Fancy old mechanical floor jack project

[don long]

No pictures tonight , just a quick update.
I've been sanding and priming and sanding some more on all the pieces of the jack that will get painted. My goal is to remove ALL the pits and casting marks on each piece before applying a good coat of paint. As of tonight the last coat of primer was sprayed on each piece and my finger tips are ready to bleed so I'll let the parts sit for a day tomorrow while I spend the day at different Dr appointments

 

[The Cobbler]

I can just imagine the look of this jack when you're done with it. it will be a true museum quality show piece .
Re Dr Appt's, hope they all go well for you

 

[don long]

Thanks Cobbler. Working on my back and neck tomorrow.
Because I want to eliminate the use of cotter pins I am planning to remake a couple of the shafts. I will drill and tap new holes and replace the pins with stainless button head screws. That should give the jack a little cleaner look.

 

[Modern Garage]

You're changing subjects way too fast there Don. I thought to myself "Hmm, I didn't realize orthopedic surgeons used cotter pins."
Joe

 

[harley jim]

Now you sound like me, I got new knees and they still make a lot of noise. So I'm going to have grease zerks installed. Lol

 

[Farmer J.]

It would be nice if all of us with worn out joints could get a rebuild, done to Don Long standards.. we would all be shiny and better than new!

I'm enjoying watching this thread Don, thanks for posting, and best wishes for your health issues.

 

[Farmer J.]

Because I want to eliminate the use of cotter pins I am planning to remake a couple of the shafts. I will drill and tap new holes and replace the pins with stainless button head screws. That should give the jack a little cleaner look.

Using stainless button heads is going to be a great improvement on the old cotter pins. Good idea. I use stainless pins and 'acorn nuts' on my Land Rover rebuilds, they are a bit weathered now after some years of use in a harsh marine and farm environment but still look neat.

 

[don long]

Splitting the shovel handle for a steel insert to make it a giant version of a 'perfect handle' screwdriver might be fun.

You lost me on that project???

 

[don long]

It would be nice if all of us with worn out joints could get a rebuild, done to Don Long standards.. we would all be shiny and better than new!

I'm enjoying watching this thread Don, thanks for posting, and best wishes for your health issues.

Using stainless button heads is going to be a great improvement on the old cotter pins. Good idea. I use stainless pins and 'acorn nuts' on my Land Rover rebuilds, they are a bit weathered now after some years of use in a harsh marine and farm environment but still look neat.

Farmer
It's true I do like shinny and the looks of button head bolts and screws too.
My health issues are just what they are so I'm pushing on my projects as best I can.
I'm hoping to get color on some of the jack parts tonite when it cools down a bit.
Happy you are enjoying following along as I sand the tips off my fingers.

 

[Sumboodie]

I wouldn't mind warm temps. Been in the 50s, low 60s. Leaves are falling. Snow is coming.

 

[don long]

I wouldn't mind warm temps. Been in the 50s, low 60s. Leaves are falling. Snow is coming.

We are running in the high 90's during the afternoons but it cools off fast in the early evenings
So I went back out and finished sanding my jack parts and gave some of them a squirt of coke red



To give you an idea of all the grinding and sanding here is a close up of the side panel before I went after it.



Here is the results of a lot of sanding the primer (3 coats) all hand sanding.



I think that the results speak for themselves. A close up of the part with color on it.



And the other parts that got painted tonight

 

[loganb]

Another excellent project done to incredible standards, thanks for sharing!

 

[Provincial]

Back in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, things were made from wood, castings, and blacksmithed steel. They didn't have the technology to grind things smooth at a reasonable cost, so they used a simple method to "smooth" the surfaces - heavy bodied paint. "Japanned" was a popular finish and there were many more types that did the same thing.

Today, spray application is the norm, and it takes a strong paint delivery system to spray heavy-bodied paint. Heavy equipment enamel is the nearest common thing to the type of paint used in the old days.

Does anyone have ideas on where to find heavy-bodied paint at reasonable prices?

 

[Farmer J.]

Back in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, things were made from wood, castings, and blacksmithed steel. They didn't have the technology to grind things smooth at a reasonable cost, so they used a simple method to "smooth" the surfaces - heavy bodied paint. "Japanned" was a popular finish and there were many more types that did the same thing.

Today, spray application is the norm, and it takes a strong paint delivery system to spray heavy-bodied paint. Heavy equipment enamel is the nearest common thing to the type of paint used in the old days.

Does anyone have ideas on where to find heavy-bodied paint at reasonable prices?

Coach enamel from this chap works well for me, and very reasonable price. Currently not shipping to USA though!

Coach Enamel Paint Archives

Coach Enamel Paint Colours ideal for rolling and brushing are also offered in Quick Dry Enamel for Spraying giving the same superb high build finish

paintman.co.uk

 

[4xdog]

…Does anyone have ideas on where to find heavy-bodied paint at reasonable prices?

Probably powder coat.

 

[thehorse13]

Back in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, things were made from wood, castings, and blacksmithed steel. They didn't have the technology to grind things smooth at a reasonable cost, so they used a simple method to "smooth" the surfaces - heavy bodied paint. "Japanned" was a popular finish and there were many more types that did the same thing.

