Dreis and Krump Chicago Pan and Box Break Refurb.

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

Hey all...it's been busy in the workshop. I'm nearing the 3rd. quarter mark on a big project that I'd like to share. In order to keep this manageable I'll cover it in installments.

So for the past 12 years I've been driving by a local metal recycler business, for the life of me I don't know why it took me so long to stop and check it out. Here's the first pick.

2xLarge utility carts with side rails...two of the rails needs some attention...but no biggie.

Also got some odd stamped stainless...funnel looking thingies...maybe for a meat grinder, not sure.

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

The red carts are what caught my eye that day that I decided to stop by. They were on top of a stack of other goodies being brought in on a semi. (appeared to have been a local AF Base haul). On that trailer was this too... introducing the Chicago break.

Here's the old girl with her "work clothes" on... 48in cap / 12 ga

It literally took me a week to come to relies that it needed to be saved...and I started thinking of having a metal fab dedicated spot in my shop.

You'll notice that there's a lot missing in the pic... I bought it on a Tuesday and couldn't pick-up till Saturday.... So, worrying that some parts could "wander off" I stripped everything that could be made loose quickly and took it home...so pick-up day it was pretty stripped down.

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

One of the reasons it took me so long to get it was that I needed to make an equipment cart that could handle this weight...I believe I've read that it weighs in at around 1700lbs...but I need to verify that. So, looking around at what I have available as rollers... I just so happen to have three sections of C-130 aircraft rollers that I picked up at a Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) many years ago.

10 foot long...cut it down to 7ft or so.

Info about the rails....the rails are aluminum, the roller is steel (ish) but does not rust..not sure.

I was going to make brackets to mount to the plywood ...but I need a shatload of hardware and I was running out of time.

I ended up locking the rails in with some wood blocks...meh...it worked ok

I hate to admit it...BUT, to fasten them I shot framing nails thru and bent over the ends...I'm not very proud of this if you can tell...!

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

So, my intentions for this break is to add it to my shop. I've been getting interested in metal fab lately and decided that this brake would be of great use to me on my Model A project and those "still" undiscovered...

I decided a face lift was needed and went about searching for a sandblaster. Now I've got some sandblasting capability but nothing at the scale that was needed here. The first bid I got (from a fella down the road) was for $350...just sandblasting. So, in my area $80 to $100 an hour is typical for basic sand...at that point I had no idea on a time estimate...but the paint was very loose throughout but under that paint was rust. I find another sandblast dude...

Sandblast Dude #2 is an older fella and has been doing it for a long time...had guy that now blasts for him due to health issues. I bring the item to his to view in person and make a bid. He says that he also paints. So I ask him to make his bid cover sandblasting, primer, and painting. He mulls it over and drops $400 on me, I counter at $300 and we settle at $350. We shake, and he reassures me that I'll get a good job for "$350".

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

I drop off the brake... it's on my trailer and on the equipment cart I made. Told the fella that he can blast on the trailer..just drop some tarps over the surrounding area..no problem. I had also bought all the paint supplies and expendables for the paint job. I also wrote out the mix ratios for the primer, and both paint colors...all is good and I'm set to pick it up in a week.
Wednesday I call him and he relays to me that the machine is blasted and in the barn but he's already 2 hrs. into the job (and he states that he gets $150 an hour for blasting) so he's gotta pull of the job, he's not going to make enough $$. I reply that we had a package deal set at $350 so I don't believe his $150 an hr. reference has any bearing on this situation. BUT, to keep the call uncontentious...I cut it short and tell him I'll come and get it Saturday.

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

So, knowing that pick-up was going to be "unpleasant" I started getting some information together. There was multiple ways this situation could play out...it was a verbal contract (lesson 1) put it in writing, don't be lazy like I was...a simple agreement to break out the particulars!
I knew that his expectation was for $300 and that he had 2hrs in the sandblasting. So I called 4 local blasters and came up with a range of $80 to $100 an hr. SO, based off of my "Idea of Fair" I was prepared to pay him $200. And as far as the remainder of the work goes...I'll do it.
As you can guess it was a short but tough negation but $200 was eventually handed over and I was told to leave (definitely not in those words!!)

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

Now I'm up $100 bucks I'm thinking... and after I drop my buddy off I decide that I need to drop by a store before I drive 45min home. Leaving the store I relize that I have a flat tire...side wall damage and all...what the heck??? I got to Pep Boys and spend $85 on a replacement tire... grumble, grumble.
Karma??? I don't know, I thought I did right by him and that I had not got petty with him at the end. Who knows.

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

I get home and figure out how to offload it with a chain hoist and a neighbor driving my truck out from under it (slowly) I have a lifting point to assist me with this...a little sketchy, but it worked.
Next, I call a buddy and borrow his Tip Brand HPLV turban sprayer (love em!) idiot proof!
My paint selection.. for hard wearing I select Neson 2pt epoxy primer, and Ultra-Thane 2K topcoat. One word about epoxy primers...very impressive product, tough as nails and almost feels like paint vs a typical lacquer primer. I got the primer done yesterday and today I completed the top coat grey.

quattro_sinko · Oct 15, 2017

Looking good. Early project hurdles successfully navigated. In for paint

Hounddog · Oct 15, 2017

For the fingers...I had broken the units down so all the components could be cleaned. I knew I was going to have to dress them up so they got blasted as well.

