Shopsmith "referb"

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:02 pm

gat_76 wrote:lol, you tell me.
i am assuming that wax will do the job. actually, for the table top i was planning to use my can of topcoat and wax on way tubes....

lol, if i am missing something, do tell!

I don't know. Those are honest questions. I have never taken abrasives to a metal surface like that.

gat_76 · Post by **gat_76** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:40 pm

dusty wrote:I don't know. Those are honest questions. I have never taken abrasives to a metal surface like that.

o, i see.

ill just keep it coated. i remember i worked with a lock smith for a bit. he had a wooden tool box that a handful of tools went into. you could take a tool out of the box, use it, and put it back in. if you did not coat it (he used WD) then the next day there will be a thin layer of rust.

that story makes draws me to a couple of conclusions.
1) some metals react different in certain environment.
2) some tools are just like that. precise tools. but it takes less than 10 sec to wipe the top down every day i use it.
3) this is still not the case with this metal because when i got it, there were deep gouges that i never got to the bottom of while i was removing metal. if this were a metal prone to rust, they would have been HORRIBLE... but they were not.

i dont know a lot about the chemistry of metals, but this top seems to be stainless steel, which doesn't need a finish to keep it from quickly becoming a pile of red dust. on that note, it is softer than any knife i have ever sharpened. but, if it is made for a table saw, i dont reckon it would need a rigorous hardening process.

i did my thinking out loud on here. my conclusion is: it is stainless steel(or simular properties). but no matter what, i would have to neglect it for a long time, and leave it out side, before i would seriously worry about rust. i will keep it waxed (coated) to keep it slick and protected.

gat_76 · Post by **gat_76** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 6:41 pm

actually, now that i think about it. it is really freaking light for its size... i have changed my mind to: some kind of alloy

either way, it is not prone to quickly corrode.

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:00 pm

I believe the tables are aluminum as are most of the parts on the SS. That table looks very nice how did you get it to that point. I have never had much luck polishing the tables on my three machines and would love to know your secret??? I have polished up many of the other parts on the machine and they have stayed bright and shiny ever since so i don't think you will need to worry much about corrosion on the table just keep it clean and waxed and it will stay that way forever. Again very nice job.

gat_76 · Post by **gat_76** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:42 pm

the secret is the random orbital.
tomorrow it will be even more polished because i went to get a 5/16-18 tap, and found some 400 and 600 disks!!!!

anyway, thanks!! it took a lot of care. not all day, because the morning was spent refurbishing the carriage.

I scrapped the paint and "goo" off with a putty knife. then finished taking the high spots with scotchbright.

then i got the Ridgid 5" inch random. i used 80 grit on highest speed and plenty of pressure to take the face down enough to get out most of the scratches and gouges. three, slow passes

Then i used 240 in the same manner. you know, smothing out the scratches made by the 80. three, slow passes.

then it got agravating because at the time i could not get any higher grit for the orbital. so....

went over the whole thing one good time with 320 grit and machine oil.
twice with 1500 grit and water
and once with 2000 and water (you cant see what the 2 highest grits did per se, but you sure can feel the difference.)
then buffed with rubbing compound.

i cleaned with air after orbital, miniral spirits after oil, water after water... but when i got done, it was still dull and dirty. a simple cleaner/polisher (brasso) made it shine with one pass of a paper towel.

so tomorrow i will start with the 400 & 600, and repete the process. cant wait! might do it tonight

gat_76 · Post by **gat_76** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:52 pm

i just realized why everyone is so inclined to refurbish or restore shopsmiths.

because (obviously) carpenters use them, and if you enjoy turning a rough piece of wood into fine furniture, then you will enjoy turning a destitute pile of metal, into a shiny, perfectly operational tool.

thats my theory

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 8:50 pm

gat_76 wrote:i just realized why everyone is so inclined to refurbish or restore shopsmiths.

because (obviously) carpenters use them, and if you enjoy turning a rough piece of wood into fine furniture, then you will enjoy turning a destitute pile of metal, into a shiny, perfectly operational tool.

thats my theory

To say nothing of using it afterwards!:D

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:26 pm

Hey gat... First off, NICE JOB. It looks great!!!

Question. Are you at all worried the table may no longer be "flat"? I would think sanding with something smaller than the table might allow the sanding to remove more material in one area over another. We're probably talking minute differences, but am I just being way too overly cautious???

I've been tempted to do the same with an old table I have, but can't remember where I heard that the resulting table may no longer be flat...???

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:42 pm

Underdog wrote:Hey gat... First off, NICE JOB. It looks great!!!

Question. Are you at all worried the table may no longer be "flat"? I would think sanding with something smaller than the table might allow the sanding to remove more material in one area over another. We're probably talking minute differences, but am I just being way too overly cautious???

I've been tempted to do the same with an old table I have, but can't remember where I heard that the resulting table may no longer be flat...???

If I were to do this, I would only be concerned with eliminating high dings and oxidation. The dents do not restrict function(unless they are whoppers). A brass brushing polishes them quite nicely without removing significant material. I do think a mirror finish would be practical. JMHO;)

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:50 pm

LOL!!! I admit, I too think aluminum looks good in a mirror finish.