Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT 1950s Craftsman Garage retro remodel

[Red Leader]

Thanks Shoottx, I have the DVD that someone made up and sold on EBay for a while. Will look at the 54 and see if the picture is there.

Thanks again
Randall

Randall,

Curious...anything on 1958?

 

[Red Leader]

By the way guys, sorry I have been neglecting this thread. I am still around! House projects, work, and other things keeping me busy.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers - CO has been having some serious flooding issues these past few days. I'm over at a friends house now trying to help vacuum out their basement. They've been at it all day long. We have to do what we can because we can't go rent anything because nothing is available because everyone is flooded right now.

 

[Alexbn921]

Read and subscribed. I started making over my garage last month and thought, I should look online for ideas. It is amazing the time and effort that you have put into you shop. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me to spend more time out in my favorite room in the house. Love the old tools. They where made so much better back in the day. I'm looking forward to reading more about your progress and starting my own tread. I just need a good name. Well wishes for the flooding. I hope that all your hard work will not be destroyed.

 

[Tbucit]

Hope things are going your way Red Leader, it looked to be a real mess out there.
I looked at the 1958 catalog and that tool cabinet has the perforated back (maybe pegboard?). The earlier one were all metal construction.

I now understand that Craftsman never offered this cabinet stocked as they did with the mechanics cabinet. It was just suggested tools that would fit.

So the search is still on to find the tools for these cabinets.

Randall

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks guys. We are doing OK. This past weekend was crazy. Our street was almost a river! Fortunately the house is fine. We have a basement, but it has a floating sub-floor and underneath was still dry, which was really, really good. We've been hearing about a lot of people who are not in the flood path whose sump pumps have been running like crazy. We actually don't even have a sump pump - but so far we haven't needed one.

My friends in Golden weren't so lucky. Their basement flooded. I spent a day over there helping them and saw water just seeping into their basement with almost no end. It went on for probably a few days.

All that said, there are a lot of people that have had it a lot worse. A lot of folks have been displaced. We had friend over yesterday who said that they know someone who up to this point lived in Jamestown. She was told that she wouldn't have normal access back to her house for a year (with a normal car). Crazy stuff.

 

[HSpencer]

Our hearts go out to our friends in CO. Seeing the media news and such it is just unimaginable what people there are going through. I viewed some photos on Rense the other day and my jaw dropped at the terrible damage the waters have caused. The losses are so hard to conceive of. Everyone in CO is much in our prayers and we hope some kind of recovery can come to all of this devastation.

Best Wishes to all of you.
Herb Spencer

 

[WickedGoodOutdoors]

Would anyone have an estimate of the value of the Gold Craftsman Table saw?
I have the identical saw with the same stand that belonged to my grandfather.
With original Fence and Miter. It does have a brand new motor that I have yet to install.

 

[bisley45]

Would anyone have an estimate of the value of the Gold Craftsman Table saw?
I have the identical saw with the same stand that belonged to my grandfather.
With original Fence and Miter. It does have a brand new motor that I have yet to install.

those Craftsman saw go very cheep around my neck of the woods. about 100.00 or less I have one that I got at a garage sale for 35.00. hope this helps

 

[malibulvr]

WOw, this thread has been awesome to say the least, I really loove all the older restored tools. I was just looking for a table saw recently and probably came across 10 of those older Craftsman's, the only problem was that none of them had the extension tables. I ended up buying a newer model, 70s vintage that had both tables.
I noticed the sewing machine arear of the thread, lol. Crazy because look what just popped into my C-list search on my phone for tools:

http://rochester.craigslist.org/ele/4119596339.html

There are more than a few that spell it that way...

What types of paint do you use for your tool finishes, they look pretty beefy?

 

[one80auto]

Just finished reading your whole thread....spread out over a few nights thank goodness. Awesome stuff, really inspiring! For some reason most of your new pictures for the last 30-40 pages stopped showing up, but all the older ones before about a year ago are still good. Keep it up the great work and thanks for sharing it all for us to see.

 

[Red Leader]

Thanks everyone for your continued dedication to this thread! It is still alive!

Also, thanks for the heads up about the recent pictures - I checked Fotki and sure enough pictures are not showing up in the albums...??? I have no idea why. It still recognizes that they are there, but they are not appearing. I'll have to look into that more.

