A Replacement Hein-Werner OS S/N Plate

[cegreen]

A few months ago, I picked-up an old H-W O'Boy OS. Inspired by Elroy's H-W re-build threads, I plan to give it some TLC after I'm done with several other tool and machinery re-builds I'm currently working on.

All things considered, the S/N plate on my jack is not in bad condition, but because some of my other projects will need similar kinds of plates, I decided to see if I could create a replacement.

I scanned the original plate at 1200 ppi, and then spent about 10-12 hours working with Photoshop to repair the damage. I poked around on the Web and found someone who could make a very high-quality plate and was willing to do one-off's at a reasonable price.

I received the finished plate today, and am very pleased with the result. I'll have to stamp the serial number and drill the mounting holes, so I ordered two copies, just in case (the right-hand image is a low-res version of the digital file I sent to the plate-maker, but the finished plate is virtually indistinguishable from it):

This was as much an exercise in seeing if I could do it as anything else. As in all re-builds and restorations, there is the thorny choice between retaining the true original and its patina on the one hand, and making the tool like-new on the other. I haven't decided yet whether I'll keep the original or use the new one.

-Chris

 

[Hiball]

Looks Nice, Do you mind me asking who you had do it and what it cost? I have numerous customers who would be interested in something like this. And whats the possibility of you sending/selling me the photoshopped digital plate?

Steven

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Steven, from the looks of that plate, you might need to check into getting him to make up plates for Lincoln and Walker jacks also.... those would look very nice.

 

[Hiball]

Steven, from the looks of that plate, you might need to check into getting him to make up plates for Lincoln and Walker jacks also.... those would look very nice.

Im gonna give it a try when i get home, Im somewhat Photoshop literate.

 

[billymade]

Adobe Illustrator would be a great program to redo the artwork in; you have much more control using vector artwork!

 

[ears]

Looks Nice, Do you mind me asking who you had do it and what it cost? I have numerous customers who would be interested in something like this. And whats the possibility of you sending/selling me the photoshopped digital plate?

Steven

The OP could probably get more copies made cheaper then sell them to you, instead of a seperate order from you.

To the OP I am with Hiball would love to hear more about this. There are a few things I would be interested in having plates made for.

 

[mjozefow]

Just contact A_Pmech. He did some awesome plates for his DoAll. I don't know if he does this style though.

 

[FoMoCoPower]

Hmmm,I just picked up an OS and the plate is missing...

 

[blueflame6]

Double Hmmmmmmmm...........no name plate on my OS either. Fudge a s/n?..........

 

[cegreen]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your interest. Let me provide a bit more detail about what went into creating the new plate.

Having come-up with a possible approach, I spent the better part of a day testing various tools and techniques, researching the availability of suitable fonts, comparing the relative merits of raster vs. vector, etc. I eventually came to the conclusion that a) the approach would work, and b) a raster image made the most sense (I’ll be happy to explain this in more detail if anyone is interested).

Over the next two days, I spent about 6-8 hours a day doing the time-consuming, tedious, and painstaking work of repairing the image. As always, there is a big difference between doing something and doing it well, and this was no exception.

Corrections were required that probably would not occur to a casual observer, and, despite the many widespread misconceptions about Photoshop’s capabilities, there is no tool or technique that can magically do this kind of clean-up with the wave of a wand or the click of a mouse.

I have several thousand hours of Photoshop experience, and hundreds of hours working on detailed restorations of high-resolution historical photographs, and this experience was a great help.

After the image clean-up was finished, I spent the better part of another day researching plate-making vendors, materials, technologies, processes, and costs.

All of this is why, while I don’t mean to be cantankerous, I’m not interested in simply giving away my knowledge, time, effort, and expertise so that someone else can profit from it.

This forum has provided me with very valuable information that is not available anywhere else, and I ‘d like to do my part to contribute to the community. I enjoy giving old tools and machinery new life and saving them from the scrap heap. I also enjoy doing this kind of image restoration work, and I think I’m good at it.