Today, spray application is the norm, and it takes a strong paint delivery system to spray heavy-bodied paint. Heavy equipment enamel is the nearest common thing to the type of paint used in the old days.

Does anyone have ideas on where to find heavy-bodied paint at reasonable prices?

While the price is arguably reasonable, powder coating is the most common thing you'll find today to mimic the finish you've described. At least here in the states.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You lost me on that project???

I could be wrong, but my interpretation was that Ole Slew was referring to the cranking handle for the jack. I imagine it doubles as a handle to push it around, too. Is there one? Your original photos don't show it, neither do the other photos (unless I am missing it), and the ad that I posted doesn't show it, either. It cuts it off, unfortunately.

 

[Sumboodie]

Back in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, things were made from wood, castings, and blacksmithed steel. They didn't have the technology to grind things smooth at a reasonable cost, so they used a simple method to "smooth" the surfaces - heavy bodied paint. "Japanned" was a popular finish and there were many more types that did the same thing.

Today, spray application is the norm, and it takes a strong paint delivery system to spray heavy-bodied paint. Heavy equipment enamel is the nearest common thing to the type of paint used in the old days.

Does anyone have ideas on where to find heavy-bodied paint at reasonable prices?

Hardware store here carries alkyd enamel.
Sprays fine in a pressure pot or latex gun.

Used to be PPG BarOx, now it's a Valspar product.

 

[don long]

I could be wrong, but my interpretation was that Ole Slew was referring to the cranking handle for the jack. I imagine it doubles as a handle to push it around, too. Is there one? Your original photos don't show it, neither do the other photos (unless I am missing it), and the ad that I posted doesn't show it, either. It cuts it off, unfortunately.

Oh got it now. Yes the jack has a handle. I will be working on getting it ready for paint this week. I used the handle to support the jack while in the electrolysis tank

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

My suggestion was to make or modify the handle it an unreasonably large version of this

photo ctsy LesserSon in the
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/h-d-smith-company-plantsville-ct.389945/ thread

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I like imron red

 

[don long]

My suggestion was to make or modify the handle it an unreasonably large version of this

photo ctsy LesserSon in the
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/h-d-smith-company-plantsville-ct.389945/ thread

Now I really understand. Thanks for the clearity and the great idea. That would make the jack pop.

I like imron red

Me too I've sprayed a lot of emron over the years. My tow trucks had an emron red stripe on them and I painted all my trucks.

 

[don long]

Made some progress on the jack today. First I sprayed the 2nd color on the inner parts. Then went to work making new shafts with threaded holes to replace the cotter pins with button head screws. next was to polish the nuts for the jack because they were an off size and I couldn't find anything to replace them with. After lunch the painted parts were dry and ready to start the assembly process.

Nuts and shafts before polish and the old shafts that need a remake. I had to cut down some washers for the wheels (one has been started)



After a couple of hours of work the pieces are all polished



After a few times putting it together wrong and a few new springs the jack is working correctly







You can see the different color for the inner parts in this shot



The wheels and handle are next to work on.

 

[Adaylate]

WOW!
But I wouldn't expect anything less!
Well done!
Floyd from Washington

 

[The Cobbler]

another fine restoration. you have some great talent & patience Sir!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

What a contraption! Looks great.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Now I really understand. Thanks for the clearity and the great idea. That would make the jack pop.


Me too I've sprayed a lot of emron over the years. My tow trucks had an emron red stripe on them and I painted all my trucks.

Yes it is one of the few paints I have used that seems immune to sun fading

 

[twertsy]

GBA that looks great!!!!!!

 

[thehorse13]

Urgh...this looks so good that I now need an early 20s mechanical jack. lol.

 

[930dreamer]

Well of course it's going to look great!

 

[Farmer J.]

Looks great Don, another fine showpiece for your Garage.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Here's the No. 85 (the "58" was a typo) Automotive News 1927

 

[captain14]

Great build and documentation as you went through the process. My fingers hurt just looking at yours.

 

[don long]

Thanks for the many votes of confidence guys I do appreciate them alot.
Good luck finding one of these jacks Horse.
Mark I appreciate the ad for the jack that is really cool.
Captain. My fingers are much better today the tape helps make them last longer.

 

[don long]

I went back to work on the jack today. The wheels were polished and mounted with retainer screws and I think they really improve the looks of the jack





I may still paint the wheel inserts black to match the handle when I'm ready to shoot it.

The jack handle was my next victim. It is really in bad shape.



First I drilled off the bracket for the release rod



Then I sand blasted it and started to grind out the rust pits.



Next I moved on to the handle and ran my grinder over it to see how badly it was pitted and it was bad.



I bondoed it up and sanded it smooth so it is ready for primer next.

Sorry about the pic's laying on their side. Don't know how to fix it.
Thanks for looking in on my project.

 

[The Cobbler]

...

Sorry about the pic's laying on their side. Don't know how to fix it.
....

How's your post look now? There's an option ( not sure if it's just for moderators) along the bottom that says rotate

 

[The Cobbler]

here's a screen shot

 

[don long]

here's a screen shot

Great but cropped. I've tried turning photos with that option but it doesn't stay turned for me.

 

[The Cobbler]

I can put them back if you like

 

[The Cobbler]

Great but cropped. I've tried turning photos with that option but it doesn't stay turned for me.

are you hitting the tab, "return to post"?