The news (any news) is that I've been getting a little more organized out there. I finally pulled everything out of my two Artcrest cabinets and reorganized them. I pulled my big Craftsman Accra-Arm radial saw cabinet base underneath my workbench and tore apart the Red Star RAS. It is still kind of messy but it has currently been having to serve more roles than just a pretty garage. I've got a 'tool storage' area, as well as some project out there that are taking up some space, including the sewing machine. I really would like to find time to start working on the ceiling as well, as I have some of the materials for that. The budget has been pretty much non-existent for the garage, which slowed things down as well. As soon as I can get some more wood, I can continue building the storage shelving underneath they garage door. Once that is done, I can continue on the ceiling. Organization is an ongoing battle. Wish me luck

 

[Red Leader]

So hopefully the images are safe and them not showing up is just temporary...

http://journals.fotki.com/fotkicom/fotkiblog/entry/wsqbqgwrwddws/



I guess we'll see soon....

 

[tinbender 66]

Thanks everyone for your continued dedication to this thread! It is still alive!

Also, thanks for the heads up about the recent pictures - I checked Fotki and sure enough pictures are not showing up in the albums...??? I have no idea why. It still recognizes that they are there, but they are not appearing. I'll have to look into that more.

The news (any news) is that I've been getting a little more organized out there. I finally pulled everything out of my two Artcrest cabinets and reorganized them. I pulled my big Craftsman Accra-Arm radial saw cabinet base underneath my workbench and tore apart the Red Star RAS. It is still kind of messy but it has currently been having to serve more roles than just a pretty garage. I've got a 'tool storage' area, as well as some project out there that are taking up some space, including the sewing machine. I really would like to find time to start working on the ceiling as well, as I have some of the materials for that. The budget has been pretty much non-existent for the garage, which slowed things down as well. As soon as I can get some more wood, I can continue building the storage shelving underneath they garage door. Once that is done, I can continue on the ceiling. Organization is an ongoing battle. Wish me luck

I hear ya on the "time, money, house work, budget stuff". Keep at it, it'll happen!

 

[Red Leader]

I hear ya on the "time, money, house work, budget stuff". Keep at it, it'll happen!

Thanks Paul, I appreciate it. The garage is getting some good use, though, especially this weekend. I'm building a closet to house all the baby stuff, especially since #2 is almost here!

Maybe soon I'll try and borrow my neighbor's laser level to start the work on the suspended ceiling.

 

[noelalford]

I tried to pm you but I don't think it works for me. Anyhoo, you might find this interesting.


http://bham.craigslist.org/tls/4183536706.html

 

[Red Leader]

I tried to pm you but I don't think it works for me. Anyhoo, you might find this interesting.


http://bham.craigslist.org/tls/4183536706.html

Wow, cool!

Reminds me of a garage I saw here a year or two ago - Fritz knows what I'm talking about!

A gentleman put up an ad on C/L selling a bunch of tools. It's as if his father went out in 1958 and purchased an entire shop of power bronze Craftsman tools - radial arm saw and cabinet base, 100 series drill press, 100 series table saw, 1/2 hp industrial grinder...all in excellent condition. It was awesome. That is where I found my Craftsman tool chest. Thanks again Fritz!

 

[Red Leader]

I recently got back from our 6th CO Fest and we had our biggest one yet! Thanks so much to everyone that attended! It was a blast! I saw Nancy taking pictures and if some get posted up on the other forum I will link them up over here. My friend Keith whose house burnt down in the Black Forest fire was there as well and is doing great. We have a great community with awesome individuals! I am enriched from such an event.


Plus...I've got something new in the garage. Hmmmmmm



I'll try to assemble it and show it to you soon. It was a quest item

-RL

 

[Shoottx]

It must be that time of year, Texfest was at Jaimies in Austin Yesterday

A few pictures on that other site.

Hope all is well!

 

[Red Leader]

It must be that time of year, Texfest was at Jaimies in Austin Yesterday

A few pictures on that other site.

Hope all is well!

Thanks! We had a solid showing, our best yet, actually. Great, real salt-of-the-earth people for sure. We've got a great group, I'm all the better for knowing them. One of our members is hoping to get pictures up soon.

As far as my 'new item', I'll try to get some time this weekend to get out there, clean up the garage and assemble it Gotta get those closet shelves done first!

 

[Red Leader]

Well,

Finally got the closet done! Here is what that looks like:

This house is an interesting challenge to work on, because there is no right angle or level surface/wall/etc in the entire place. Some walls are actually visibly off. For example, those shelves in the 'cubby' area of the closed had to be shaved down 1/2" on one end over the course of 26" to mate up with the wrong angles of the closet. Some walls and sections are so off I can't help but think people were on drugs when they built it

SO...after all the grunt work it meant I got to play with the 'fun stuff' :

Can anyone picture what this is going to become?????










WHAZAAM!!!

