Delta DP220

[wwk68]

Quite a few problems with this DP I picked up today. Let's start simple. There's a hard, black substance all over the spindle assembly. No idea what this is from, but it's proving very hard to remove. Any ideas on how best to clean?

edit: forgot to add, either the return spring is faulty or this black stuff is gumming up the works to the point it can't do its job.

 

[subroc]

Probably dry grease. Fuel oil or mineral spirits will probably break it down.

 

[wwk68]

I've got paint thinner and gasoline on hand. Which of those would work best?

 

[subroc]

Clearly, you can do what you want. I am not much for using gasoline as a cleaner or solvent. Too flammable for my tastes to use that way. I expect it will clean dried grease off fine. I believe the paint thinner will break it down as well. Give the thinner a try.

 

[Davefr]

I've restored several old Delta DPs. If you want to do this right, you need to completely disassemble them and inspect/clean every part.

You can probably leave the column and table intact if you want, but the head/quill/spindle should really be taken apart completely. The old spindle bearings almost always need to be cleaned or replaced.

Taking them apart is really pretty easy. They were very well designed machines.

Mineral spirits, a scotch brite pad and a cleaning brush will work wonders.

 

[wwk68]

I've restored several old Delta DPs. If you want to do this right, you need to completely disassemble them and inspect/clean every part.

You can probably leave the column and table intact if you want, but the head/quill/spindle should really be taken apart completely. The old spindle bearings almost always need to be cleaned or replaced.

Taking them apart is really pretty easy. They were very well designed machines.

Mineral spirits, a scotch brite pad and a cleaning brush will work wonders.

There's a guy on YouTube that takes you through the breakdown process step by step. This DP definitely demands a full cleaning.

The Delta badge on the motor is basically illegible as far as I can tell. I hope there's another way to determine date of manufacture. Would be nice to know.

 

[wwk68]

Some before photos...

 

[wwk68]

Put in a few hours today on disassembly. The partial railroad spike you see at far left was hammered in between the head stock and back plate.

 

[wwk68]

Any tips for removing the column from the base? I've hit it hard with penetrant and then tap lightly, but don't want to be too aggressive and break the base.

Also looking for tips on removing the ring that holds in the spindle bearings. I've followed directions per Adam on Small Town Machine Shop (youtube channel), but no joy so far.

 

[wwk68]

Shocked to realize this one might be a 30s DP, not a 40s like I had assumed. If this video is anything to go by, I have the Delta Double Duty Motor. At 10 seconds in, you can see the Delta ID plate which is clearly the one mine has (even though mine looks atrocious).

 

[wwk68]

The housing is cleaning up way better than I expected, but not completely there yet. Amazed to see I was wrong and there is in fact color on the Delta badge. It's just covered in the worst grime imaginable. I can't get the rest of the guard to clean up and show its original paint either.

What can you suggest as a cleaner that will remove the grime but not damage the paint on either the badge or the guard itself? Dawn, hot water, and a plastic brush ain't cutting it.

 

[Terry D]

Try very diluted simple green, if you mix it to strong, it can remove paint or soften it. Rub lightly

 

[wwk68]

I would have never thought Simple Green would take off paint. I've used it on my Snapper mowers and never had an issue. Will approach with caution, thanks.

 

[Terry D]

I would have never thought Simple Green would take off paint. I've used it on my Snapper mowers and never had an issue. Will approach with caution, thanks.

It might just be older paint. I cleaned some old Equipto drawer units, I actually soaked the drawers in it. It softened the paint in a few spots.

 

[wwk68]

This is hard *** work. I need beer.