Having said that, though, I’m not in a position where I can do work like this for free. I don’t expect to make a lot of money, but I do need to get a little something for my efforts. A new version of Photoshop is coming out, for example, and an upgrade is $350. You get the idea.

I would like to help those in need of replacement plates by providing an affordable, high-quality product, and I’ll be happy to discuss any reasonable proposal for a mutually-beneficial business arrangement toward that end.

Also, if you think you might like to have a replacement plate made, it would be really helpful if you could post a picture of the plate here, just so I can get a better idea of the interest level and the depth and breadth of the technical issues involved.

-Chris

 

[Hiball]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your interest. Let me provide a bit more detail about what went into creating the new plate.

Having come-up with a possible approach, I spent the better part of a day testing various tools and techniques, researching the availability of suitable fonts, comparing the relative merits of raster vs. vector, etc. I eventually came to the conclusion that a) the approach would work, and b) a raster image made the most sense (I’ll be happy to explain this in more detail if anyone is interested).

Over the next two days, I spent about 6-8 hours a day doing the time-consuming, tedious, and painstaking work of repairing the image. As always, there is a big difference between doing something and doing it well, and this was no exception.

Corrections were required that probably would not occur to a casual observer, and, despite the many widespread misconceptions about Photoshop’s capabilities, there is no tool or technique that can magically do this kind of clean-up with the wave of a wand or the click of a mouse.

I have several thousand hours of Photoshop experience, and hundreds of hours working on detailed restorations of high-resolution historical photographs, and this experience was a great help.

After the image clean-up was finished, I spent the better part of another day researching plate-making vendors, materials, technologies, processes, and costs.

All of this is why, while I don’t mean to be cantankerous, I’m not interested in simply giving away my knowledge, time, effort, and expertise so that someone else can profit from it.

This forum has provided me with very valuable information that is not available anywhere else, and I ‘d like to do my part to contribute to the community. I enjoy giving old tools and machinery new life and saving them from the scrap heap. I also enjoy doing this kind of image restoration work, and I think I’m good at it.

Having said that, though, I’m not in a position where I can do work like this for free. I don’t expect to make a lot of money, but I do need to get a little something for my efforts. A new version of Photoshop is coming out, for example, and an upgrade is $350. You get the idea.

I would like to help those in need of replacement plates by providing an affordable, high-quality product, and I’ll be happy to discuss any reasonable proposal for a mutually-beneficial business arrangement toward that end.

Also, if you think you might like to have a replacement plate made, it would be really helpful if you could post a picture of the plate here, just so I can get a better idea of the interest level and the depth and breadth of the technical issues involved.

-Chris

Thanks for your explanation.

BTW, For future references to all GJ members... Since ive been here at Gj ive fielded numerous questions about Jack repair publicly and via PM, Created 2 complete teardown threads so you can fix your own jacks. I enjoyed helping everyone but after carefull consideration ive come to the conclusion that im giving my 20 years of experience away for free. So ive come up with this new payment scale: All Pm's will be charged .25 cents per inbound and outbound, Thread responses will be charged $1.00 per post. If i catch you reading my Import or snap on jack thread i will bill you.. Please be honest and dont try and sneak by me. I would recomend that Elroy you jump on this business venture also as there is power in numbers. Geez....


















btw the above statement is not true, if you have any questions feel free to contact me for any questions you have as i enjoy helping my fellow GJ members and that is payment enough for my experience.

 

[chadster1]

Thanks for your explanation.

BTW, For future references to all GJ members... Since ive been here at Gj ive fielded numerous questions about Jack repair publicly and via PM, Created 2 complete teardown threads so you can fix your own jacks. I enjoyed helping everyone but after carefull consideration ive come to the conclusion that im giving my 20 years of experience away for free. So ive come up with this new payment scale: All Pm's will be charged .25 cents per inbound and outbound, Thread responses will be charged $1.00 per post. If i catch you reading my Import or snap on jack thread i will bill you.. Please be honest and dont try and sneak by me. I would recomend that Elroy you jump on this business venture also as there is power in numbers. Geez....


















btw the above statement is not true, if you have any questions feel free to contact me for any questions you have as i enjoy helping my fellow GJ members and that is payment enough for my experience.

