1946 Atlas Model 53

[hpmachining]

I thought I would create a new post in this forum to show the progress on my drill press and maybe ask a few questions. I posted a few things in my introduction thread.

I've made a little progress cleaning it up. I've got the rust polished off the column and the handles. I used maroon Scotch-Brite, followed by 600 grit paper, then 0000 steel wool, all with WD-40 as lubricant. I put Turtle Wax on them after that. I did the same to the guide pins for the motor mount plate.

The table and base surfaces took a little more effort. I used an orbital palm sander, light touch with some 80 grit and WD-40 followed by 150 grit. I cut a piece of Scotch-Brite and put it under the sander after that, then hand polished a little with the 0000 steel wool.

I've been tediously trying to clean paint spatter off of the original finish. I think it's just latex paint. I've been using IPA to soften it a little and picking and scraping it off with a piece of plastic and a wooden skewer. I'm working on the head now

This brings me to my first question. Do you think boiled linseed oil would be a good thing to use on the painted surfaces once I am done cleaning them up? I've never used it before so I don't know what to expect from it. I would try it on a small inconspicuous spot if I went that route. Or maybe there is something better? I have to admit, using linseed oil makes me a little nervous with what I've read about it's propensity to spontaneously combust, but I think I can figure out how to handle that safely.

I'll post more pictures as I go.

 

[FrankLee]

My first priority is to preserve the original paint when possible.

My process is to spray with Grez-Off, scrub with a small nail brush, rinse, dry and wax. I've tried several degreasers and found Grez-Off to work the best. It's more expensive than others, but the results are worth it, imo.
Examples:

Craftsman Drill Press

and a look of a machine that may have missed a preventative maintenance along the way ... That is very, very typical.

www.garagejournal.com

Craftsman Drill Press

Thanks Frank! I had no idea so many models had the cover as an option!

www.garagejournal.com

If a painted part is lightly rusted, I follow-up Grez-Off with Barkeepers Friend.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press.227480/post-11679613https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press.227480/post-11646252

 

[Beerhippie]

I cut a piece of Scotch-Brite and put it under the sander

That's how I turn scratched-up old stainless sheet metal into a nice, brushed finish. I use Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish instead of WD 40.

I've been using IPA to soften it a little

I generally use the IPA to soften myself up a little.

Do you think boiled linseed oil would be a good thing to use on the painted surfaces once I am done cleaning

BLO will change the color of the paint a little. Here's an example:

Before BLO, after cleaning:



After BLO:

My process is to spray with Grez-Off,

Be careful!

I used Greez-Off on that DP above.

Before:



After:



I could see the paint running on that badge instantly on applying the Greez-Off. I hit it with hot water as soon as I saw that, and saved some of the paint/dye.

It also removed the paint from the data plate of the motor:





I'd sprayed the motor down with G-O before I started cleaning the painted parts of the DP, so by the time I noticed, it was too late.

 

[FrankLee]

My first priority is to preserve the original paint when possible.

My process is to spray with Grez-Off, scrub with a small nail brush, rinse, dry and wax. I've tried several degreasers and found Grez-Off to work the best. It's more expensive than others, but the results are worth it, imo.
Examples:

Craftsman Drill Press

and a look of a machine that may have missed a preventative maintenance along the way ... That is very, very typical.

www.garagejournal.com

Craftsman Drill Press

Thanks Frank! I had no idea so many models had the cover as an option!

www.garagejournal.com

If a painted part is lightly rusted, I follow-up Grez-Off with Barkeepers Friend.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press.227480/post-11679613https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-drill-press.227480/post-11646252

Yeah, I should have mentioned above that I always(?) remove all badges and only use Meguiars Cleaner wax on badges.

 

[hpmachining]

My first priority is to preserve the original paint when possible.

That's what I'm trying to do, too. Thanks for all the links. Lots of good stuff there to look through.

only use Meguiars Cleaner wax on badges

I have some of that home. I'll give it a try.

I generally use the IPA to soften myself up a little.

With your user name, I would expect nothing less . I wasn't even thinking about beer when I posted. Thanks for all the pictures and warning.

That's how I turn scratched-up old stainless sheet metal into a nice, brushed finish. I use Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish instead of WD 40.

I'll have the give that a try. Is just the Scotch-Brite, Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish enough or do you use sandpaper first to get out deeper scratches?

 

[Beerhippie]

Is just the Scotch-Brite, Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish enough or do you use sandpaper first to get out deeper scratches?

Just the Scotch Brite (maroon) and Mother's on an ROS--and lots of elbow grease.

It's how I made this backsplash





out of boneyard scrap.

IIRC, I used about half a tub of Mother's on that.

 

[hpmachining]

@Beerhippie that looks great! Nice job salvaging a piece of scrap.