Colorful Home Machine Shops

[Kevin54]

I sort of brought this up on another site, and I know that there are a lot of people on here that their garages are machine shops. I'd like to see some postings as to the shops and machines.

The other part of it.....how many think outside of the box when refurbishing their machines. I remember one member on here painting his South Bend lathe (?) all orange and it really stood out. Some people are diehard resto people and will only paint their machines the standard industrial gray, blue, or beige. Are there anyones on here that has went with different colors? If so, post 'em up, and post your shop up.

Myself, I'm thinking of painting my Lagun Mill, Prowler Orange this coming summer.

Here are two machines from another site, and I think they look fantastic in a different color.

 

[hunter1151]

The pics didn't come through.......

 

[larry_g]

I think the pictures come from a site that you have to be a member to look at. You might have to host the pictures here.

For me put me in the basic grey group. For that matter put me in the group that does not paint unless it is needed to protect raw materials.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Seb650R]

My only opposition to painting machines other than stock colors is if you decide to sell them later. I'm also with Larry in that I wouldn't paint something unless it needs to be done, especially a large machine tool.

 

[Kevin54]

Fixed I think. Sorry guys!!!!

 

[fury9]

I can only imagine how long it took to prep,paint, polish,etc.. that orange lathe! Looks really nice though

 

[larry_g]

Seeing the pictures I find those acceptable. A perty simple color that doesn't scream at you.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I can only imagine how long it took to prep,paint, polish,etc.. that orange lathe! Looks really nice though

Kevin ... how long did it take?

Looks really nice.

 

[Kevin54]

Kevin ... how long did it take?

Looks really nice.

****...they're not mine. They are on another site I frequent. I just posted them here because I know that quite a few members have home fabricating equipment, whether it be mills, lathes, sheetmetal equipment,

I think painting the equipment in colors other than the basic gray or blues is a heck of a nice change. Machine manufacturers today should give choices of colors other than the two or three colors that people have looked at for years.

As far as how long it would take to do something like that, I have no idea. A lot would depend on whether, or how far the machinery was broke down.

 

[R.Anderson]

I like the looks of the orange lathe, anyone know the make/model it is?

 

[Richard D]

They make lots of machine tools painted orange-in China. I pretty much prefer the industrial grey. 1934 Southbend 9".
Before:

After:

 

[goodspeed]

Personally, I prefer black. When I get around to restoring all of my vises/presses/etc, they'll all be black, since it doesn't show how dirty they are, and it'd make my garage look a lot more cohesive, if you catch my drift.

 

[ptschram]

My machinery all has the patina of age they have earned.

 

[A_Pmech]

Dark Machine Gray for me!

 

[electromech31]

I luve the look of industrial grey. But in my area there is a older guy who has a large selection of Gisholts in a dark green and gold trim it was very sharp.

Sent from my SCH-R760 using Tapatalk 2

 

[G1K]

Orange for me as well....

Ryan

 

[fury9]

That's a beast for the garage!

 

[Kevin54]

Orange for me as well....

Ryan

This is the lathe that first made me want to paint machines a different color.

 

[hunter1151]

Wow that Monarch is sweet..............not to mention an exceptional lathe as well.

 

[hunter1151]

I like the looks of the orange lathe, anyone know the make/model it is?

It's a none quick change South Bend looks to be a 9"

 

[383 240z]

I was thinking about painting my Cincinatti mill a bright blue, or hot rod black, and flamed. Keith

 

[Alchymist]

I like the looks of the orange lathe, anyone know the make/model it is?

It's a none quick change South Bend looks to be a 9"

Apron looks like SB, change gear cover doesn't. Orange doesn't look bad, don't know as I care for the yellow. Something about yellow is a turnoff - equipment as well as vehicles. Looks like the orange lathe is missing the leadscrew.

 

[senlow]

Orange for me as well....

Ryan

That old Monarch is a beauty. I'm not normally a fan of orange, but I love it on that lathe.

My two lathes are not restored yet. So, they are still gray (except where the paint is worn off. I usually paint my machines with a low gloss gray. I want to paint at least one of the lathes with a non-traditional color. So. I'm anxiously awaiting more photos in this thread.

 

[mjb]

I've seen Monarch lathes in red, green, blue, yellow and now orange. All of them look great and yours is no exception.

 

[Camtwo69]

The Monarch lathe is **** !

 

[bczygan]

http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/threads/47430-Looking-for-colourful-machines/page2

 

[mtnwalton]

I think the pictures come from a site that you have to be a member to look at. You might have to host the pictures here.

For me put me in the basic grey group. For that matter put me in the group that does not paint unless it is needed to protect raw materials.

lg
no neat sig line

------+1

 

[kazlx]

That orange Monarch is awesome! I think I'm going to paint my surface grinder an almond color.

 

[bullnerd]

Monarch is BAD AZZ!

I dont mind the different colors but what is a shame is when someone does a half *** paint job over what would have been a nicely patina'd machine.You know the ones you see where they just spray it all gray and try to pass it off as a low hour machine.

 

[hunter1151]

You mean like they do in most votec and high school machine classes........

 

[gtiboy66]

I did my bandsaw Red/silver

My lathe I did green

I did my arbor press white

I also have a small sensitive drill press I may do white/black/polish

still thinking
Frank

 

[deere2210]

I like the orange on the Monarch!!

 

[johnd900]

I just picked up a Carolina HD-10 that appears to have been re-painted red already. I think I'm going to change it to bright yellow for the hell of it.

 

[Nelson58]

The orange Monarch is superb. That is the home shop lathe we all want!


Nelson

 

[Spencyg]

This is my RoboTool CNC Mill which I did in International Red. I'm about ready to paint the CNC Lathe Matte Black...

 

[joshuaz223]

a move part way thru a major cleaning of this M head left it half Ford blue and half dinge gray. in the 7 years since it hasn't changed. except two more moves. one more when the new shop is built and hopefully thats it.

 

[lutter94]

That paint is too loud for me. I can handle the green, red, and white stuff recently posted. But look at it this way, if I were to build a muscle car, it would prob be a dark metallic blue. I would never paint my own car bright orange, green, or purple. Just my taste. If thats what ya like go for it. But resale value might take a hit....I would like to see some old machines with the hammered finish look to it......

 

[454ragtop]

That paint is too loud for me. I can handle the green, red, and white stuff recently posted. But look at it this way, if I were to build a muscle car, it would prob be a dark metallic blue. I would never paint my own car bright orange, green, or purple. Just my taste. If thats what ya like go for it. But resale value might take a hit....I would like to see some old machines with the hammered finish look to it......

Pretty unlikely resale value will take a hit. A machine painted to that level of quality and detail in most any color is such a treat after looking at typical gray brush jobs over a poorly prepped machine that encompass probably 95% of used machines for sale. I would have never thought of orange, but think it looks truly superb and would love to have it in my shop. Now that lavender on the other hand..........
Jim

 

[IndyGarage]

I copied the orange paint job on my 10EE as well.

Some people love it, some hate it, but it always gets comments. They are such good looking machines that they are screaming for a good paint color.

I love the 30's and 40's machine tool designs. I have an old Milwaukee 2H mill that has the same kind of lines.

I also bought a Taft Pierce grinder from the same period. It also has the art deco look to it. I haven't gotten it painted, as I don't have time to take it out of use to strip it and paint it.

I promised a picture of the lathe awhile back, let me see if I can remember to take one.

 

[hh76]

This is the lathe that first made me want to paint machines a different color.

It's the first thing that popped into my head when I read your original post.