If Hiball is going to start charging for PM's, I guess I am going to as well. Since everyone knows Snap-on is more expensive, my PM rate is going to be $2.50 each, inbound and outbound. My thread response rate will be $9.95. If I need to post a pic of something, there will be an additional $19.95 fee. my paypal address is [email protected]. I will be contacting Snap-on Credit to see about the possibility of financing these fees for you.

 

[Elroy]

I would recomend that Elroy.. jump on this business venture also as there is power in numbers. Geez....

btw the above statement is not true, if you have any questions feel free to contact me for any questions you have as i enjoy helping my fellow GJ members and that is payment enough for my experience.

Hiball and Elroy are on the same page here. Advise and guidance based upon experience is free for the asking especially to other "Journal" members. Elroy is fortunate to have his day job to pay the bills.

Chris, your replacement tag looks great. Your tag displays the early art work were the later configuration is shown here courtesy of Torqueman2002


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=36806&d=1249471847

As promised.

These are compressed to fit, but I can send a zip file to you if you want.

Mike

 

[vssjim]

Then I guess after reading this reply from the guy who made the plate maybe his post should be moved to the classified section and deleted from here as he wants to sell his stuff. Thanks to highball for all his help to many many people on this and other boards

 

[Elroy]

This forum has provided me with very valuable information that is not available anywhere else, and I ‘d like to do my part to contribute to the community. I enjoy giving old tools and machinery new life and saving them from the scrap heap. I also enjoy doing this kind of image restoration work, and I think I’m good at it.

Yep, sure enough you're good at what you do:

Elroy was fortunate enough to get the second prototype tag. This fully accurate reproduction Hein-Werner OS tag is absolutely spectacular and professional in every aspect. It's the crowning touch to a year long project for Elroy and Mr. Green's gracious consideration is much appreciated

Just contact A_Pmech. He did some awesome plates for his DoAll.

It's was obvious to both Chris and Elroy that an acid etched tag would not be appropriate in this situation as the original HW tags were not etched. Chris made a exact reproduction of the original.

I’m not interested in simply giving away my knowledge, time, effort, and expertise so that someone else can profit from it.

It is Elroy's understanding from speaking with Mr. Green that he is willing to address individual inquires but he is not willing to mass distribute. He simply doesn't want his tags being sold at a profit to a third party.

Also be advised this comment is totally uncalled for:

Then I guess after reading this reply from the guy who made the plate maybe his post should be moved to the classified section and deleted from here as he wants to sell his stuff. Thanks to highball for all his help to many many people on this and other boards

Nope. The original poster has stepped up to the plate in the best tradition of this board. He simply had a need and manufactured a tag to meet that need. He has demonstrating first class workmanship and has be gracious enough to share the results of his skill with us.

If this thread were to be moved and deleted then Ryan needs to delete the I Make & Sell Hammers and Punches threads too. But you didn't suggest that because those threads have all kinds of fancy pictures procedure.

I appreciate what Mr. Green has accomplished and I think his distribution model protects both his interests and labors while affording those of us who need reproductions a source for high quality tags.

Chris: Elroy's hat is off to ya. The tag looks GREAT! THANKS!

Maybe next time Elroy should call up the local Wal-Mart for a tag. They carry everything you know.

 

[Hiball]

It is Elroy's understanding from speaking with Mr. Green that he is willing to address individual inquires but he is not willing to mass distribute. He simply doesn't want his tags being sold at a profit to a third party.


Nope. The original poster has stepped up to the plate in the best tradition of this board. He simply had a need and manufactured a tag to meet that need. He has demonstrating first class workmanship and has be gracious enough to share the results of his skill with us.

