Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Here is a link to the waffle dog iron patent:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2696161.pdf

I've searched on the internet and can't find a Claude J Hicks in Wisconsin or nearby states so I'm assuming he's "departed".

I'm looking into pattern making which should lower the cost of the castings.

Stay tuned.

Cheers,

Gus

eamarquardt wrote:Here is a link to the waffle dog iron patent:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2696161.pdf

That looks like the electric version.

parnold wrote:

eamarquardt wrote:Here is a link to the waffle dog iron patent:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/2696161.pdf

That looks like the electric version.

Sure does but that's the patent number on the manual version also. I think the patent is actually for the waffle pattern supporting the sausage shape.

Cheers,

Gus

Interesting, kinda like double-mint gum. Two patents in one!

Any more word on the pattern making? and would it produce a final product the same size as the origional?

Bill

Hi,

I've contacted a real live professional pattern maker and he's generously offered to coach me through the process. So, I'll be visiting his shop soon and learn the ropes.

The upside of using the original as a pattern is that it makes the process easier. The downside is that the new castings will be about 1% smaller. I seriously doubt that anyone, other than one using a ruler or caliper, will ever notice that the reproductions are 1/16" shorter than the "real deal".

It will probably be summer time before I make any real progress. Getting ready for a lawsuit right now (against AT&T/Sedgwick CMS, the evil empire) and a few other high priority projects.

Stay tuned.

Gus

I still haven't located a real WD iron, so I'm still in. Darn close to closing a deal on my big trailer, which opens the door to buying a truck and cleaning and outfitting the Grasshopper for camping. So it's fine by me that it's not ready to roll right now.

Good luck with the lawsuit!! Hope you win!

Hi, any word on this? I'm still interested, if anyone else is.

Catherine

Hi,

I"ve been distracted and don't have the energy right now to pursue. I will call the Pieiron folks this week and see if they're interested in using their overseas supplier to produce them. It seems to me that adding the waffle dog iron to their product line would be a profitable thing to do. Also, after seeing some videos of folks using the irons at gatherings I think it would be better to relocate the hinge mechanism from the side to the end like the pie iron designs. It would be, IMHO, far easier to use with the hinges at the end of the iron versus the side.

http://www.pieiron.com/designs.htm

Will post what I learn.

Cheers,

Gus

Gus....I'd double think the hinge at the end of the iron. That makes the entire thing really long to fit on a stove, whereas on the side you can pre-heat both sides on 1 burner and the entire thing won't be 2x as long when opened. Without handles, right now it's 14" if hinged on the ends. Batter can also easily be poured into both sides and it can be closed up quicker with less run out issues. I have a cast iron one that was custom made from a mold taken off an original. It was just a quick knock off he only ran 5 of them, took some time with a die grinder to clean it up, but it does cook really well and holds the heat better than the aluminum. Way heavy however! Shown without handles.
Doug

doug hodder wrote:Gus....I'd double think the hinge at the end of the iron.....................................

Here are my thoughts:

All waffle irons have the hinges at the opposite end of the iron from the handles.
All of the Pie Iron products have the hinges opposite the handles. http://www.pieiron.com/designs.htm
No matter where the hinges are, if you pour batter in both halves yer gonna have to be a bit creative in closing the iron while not spilling the batter out. Maybe a little bit more awkward with the hinges at the end but I don't think it's a that major a deal.
I've watched the videos of youse guys using the original waffle dog irons and seen the efforts, such as using vice grips, to keep the irons closed while in use. I think having the hinges opposite the handles would help a lot.
It does make the assembly twice as long when open but the closed length of the waffle iron would remain the same. I think the improvement in keeping the iron closed during use would be worth dealing with the additional length when open.
I agree being able to heat both sides at the same time is a plus but the waffle dog iron is the only item of this type that has that feature. You can't do that with the PieIron products or waffle irons (unless you take the waffle iron apart and heat the halves on two separate burners.

I'll poke around a bit more this week. Getting the castings ($50 a set) isn't a big deal. Then you have to add the handles,drill out the hinges, and rivet the halves together. I think having jigs would make doing a lot easier and ensure the job is done right but I don't have the energy to make em right now.

Cheers,

Gus

Dean used vice grips as he way overstuffed the iron with too many ingredients. Others have had no keeping it closed issues.

Rather than change a design that works, wouldn't it be easier to simply drill and tap new holes for the handles that are located opposite of the existing hinges? Just a thought...

Kevin A wrote:Rather than change a design that works, wouldn't it be easier to simply drill and tap new holes for the handles that are located opposite of the existing hinges? Just a thought...

I was unaware for the reason clamps were being used due to "overload" as "all I know is what I read in the newspaper" and see on YouTube. Moving the handles to opposite the hinges would, though, give you a better mechanical advantage to hold the two halves together during "overloads".

As far as moving the handles goes: Excellent suggestion! That's certainly a viable option that would accomplish the same thing as moving the hinge opposite the existing handles. One might have to add some bosses for the extra meat needed to drill and tap for the handles but adding bosses to the pattern would be easy enough. Actually you could leave the current bosses there, add new bosses that are also drilled and tapped and then you would have the option of using the iron either way. A win/win!

I'll make some calls tomorrow.

Cheers,

Gus

The more I watch this ... the more I'm interested. I like the idea of having bosses for the handles either way.