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Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2018 9:00 pm
by PhilSC
Hi, everyone! I just bought a Mark V from a man who got it from his father, who only used it a few times. Serial number 79288, which I think means it was a 1982 product. I worked the pinions and the tilt on the tables. I started the headstock and it ran smoothly thru the speeds. There is light rust on the way tubes, but the table and headstock do move cleanly, if a little stiff. Might be missing a few bits, but I haven't taken a complete inventory yet.
I'd appreciate ideas on the best way to remove the light rust from the way tubes, down tubes, etc.
I have some rough carpentry experience, but I'm new to woodworking. I'd also appreciate suggestions for starter projects to get my feet wet.
Thanks in advance!

Re: Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2018 9:24 pm
by JPG
A picture of that 'light' rust will determine the action to be recommended.

Re: Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 11:24 am
by PhilSC
After considerable research, it looks like the best way to treat the light corrosion on the tubes is to clean it with crumpled aluminum foil and seal with a coat of paste was. I don’t want to risk damaging the tube plating with anything too abrasive. Anyone else done this? How well does it work? TIA!

Re: Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 11:58 am
by thunderbirdbat
Welcome to the forum. Have you looked at the sticky subjects at the top of the Maintenance and Repair section? They contain a lot of information for a new owner. In the Large Format Drawings post there is a link to labeled My Google Drive. In it there is a large document on rust that may be of interest.

Re: Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 12:17 pm
by dusty
PhilSC wrote:After considerable research, it looks like the best way to treat the light corrosion on the tubes is to clean it with crumpled aluminum foil and seal with a coat of paste was. I don’t want to risk damaging the tube plating with anything too abrasive. Anyone else done this? How well does it work? TIA!
Welcome to the forum.

You would have to get quite aggressive to do damage to the tubes. I use the light duty Scotch-Brite pads (dampened) to clean my tubes. Not just the Bench and Way tubes but also the table legs.

When done cleaning, I wipe them dry and put on a light coat of paste wax. I prefer Johnsons Original.

Re: Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 2:18 pm
by john_001
I used green Scotchbrite on the light rust on my bench tubes and it worked fine, and pretty fast. I've heard from car guys that crumpled aluminum foil dipped in Coca Cola works on chrome - it might be worth a try.

Re: Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 6:28 pm
by chapmanruss
Welcome to the forum,
You stated
Serial number 79288, which I think means it was a 1982 product.
That Machine was made in January 1981. As for the rust since it is light I agree with using the Scotchbrite pads followed with waxing all of the tubes.

Re: Just Bought a Mark V

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2018 5:06 pm
by PhilSC
Thanks for all of the suggestions! I've got some ScotchBrite pads, and some paste wax, so I'm going to give it a try. I also picked up some bronze wool and wet sanding paper in case that doesn't do the trick. I'm going to clean up with mineral spirits and paste wax with Johnson's Original. I'll let everyone know how it goes.