[IndianaTrails] CANAL UPDATE--Heating, Hammering on the old bridge

[Dan McCain]

Straightening, Heating, Hammering and "Pack Rust" removal
 

The bridge crew worked recently in Delphi with another volunteer, Vern Mesler from Michigan, on the beginning of restoration for the Winamac/Stearns Bridge.  It was a fascinating learning process experiencing "pack rust" removal.  Vern has perfected this process from his years of working experience with historic bridges.  Many places along the chords the rust had actually expanded the plates and busted rivets.  Vern brought his rivet hammer and we provided the heating torch and more volunteers.  The City of Delphi provided their big portable air compressor.

 



Restoration volunteers (from left) Rollin Graybill, Vern Mesler and Ed Gruber

 

This heating and hammering does an amazing job of driving out the accumulated rust and closes the plate gap from years of weathering of these chords.  Altogether about 20 percent of the pack rust removal job was completed in two days so there is much more work yet for the local volunteers.  

 

The Canal Association will purchase a rebuilt rivet hammer so the crew will have this tool to use whenever the city's compressor is available.  Besides the hammering for rust removal this pneumatic hand tool will be used for re-riveting to complete the restoration of these original beams produced by the Winamac Bridge Company in 1905.

 

Each individual composite chord member to be restored is placed about 20 inches off the floor on timber blocks with the mid point higher and anchors in the concrete at each end tightened down to "stress" the metal.  This is a method of preventing warping from the heat needed in this pack rust removal process.  

 

Thanks to the Peters-Revington Furniture factory for providing the worksite on their unused huge concrete slab.  The location is just offside of the Underhill Towpath Trail back of Canal Park near the new trail tunnel beneath the railroad.  With summer heat looming a portable tent will provide shade for the volunteers to work their normal M-W-F morning hours. 

 



Heating carefully to avoid warping of the whole chord member

 



Flattening with an air hammer removes the rust accumulations

 



The 1905 Stearns Truss set over Big Monon Ditch in Pulaski County



Open the attached file that contains the Canal Newsletter with Festival events, etc.
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