Blue is now Black 55 SS ready for another 6 decades

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:47 am

From this
[ATTACH]17173[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]17172[/ATTACH]
To this after painting and bearings, it's almost like new(I've never used a new SS so I have nothing to compare against)
List of work done
Rust Removal: Removed the rust from the bench tubes and other items as well.
Paint: Rustoleum Hammered Black and Hammered Silver. I did not do a complete stripping, brushes and sandpaper to knock off any loose old paint and a good scrubbing, paint applied over the top. Hammered finish hides a myriad of flaws, and I highly recommend it.
New Bearings everywhere except idler (no luck there) Perhaps if I upgrade to polyV Belt and 2 bearing quill in the future. Simon Eng says he can get me the parts for $55.
New speed control including handle/knob. as the old one was in very rough condition after almost 50 years of use. I may send the old knob out for reconditioning. There is a size difference between the old and new and the new one while shiny, just doesn't look right.
Polished the aluminum.
Quill spring was intact so no work done there except general cleaning.
Gilmer clutch is functioning properly (believe it or not) so no work done there either.
Filed and refaced all lock wedges, and of course cleaning and waxing.

I am also slowly adding under cabinet storage. This cabinet was going to be thrown away/sold/discarded, so I re purposed it by cutting it down on the length and turning it sideways. I may yet build a different cabinet, we'll see. I still need to add some shelves/drawers and doors. Not quite a restoration certainly no MickyD restoration, but it suits my needs and it no longer annoys me.

I'm also considering a 510 upgrade I can do with quality used parts for under $300.

[ATTACH]17174[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]17175[/ATTACH]
And in my preferred configuration
[ATTACH]17176[/ATTACH]

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:00 pm

Great job! Love that black and silver. That was one of the color schemes I had contemplated for mine before settling on New Orleans Saints Black & Gold.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:09 pm

Believe it or not, it took me longer to decide on a paint scheme than it did to do the work. More than a year to finally commit, finally, availability of paint was my determining factor. The only colors available that I like in sufficient quantity, most places were absolutely averse to ordering for me. I'm sure it was employee laziness and poor customer service and not company policy, but some battles I'd rather not fight. At any rate, I'm pleased with the results and SWMBO is glad she doesn't have to see the old blue monster when she parks.

The straw that broke the camels back was when the bearings finally gave up the ghost. Noticed by rather loud squealing and pronounced out of round on a pen I was turning. Initially I thought I had bent my mandrel, but then when I went to take the mandrel off, the quill was moving up and down by at least an 1/8 inch. After 57 years, it was time for new bearings. I figured, now is the time to get it all done. Ordered the bearings, gathered my tools, bought the paint, and went to work. It took me 2 weekends and a couple hours a night during the week to get it all done.

mrhart · Post by **mrhart** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:09 pm

Thumbs up on the coor scheme

lightnin · Post by **lightnin** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:19 pm

Sweeeeeeet

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:17 am

Great Job, I really like the black and silver. However, when posting pictures of machines throw a little sawdust on 'em to give the impression that they are actually. used!:D
Bill V

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:22 am

In fact I had just finished using it and finished cleaning it off. I figured, It's out, It's clean, I'll finally snap some photos. I finished about a month ago.

For anyone rebuilding an older machine, I highly recommend replacing the bearings, wow what a difference.