If this thread were to be moved and deleted then Ryan needs to delete the I Make & Sell Hammers and Punches threads too. But you didn't suggest that because those threads have all kinds of fancy pictures procedure.

I appreciate what Mr. Green has accomplished and I think his distribution model protects both his interests and labors while affording those of us who need reproductions a source for high quality tags.

Chris: Elroy's hat is off to ya. The tag looks GREAT! THANKS!

Maybe next time Elroy should call up the local Wal-Mart for a tag. They carry everything you know.

Im glad Mr. Green took care of you elroy but counting you and Him and 1 or 2 guys that have inquired for a replacement tag in my 20 years of Hydraulic jack repair i wouldnt consider that "Mass Distribution" Im guessing the percentage of people who even know what a Oboy jack represents is probably .000000000000000000000001% of America. I felt his response was a bit selfish in my opinion. I dont mean any disrespect to his photoshop ability and the skill neccesary to reproduce a tag it was just the feeling i got from his post. There is tons of knowledge on this board and the outpouring support to help a fellow member with there problems is above average. I can apreciate a persons talents, Do i really need to hear about there accomplishments when a simple question is asked? No, If you wish to charge someone for a Plate, Get to the point. I go out of my way to assist people with there hydraulic jack problems with very very.. very little financial gain considering the effort i put out. I do this because i enjoy this place, Nothing more. I as you are fortunate to have a good job that pays the bills, My Hydraulic business is nothing more than a way to pass the time and fuel my tool passion. I can still remember why i joined this forum, It was because i seen a guy put together a Hein Werner thread to help people with there problems, Not to benefit off the knowledge he had lurking between the ears. Anyways.. I mean no disrespect to anyone, Just my 2 cents.

Steven

 

[Elroy]

Steve you're fine. We all know of your contributions and yes you have supplied many a soft kit at whole sales prices.

Elroy would imagine you can buy some tags. But getting hold of the digital "master" or contacting the printer direct is where the problem comes in.

It's like Elroy being in the rebuild business wanting to know where you purchase kits and what's your account number.

I hope ya see the issue here.

 

[Hiball]

Steve you're fine. We all know of your contributions and yes you have supplied many a soft kit at whole sales prices.

Elroy would imagine you can buy some tags. But getting hold of the digital "master" or contacting the printer direct is where the problem comes in.

It's like Elroy being in the rebuild business wanting to know where you purchase kits and what's your account number.

I hope ya see the issue here.

Yeah my issue with thread is over, I have no ill-regard towards anyone involved. I cant see the comparision of my Kits to the Plate, It would be like comparing the need for a Chevy 350 engine Starter to a Ferrari V-12 Starter. Make sure you show some pics of the new tag on your jack.

 

[Elroy]

Make sure you show some pics of the new tag on your jack.

That would be Elroy's pleasure

The drive rivets have yet to be staked

 

[Hiball]

Looks Good

 

[blueflame6]

Elroy, Did you drill out the old rivets or punch them through? The rivets on mine are sheared flush with the casting. thanks again for your help.......Pete

 

[CRTDI]

On the Blackhawk that I'm rebuilding, I had the same thing. The I.D. plate appears to be attached w/rivets that are flush with the casting on the back side. I used a punch to knock the fasteners through and discovered they were not rivets but drive screws.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products.ex?N=999600056

 

[blueflame6]

Hiball, What came first the O'BOY or the OS? or they just the same O'BOY OS? How far do these go back? Can they be dated?

 

[Hiball]

Hiball, What came first the O'BOY or the OS? or they just the same O'BOY OS? How far do these go back? Can they be dated?

No real way to date them, there are characteristics that define different years etc. I believe the Oboy was first in-line followed by the Oboy-OS and there was also a O series also somewhere in the mix.

 

[Elroy]

Hiball, What came first the O'BOY or the OS? or they just the same O'BOY OS? How far do these go back? Can they be dated?

Hiball has been very helpful over the last year helping dial in a "window" for dating these jacks. He confirmed they were introduced in late 1939. Elroy seems to recall him posting a magazine add dated 1940 that trumpeted the "new jack" from Hein Werner.

