The way tubes are 52" and the bench tubes are 52-3/4" long. Today both tubes are 1-3/4" diameter. On the early machines, the bench tubes were 1-7/8" diameter. Hope this helps.
Rob in San Diego
520, 10ER and Mini along with a bunch of other stuff.
restore rails or pipes that the stockhead runs on
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Quick tip: If you want those old tubes to shine and the headstock to glide across them, first treat them with Heavy Duty Machine Compound (a beige abrasive paste, available at auto parts stores.) Apply the compound with a rag, then buff with a felt wheel or pad. Follow this with Speedy Rubbing Compound (a white abrasive paste, available at the same place.) Once again, apply and buff. Finish with paste wax.
And a suggestion: WD-40 does not remove rust; all it does it float the rust particles away after you've dislodged them with steel wool. You can achieve the same thing with less expense using kerosene or mineral spirits. You might get better results with less work if you started with Naval Jelly or another chemical that was formulated to remove rust.
You can also make your own rust remover, or "chelator" as chemists call it. Mix one part black strap molasses to nine parts water. Paint the mixture on the rusty metal and let set for one or two days. Wash with tap water. If there is still some rust on the metal, repeat. It will take one or two applications of this homebrew chelator to remove a light rust patina, five or six to strip a surface that encrusted with rust. It takes longer, but it removes more rust with considerably less elbow grease.
With all good wishes,
And a suggestion: WD-40 does not remove rust; all it does it float the rust particles away after you've dislodged them with steel wool. You can achieve the same thing with less expense using kerosene or mineral spirits. You might get better results with less work if you started with Naval Jelly or another chemical that was formulated to remove rust.
You can also make your own rust remover, or "chelator" as chemists call it. Mix one part black strap molasses to nine parts water. Paint the mixture on the rusty metal and let set for one or two days. Wash with tap water. If there is still some rust on the metal, repeat. It will take one or two applications of this homebrew chelator to remove a light rust patina, five or six to strip a surface that encrusted with rust. It takes longer, but it removes more rust with considerably less elbow grease.
With all good wishes,
Nick Engler
http://www.workshopcompanion.com
http://www.workshopcompanion.com