The 1950's Craftsman Garage finally has a Craftsman 6x48 belt/disc sander with pedestal base and belt guard from, err, the 1960s


I was willing to cheat a little on this one because these things are just so dang hard to find. For some reason, they just don't come around - at least with the pedestal base. I've never seen one for sale out here (at least in the last few years). This one came from Ambler, PA. I don't really have any numbers on how many of the pedestal bases were sold, but they were offered for quite some time, along with the other pedestal type bases. What is interesting to note is that the pedestal base and the belt guard were sold separately (for approx $30 and $6, respectively), so I'm sure that not every pedestal base purchase included a belt guard. I'm loving having both!!! Thanks so much Travis!!!

This part right here is the most valuable part of the entire thing. Crazy!

This is a Craftsman 'Crown' logo tool, which means 1960s. Bluebolt, you can hate

Right now it does not have an appropriate vintage motor or switch. That will be remedied at some point in the future. I'm going to rig up a 'powr-panl' to a late 1950s-1960s Craftsman motor and we'll be in business.

Also, I've already started the restoration on this bad boy. I want to be able to use it right away and have it functional and looking good. It will be a FAST resto. I've already wire-wheeled, primed and painted the base ensemble in a hammered gold finish and its looking great. Here is where I am at with the actual sander:

This sander came apart very easy (though I am not completely done with the teardown) and I am impressed with its robust design. The older 1950's sander models had metal rollers covered in urethane/rubber and some over time either wore down or disintegrated. These ones are cast aluminum and permanently crowned. I'm diggin' it.

My hope is to get the roller spindles apart tomorrow, clean things up, prime, and get the rest of this bad boy painted up. The bearings seem fine for now, but they should be an easy replacement and are very easy to get at when it needs to be done (which won't be put off for too long).

One quest machine off the list! Standby for some restoration pictures to come!

-RL

 

[Wingnut65]

Can anyone picture what this is going to become?????


-RL

Updates to the 1950s Craftsman Garage thread?? Awesome!

That is a cool setup. It looks like it all fits so well together that they should have been a package deal in the catalog. That will be one handy tool when you get it running!

As for the house, it just has personality! How normal are straight walls and 90 degree corners? Yours just has more character...

BTW, I have one and a half rooms to finish repainting and then I get to play in the garage again! Glad you have finished your honey-dos to get back to yours!

 

[Red Leader]

Updates to the 1950s Craftsman Garage thread?? Awesome!

That is a cool setup. It looks like it all fits so well together that they should have been a package deal in the catalog. That will be one handy tool when you get it running!

As for the house, it just has personality! How normal are straight walls and 90 degree corners? Yours just has more character...

BTW, I have one and a half rooms to finish repainting and then I get to play in the garage again! Glad you have finished your honey-dos to get back to yours!

Jeff, thanks for your thoughts.


The list of projects never quite ends, but I've found some ingenious ways to keep it working on the side of garage/tools/vintage stuff/etc, mainly by accident:

1. House project constitute use of old, vintage tools, including ones I still need to buy

2. Tool projects are in the way of other tools and general work space, so the only way to access the working tools to finish house projects is to finish the tools that still are in 'project' status.


You're welcome

 

[bluebolt]

This is a Craftsman 'Crown' logo tool, which means 1960s. Bluebolt, you can hate

-RL

I have two of them LOL. A powerbronze on the sheetmetal stand for only $25and one on a pedestal.

I really need to get some cleanup done and update the Craftsman Crown thread.

 

[texasOFT]

Red Leader a lot your photos are still not showing up - Is there a software glitch?

 

[Red Leader]

Alright guys, its been a good day for arn!

I was tired of looking at that old 18" Craftsman band saw sitting in the corner of the garage. I got that thing 3 years ago, and kept telling myself I'd get it up and running.

Well, today was the day to get it together!

Here is an 'in process' shot:

I had to re-wire some of the electrical because I forgot the coupler box that attaches to the outside of the motor. A big hurdle was figuring out how to get the tires (new) on the bare wheels. I found a decent technique.

I started wrapping the tire around the wheel and every 4 inches or so, I would just wrap duct tape around the wheel to hold the tire on, and keep working it a little further - picture working a tire on with tire irons and you'll get the idea.

I then razor bladed the excess rubber off and things were looking good!

After attaching the bottom wheel, doing the top wheel, I replaced the blade and adjusted the guides, which took a while -

This is, of course, with know real knowledge or experience of exact how to do this. I'll read up on it to make sure I did it right. Also, things are, as you can see, still a little 'ugly'...but we're not trying to make her look pretty yet. Just up and running. It has been a hurdle for 3 years and as long as the saw is serviceable, I'll have gotten over the hill, so to speak. The saw will still need bearings, but having the ability to flip the switch and cut wood will be a great feeling!