There was also some discussion on construction features in this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53884

You'll note that your jack features both the two piece handle and the bolted caster king pin which both point to early production.

Elroy has also noted differences in the release knob. Purely as a guess, Elroy would venture to say the steel knobs were war time items with the aluminum being introduced later as the supply of this strategic material became more plentiful for the civilian market. Now that is just a guess mind you bit it sound reasonable to one Elroy. Is your knob steel or aluminum??

 

[blueflame6]

Thanks for your replys Hiball and Elroy, Elroy...... just checked my knob........steel with a light straight knurl to it. I like old stuff......

 

[SJRSMD]

Mr. Green,
Found a GJ thread (April 2010) concerning HW O'Boy data plate reproduction by you. I just purchased two HW O'Boys for restoration. Can you supply me with two new data plates?

Thank you for your consideration of my request,

 

[Jerriffic]

I have a name plate that I would like to have duplicated for a restored Hein Werner. The old plate is very hard to make out the details. The plate is different that the one in this thread. Anyone have a decent image that I could use to replicate the plate?
Thanks,
Jerry

 

[123Go]

Anyone know when it was that HW stopped using the revited tag and started using a sticker instead on thier jacks?
I have a couple "M" series long frames with stickers.
Thanks

 

[Burgerkong]

Here's what I found, pretty sure it's the source of the plates:

http://www.alumaphoto-plateco.com/products/nameplates-and-control-panels.html

 

[bradley8795]

Wow I guess someone is mass producing the guys work after all lol.

 

[123Go]

"Wow I guess someone is mass producing the guys work after all lol."

Sure enough, he needs a lawyer....lol

Amazing!!! Simply frick'n amazing!!!!!....lol

 

[123Go]

Quote I recieved for "two" tags from Aluma Photo-Plate Co. for the same 3x3 tag as O'Boy basicly except for the HW model "M" long frame floor jack. Anyone who wants one this bad has more than just a passion for thier jack its closer to a fetish...lol
See tag in question in att:


Thanks for contacting me and the request.
Qty. ( 2 ) nameplates ( Hein-Werner ) @ $ 30.00 each with a Set Up charge of
$ 45.00. Delivery is approx. 8 - 10 working days
-----------------------------


Then' after a quick search on Google I located this company myassettag.com. Anyone who wants something similar, not exact by any means but they can somewhat make one up here. I have not contacted this company about buying an exact repro tag but that may be worth a try here????? I will keep an eye out.

http://www.myassettag.com/MNP/Metal-Equipment-Nameplates.aspx

Update: Reply after emailing pic of tag to MyAssettag/ AKA: American-Nameplate above link I posted....
The picture looks like an etched aluminum name plate.
Though we can do this with our print & seal process.
This plate is not embossed. Embossing would require a tooling charge of
about $2500.00.
For etch and fill or print & seal you would be looking at $315.00 for 2
name plates. This would include the Prep charge + shipping cost.
Figure on 3 weeks after proof approval.
Regards,
Bob

--
Bob Desbles
Sales Manager
American Nameplate
Phone: 773-376-1400
FaX: 773-376-2236
www.american-nameplate.com


I came to the conclusion its best for me to have a decal/sticker made off fleabay and place it on a tag on its handle base.
As I have no idea how old my model M jacks are and they have decals not alum tags, I may return them to original state without a metal tag or fabricate my own plate to apply a decal too? Its undecided at this point. Im only re-painting them as they both work perfect still its not a total restore. I just like the metal tag look on these Hein Werners, it gives them a better look imo.
Anyway' I tried to locate a better deal for those who are truely interested. I've determined there is more time/effort involved in the making of the tags than appears. However Im sorry' I still dont see where they get these high prices for them but its surely why HW started using decals instead of metal tags whenever that occerred I have no clue?
By the way both my factory HW decals schemes are dark red in back ground but Ive seen them in black to resemble these tags too.








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