining and casting. They were not humble, apologetic and showed little concern. When they sent me a replacement, the tiller then was off center to starboard. I finally re-drilled the necessary hole for the thru-bolt. Very disappointed in their foundry division.

 

Ed Schroeder; the now demolished "Emotional Rescue"

 

On Wednesday, March 1, 2017 11:00 PM, Gordon Laco via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

 

I'm sorry to read your report.  

Have a look at Tern Boatworks' website.  They've got the capability to cast very good bronze fittings.  

Gord 426 Surprise 

On 2017-03-01, at 11:49 PM, Stephen Gwyn via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> I just bought a tiller head from Edson, as listed on
> http://www.alberg30.org/maintenance/Steering/TillerHead.html
> 
> It is very poorly made. It has almost as much side-to-side play as the 40+
> year old
> one it is supposed to be replacing. The part that goes on the tiller post
> is not square
> to the part that attaches to the tiller. The holes that one might use to
> through bolt
> it to the tiller don't line with each other.
> 
> I am going to try to return it. If that fails I've just bought a 400$ paper
> weight.
> 
> Does anybody know of another source for tiller heads?
> 
> Stephen
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