Here she is, complete and ready to go:

Now, I just need to wire up a 20A breaker to my box. I've got the outlet, but the breaker remains. That is all that's left. That, and 2 teeny tiny little screws to attach the 'Craftsman' plate back to the saw


Also, here is the update on the sander - got the base painted, and tonight I prepped all the small bare metal bits. I will wire wheel the sander castings and try to get some paint on them this week. It is a pretty straightforward restore, but still taking time.

Freshly painted stand:

Metal bits (prior to cleaning up):

Casting pieces ready for prep:

I've got a ton of other projects in the wings...a couple of Porter Cable sanders, the Red Star, the art deco Craftsman grinder...I'm just glad there is some movement happening finally

 

[Red Leader]

I have two of them LOL. A powerbronze on the sheetmetal stand for only $25and one on a pedestal.

I really need to get some cleanup done and update the Craftsman Crown thread.

Ha, figures! We never get these sanders out here so when something comes through you gotta do what you can

Regarding the pedestal bases, they are pretty cool. A bit tippy, but cool. Right now I'm considering if I want to pick up a lathe pedestal base in hope of a future Craftsman wood lathe. Ideally, I'd love to find an original Craftsman enclosed sheet metal lathe base that was offered in their early 1940s catalogs, but it basically falls one step short of 'nonexistent'

 

[Red Leader]

Red Leader a lot your photos are still not showing up - Is there a software glitch?

I think Fotki is trying to migrate servers or something funky. I looked into it and hopefully Dec/Jan is the target to have all their stuff moved over.

There are so many pictures in this thread...I have no idea what I would do if they all just disappeared

 

[xclusivegarage]

I found this very nice vintage craftsman 8" table saw here in Houston. The saw does not appear to have been used much at all. It has original left and right cast iron extension wings, rip fence, original craftsman motor (which runs perfectly) and mount, dado blade, moulding head (with original table insert) and original miter guage. All internals are in excellent condition. Elevation and tilt are very smooth and there are NO missing teeth in the mechanisms.

 

[xclusivegarage]

More pic of the vintage craftsman 8" table saw in Houston.

 

[xclusivegarage]

I found this interesting! A guy in Conroe Texas (outside of Houston) has an industrial planer made by craftsman in 1950, this is a work horse . Model number 112 23490.

They just don't make them like this anymore.

 

[aggierailroad]

More pic of the vintage craftsman 8" table saw in Houston.

Damn you, you bought that out from under me (I think!).

No worries, I just got one today! Good to know who my Craigslist competition is now

 

[Red Leader]

Damn you, you bought that out from under me (I think!).

No worries, I just got one today! Good to know who my Craigslist competition is now

Haha! You know there is a saying, if you can't beat em...


Actually, there is quite a bit of truth in that statement! We have about 30 people on our local Denver OWWM email list. When one of us finds a really great deal that we ourselves are not super interested in, we pass it on to the group. Plus, since some of them are Delta folks, while others are Walker Turner folks, and others are Craftsman folks (like me), it means you actually get a bunch of eyes out there looking for stuff that you're trying to find, and visa versa.

In the past year, we've had a $25 State oscillating spindle sander, a *free* Craftsman cabinet saw (like mine), a $60 Delta jointer on art deco cast iron base and a bunch of other amazing deals I can't think of right now.

And nope, I didn't get any of them haha! But! My Craftsman cabinet saw was found by a member that alerted it to me (thanks Nancy!) When you pool your resources, your arn finding powers increase exponentially. Don't work against yourselves! Join forces! Fight the fight together!

 

[Red Leader]

I found this interesting! A guy in Conroe Texas (outside of Houston) has an industrial planer made by craftsman in 1950, this is a work horse . Model number 112 23490.

They just don't make them like this anymore.

That is a Craftsman badged Parks planer. They are decently common, but a solid planer. You can find parts for them and there are a TON of resources for them. They are a great way to get into arn if you are worried about parts or documentation.

Me? Nope, I'm intentionally making it harder for myself by liking and trying to find the Craftsman-badged 306 belsaw planer that doesn't exist

 

[xclusivegarage]

Damn you, you bought that out from under me (I think!).

No worries, I just got one today! Good to know who my Craigslist competition is now

LOL! Its all yours AGGIERAILROAD! I didn't buy it! Just wanted to share the find! Let me know how it went after you get it! I love to see vintage craftsmen tools used and restored!!