The sides that touch the metal sheet is a machine finish...no paint

Here's the natural color of these... My choice for grey is that I plan to buy some more vintage metal tools and decided that grey will be a good standard color for me.
I am missing one thing (so far) there's supposed to be an angle channel on the front as seen here.

I have yet to decide if mild steel will do or if it needs to be something stronger, thoughts??

mkat1951 · Oct 16, 2017

Looks great so far.

don long · Oct 16, 2017

I like the break and the fact that you cleaned it up and not just put it in the shop and forgot about it.
I have a 4' finger break but not as heavy as yours and my angle iron is on the lower lip and nothing special. It only pushes up on the panel being bent, no real strain that I can see

Hounddog · Oct 16, 2017

Hey Don... I just had to freshen it up. Was elated to have a chance to get it while staying within my weekly allowance....at least until I rolled up to the "Paint" counter. Geesh! Shot to hell.

Then.. while driving back from the pick-up I get a flat tire...sidewall on one of my trailer tires had a decent puncture...still scratching my head on that one.

synchro7 · Oct 18, 2017

I picked up one of these last week. In great shape except for some glopped on blue paint over the original green. And didn't paint the whole thing.

Hounddog · Oct 20, 2017

synchro7....good deal!!! Painting mine was a lot of work to get at all the angles...but so worth it. I ended up with a few surfaces that I had to do by hand...I cut a handle off a traditional brush and reached in there and made sure all surfaces was covered. Hope to share some significant pic updates this weekend!!

Dennis Leigh Henry · Oct 21, 2017

One of my first projects in 7th grade Shop Class (Industrial Arts) was some box and pan brake work.... making galleries for letter press printing....... Watching this thread with drool dripping from my jowls.....

Hounddog · Oct 22, 2017

Hey Dennis...drippage is good in all things! Well, almost all things!
UPDATE!!!!
Getting close to the final stretch... Guess wrap up will be next week.

...and the award for the most awkward part to paint goes to....this damn thing

finally got the opportunity to break out an early set of brass stencils.

I've got a few hours on these...hope it shows

All together again.

AND not pictured...the former "bent stop-rod"....is now straight, and repainted. More to follow...next week. Waddya think!

don long · Oct 22, 2017

That thing is starting to really take shape I love the yellow on grey look

Hounddog · Oct 23, 2017

Hey Don.. while I did appreciate the Companies original green color (Chicago D&K)... I'm hoping to pull some more equipment into the shop. My choice of grey was a safe one. I see you've been out buying yard treasures...it's a sickness as you know.

synchro7 · Oct 23, 2017

I painted mine back to the original green, pics soon.

Hounddog · Oct 23, 2017

I had initially removed the plates on the break so I could sandblast the area...figured I'd just refurb the plate and reapply. BUT, they still make'em so what the heck. I took the easy way out.
Now I've got to drill it and remount it.

I forget the proper name of the L-channel I was missing but I got it... I decided to eyeball it to determine how straight it was. Well, I could see it was a little off. I got it from D&K. I didn't have any machinist wire but I did have some casting line that I could get real tight... I checked it on two sides and stood it off with a penny on both ends... ( I can hear ya'lls eyes rolling!!!) I'm a 1/16 out at the middle both ways. I don't know the grade of the steel at the moment...unsure if it written on the invoice...but I doubt it. I guessing it's acceptable but I'm interested in any thoughts on the subject. With luck and proper placement of the holes for mounting I may be able to pull it out OR I make it worse either are possible outcomes with me....but I try.

Rennkafer · Oct 24, 2017

That's a great find... I have its little brother the L30 (3' 12ga). The fingers on mine appear to be a bit different, quite a bit longer than yours.

Hounddog · Oct 24, 2017

Metalmagpie....aka Rennkafer ????, HA! you found me... If not disregard...there's a fella on Practical Machinist that has the same machine as you.

12husky · Oct 25, 2017

I have one just like it in need of restoration. Thanks for the motivation and inspiration.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hounddog · Oct 29, 2017

Some movement on this project yesterday..
Finally moved in place and light assembly. I have a couple of clean-up tasks but I'm forced to do some shop re-organizing before I go any further...it's a wreck.

synchro7 · Oct 29, 2017

Pics of finished Chicago box and pan brake.

Hounddog · Oct 29, 2017

synchro7... Very nice, Love that Green!! The thumb screws are different, look a little wider than mine. And I should consider the wood runners that you have on yours. Did you happen to use the break on that avatar 5 window? I thinking I'll use mine to fab some of my floor (28 Ford)

synchro7 · Oct 29, 2017

Hounddog, The green is the original color for this brake. Instead of thumb screws mine has wing nuts welded to bolts. The wood runners make it easier to move. That thing weighs about 2000 lbs. No I didn't used it on the A. Believe it or not the only thing I've done to the A is build a new firewall, strip the paint, primer it. I've done no body work and it still has the original wood in it. I've owned it for 46 years. And it has been stored indoors since 1952, original Colorado car, basically zero rust. I did use the brake to bend up some trunk floor reinforcement repair pieces for a pals 63 Ford 300. Tom

Dennis Leigh Henry · Nov 1, 2017

Looking good..

I'm mixed on gray vs green.. SBL gray is what I currently use on my stuff that needs painting...

Dreis and Krump Chicago Pan and Box Break Refurb.

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member