Greenie Bench Tube Size

[jjbuzard]

The problem is the hole, not the rib, that determines the bench tube size, this Greenie CANNOT accept 1 7/8" tubes, irregardless of the "rib", because the hole is too small.

[JPG]

The problem is the hole, not the rib, that determines the bench tube size, this Greenie CANNOT accept 1 7/8" tubes, irregardless of the "rib", because the hole is too small.

The rib is an indicator of what size tube was intended. The hole size is indeed a separate 'detail'.

I have to assume the smaller hole casting also has the longer rib.

I am very surprised that a 57 Greenie had 1 3/4" bench tubes. Perhaps part of trial run'?

[WorkinClass]

25 year journeyman machinist, learned an appreciation for turning wood at a young age from my father... Recent SS owner to play in my spare time. I picked up a very early '54 Greenie (S# 264***). And, the lower tubes don't appear to have ever been painted. There is the original green paint, same color as base, on the ends (sidewall) of the 1 7/8" (actually 1.887"-1.889" miked... a 1/64 bigger than 1 7/8"... might explain some people's fit issues). But the lower tubes look to be just cleaned up with like a 80 or 100 grit, bare metal. I don't think they ever had "gray" paint sanded off them, because the green paint on the ends is sharp to the corner. It's possible SS might have had an issue with rusting and started painting later in '54 or '55 (this is an Arizona machine and 100% rust free)...

[sehast]

Welcome to the forum. I had a Greenie but I never heard of any that had the bench tubes painted from the factory. My guess is that one of the previous owners did the deed but there are members here that are much more experienced than me. Maybe they will respond.

[dusty]

Welcome to the forum. I had a Greenie but I never heard of any that had the bench tubes painted from the factory. My guess is that one of the previous owners did the deed but there are members here that are much more experienced than me. Maybe they will respond.

Maybe not but could the painted bench tubes have their origin as a Goldie rather than as a Greenie? There was a period of time when the bench tubes were painted.

[terrydowning]

my 1955 Greenie had painted bench tubes (Until I cleaned them up)

[JPG]

Greenies anf Goldies both had painted bench tubes(metallic gray - sorta).

[WorkinClass]

These tube don't appear to have ever had paint sanded off of them. Color difference is from lighting and crappy phone cam, legs and ends of tubes are same color.

IMG_20171004_145020834.jpg (379.64 KiB) Viewed 8970 times

[JPG]

IMG_20171004_145020834.jpg

Question is, WHO painted the base casting with the bench tubes installed.

I do not think it was SS. Hence the absence of gray paint on the bench tubes is inconclusive.

[WorkinClass]

It's not over spray from being painted while assembled, the paint on the end is clearly defined and intentional. Just figured maybe someone knew about some other practices SS was exercising the first few months of production. This is the 1728th machine off the line in '54...