 

[xclusivegarage]

Haha! You know there is a saying, if you can't beat em...


Actually, there is quite a bit of truth in that statement! We have about 30 people on our local Denver OWWM email list. When one of us finds a really great deal that we ourselves are not super interested in, we pass it on to the group. Plus, since some of them are Delta folks, while others are Walker Turner folks, and others are Craftsman folks (like me), it means you actually get a bunch of eyes out there looking for stuff that you're trying to find, and visa versa.

In the past year, we've had a $25 State oscillating spindle sander, a *free* Craftsman cabinet saw (like mine), a $60 Delta jointer on art deco cast iron base and a bunch of other amazing deals I can't think of right now.

And nope, I didn't get any of them haha! But! My Craftsman cabinet saw was found by a member that alerted it to me (thanks Nancy!) When you pool your resources, your arn finding powers increase exponentially. Don't work against yourselves! Join forces! Fight the fight together!

RED LEADER I am on board with sharing finds and helping with leads! If I see or find anything that I think is relevant to the 1950's Craftsman Garage thread I always feel compelled to share it. Keep up the great work, thanks for the info on the planer and I can't wait to get new updates and pictures on that 1950's craftsman garage of yours!

 

[Red Leader]

RED LEADER I am on board with sharing finds and helping with leads! If I see or find anything that I think is relevant to the 1950's Craftsman Garage thread I always feel compelled to share it. Keep up the great work, thanks for the info on the planer and I can't wait to get new updates and pictures on that 1950's craftsman garage of yours!

It really does help! Thinking back to the tools that I have, many of them have been found with help. The Cabinet saw, the scroll saw, the art deco grinder, the pedestal sander...wouldn't have those if it weren't for the help of others.

I appreciate your kind words. I'll have more pictures up tonight or tomorrow - I now have all the parts to the sander prepped and were will be ready to rock and roll with the primer and paint tomorrow! Things are moving along!

 

[Red Leader]

Just thought I would share with you a resto that caught my eye from the 'other' forum:

The reason why I am putting this here is that I have been searching for a good surf/seafoam green paint for tools for a while with very little luck. This to me looks about perfect. It is Rustoleum Sage Green, available at the big box stores. I've probably seen the can before, but the lid sample did not impress me. This, however, looks fantastic.

Just in case anyone else is looking for a color like this for their restos, there you go. I can guarantee you this color is going to get used on a few tools in my garage. Love it!

-RL

 

[Red Leader]

From all of us...erm...one crazy tool/vintage stuff nerd...


Happy Thanksgiving!


Feeling very blessed over here at the 1950's Craftsman Garage. I hope you are as well.

Have a great and safe time with friends and family



(Oh, and I got the sander painting done! Pictures to follow!)

 

[Red Leader]

Alright, here is the promised update!

I got the sander parts stripped and prepped -

I then did some painting, using the Rustoleum Hammered gold color. It is a decent match for power bronze. I had about 2x 3/4 cans to do it. Well, it looks like I'm going to have to get another can! I was busy eeking out the very last of the cans on the parts when I realized I had completely forgotten to include a motor support bracket (that will need some bondo - it is pitted).

That's okay though, I'm thinking of redoing the belt cover. I'm not super happy with it (it is okay, but could be more uniform). But here is where I am at now -

So the real question is... can you tell how filthy the garage is???


This is not a concours resto...I am trying to get it together fast so I can keep the motivation up and have it together versus being a project for 2 years. It will still be done well, but time/budget constraints mean that I cannot do everything I really want to with it (or any of the other tools).

However, forward progress is forward progress. I'll take that

 

[bluebolt]

Ha, figures! We never get these sanders out here so when something comes through you gotta do what you can

Regarding the pedestal bases, they are pretty cool. A bit tippy, but cool. Right now I'm considering if I want to pick up a lathe pedestal base in hope of a future Craftsman wood lathe. Ideally, I'd love to find an original Craftsman enclosed sheet metal lathe base that was offered in their early 1940s catalogs, but it basically falls one step short of 'nonexistent'

The sanders rarely turn up around here. I was looking at a Crown one at a pawn shop for around $200 when I found the power bronze one buried in an auction warehouse 15 miles away. Town was having flea market in the closed off downtown streets. I had taken a quick look in the warehouse and when was leaving when I saw a flash of gold. Owner said it ran and wanted $100, plugged it up and no go LOL. I asked how much for it as is and he said $25, I also picked up a 9" power bronze table saw that had a broken motor mount and stripped lift gears for $25, worth it for the good running 1HP motor, cast iron wings and pedestal stand.