Finally finished restoring my 1947 Delta pedestal grinder

[chargedmr2]

So, I picked up this 1947 Delta Triple Duty grinder about a year-and-a-half-ago and planned a full restoration. It ended up sitting as a box of parts for a little longer than planned, but I'm finally wrapping it up. I gave it a full restoration with new Japanese made bearings and fresh paint. I kind of cheated on the paint this time, and had everything powder coated, with the exception of the motor housing, of course. A Delta pedestal had popped up of sale a little while back for $50 so I snagged that, too. The stand is from the 1960s, so not quite period correct for the 1947 grinder, but I couldn't pass it up for that price.

Unfortunately, it's missing the left side tool rest, so I'm on the lookout for that.

Anyhow, here's some pictures from the restoration:

 

[The Cobbler]

nice!

 

[whateg01]

I like that the tool rests are substantial looking. So many more are super light and flex when you try to use them.

 

[chargedmr2]

A few more pictures from the reassembly and cleaning:

 

[chargedmr2]

And some more:

 

[chargedmr2]

And the last batch of pics. Was definitely a fun project!!

 

[Davefr]

Looks great!! Have you posted a WTB ad over at the OWWM.org BOYD forum for the tool rest? Those fellas over there have helped me with some really tough to find parts.

 

[Sawmill7]

Great job! Love the color and that you powder coated it. I just completed a 1940-50's 10" Black and Decker. Stand was off a big 3 phase grinder at scrap yard. I hated to get rid of patina on stand so used Penotrol.

 

[chargedmr2]

Looks great!! Have you posted a WTB ad over at the OWWM.org BOYD forum for the tool rest? Those fellas over there have helped me with some really tough to find parts.

Thanks, really excited to have this up in running in my shop. Good tip on the WTB ad. It's been a while, but I've gotten help from those guys before as well. I'll give that a shot.

 

[LXCam]

Nice job Mr.

 

[chargedmr2]

Great job! Love the color and that you powder coated it. I just completed a 1940-50's 10" Black and Decker. Stand was off a big 3 phase grinder at scrap yard. I hated to get rid of patina on stand so used Penotrol.

Thanks! That's one nice looking grinder you've got. The patina on the sand looks great, too. I like the old Black and Deckers as well as the old Stanleys and Walker Turners.

I kept the original name plate and on/off switch plate as a little reminder of what this old grinder's been through. Name plate is in pretty nice condition actually, but the round on/off switch plate is fairly rough.

 

[Sawmill7]

Thanks chargedmr2 . Next on my list is a late 1930's Delta twin light
Early serial number
2-4518. Winters are long so will have time to restore. Here are a couple pics

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Dam your good!

 

[chargedmr2]

Thanks chargedmr2 . Next on my list is a late 1930's Delta twin light
Early serial number
2-4518. Winters are long so will have time to restore. Here are a couple pics

Winters are definitely the time for restorations for me as well. That early Delta will be a fun restoration. I would have preferred one from the 1930s, but they hardly ever show up for sale in my area (of any vintage).

What's the story on the stand for that one?

 

[chargedmr2]

Dam your good!

Thanks! This was high on my list of most coveted tools, so I gave it all I had, lol

 

[Sawmill7]

Another stand that came into scrap yard with nothing mounted on it
Was quite tall so I cut it down with 4" grinder and bolted a plate to the top . Another one that has good patina.

 

[kams1973]

Very nice attention to detail.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Fantastic job, great attention to detail.

Enjoy!

 

[OccupantRJ]

Great job! A grinder like that one was used for 30 years on my job when still bread winning. Before I retired I had 12 machines on site in the que to refurbish. Every piece of stationary equipment except three in my shop was a cast-off rescue that got some love after acquisition. I use the term refurbed as often a bit of resto-mod is done to make improvements.

I have been retired a little over 8 years and just ”caught up” two years ago before having both knees replaced. Now fully recovered from that I am spending time fine tuning the shop itself relative to usability. If another piece of equipment pops up that I don’t have it may have to come home with me.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Beautiful job!!! Your looks similar to the one I picked up just over a year ago at an estate sale. I still haven't done a thing to it but it's on the list.

POST # 906

1920-60s DELTA / ROCKWELL picture thread - Post your Delta!

@Vise_Squad outstanding find! Right on the heels of my pedestal with a Tauco badge. I have never seen a Delta grinder with a Tauco badge, hang on to that one. The end covers, or guard plates, are readily available on eBay, originals or reproduction.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[chargedmr2]

Beautiful job!!! Your looks similar to the one I picked up just over a year ago at an estate sale. I still haven't done a thing to it but it's on the list.

POST # 906

1920-60s DELTA / ROCKWELL picture thread - Post your Delta!

@Vise_Squad outstanding find! Right on the heels of my pedestal with a Tauco badge. I have never seen a Delta grinder with a Tauco badge, hang on to that one. The end covers, or guard plates, are readily available on eBay, originals or reproduction.

www.garagejournal.com

That’s a nice grinder. Looks like a great candidate for a full restoration! I love these early grinders with the pedestal tray as well.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

That’s a nice grinder. Looks like a great candidate for a full restoration! I love these early grinders with the pedestal tray as well.

Yeah according to the GJ experts its all there except for the water cups which fit into the holes in the stand. I didn't want to buy it but the price made me buy it. It runs very nicely with no noises or bearing issues. The cord needs to be replaced. The garage was full of old Delta tools (drill press, lathes etc) but I just grabbed this. Sadly I think the rest was going to end up in the dump.

 

[whateg01]

... I didn't want to buy it but the price made me buy it.

Ron White: I didn't...want to go to the **********, but...

 

[chargedmr2]

Yeah according to the GJ experts its all there except for the water cups which fit into the holes in the stand. I didn't want to buy it but the price made me buy it. It runs very nicely with no noises or bearing issues. The cord needs to be replaced. The garage was full of old Delta tools (drill press, lathes etc) but I just grabbed this. Sadly I think the rest was going to end up in the dump.

It does look complete. Tool rests perhaps filled in or altered?

BTW, is that an older USA made floor jack? As far as I know, there are no USA manufacturers of floor jacks that survived.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

It does look complete. Tool rests perhaps filled in or altered?

BTW, is that an older USA made floor jack? As far as I know, there are no USA manufacturers of floor jacks that survived.

I believe it is USA. I bought it at the sale as well. All that stuff cost me $90 that day.

 

[chargedmr2]

I believe it is USA. I bought it at the sale as well. All that stuff cost me $90 that day.

That was a hell of a score!

 

[NYBODYMAN]

It definitely was. If I was able to go back that next day I would have gotten even more for less. Oh well.
Hopefully I can restore this one. I'd love to find the water cups.

 

[chargedmr2]

It definitely was. If I was able to go back that next day I would have gotten even more for less. Oh well.
Hopefully I can restore this one. I'd love to find the water cups.

Apparently the cups are fairly hard to find. I’m trying to locate original tool rests in good shape. Also not easy to find.

 

[jabberwoki]

Beautiful.

I did this one a while ago but not as thoroughly as your job.

 

[chargedmr2]

Beautiful.

I did this one a while ago but not as thoroughly as your job.

Looks great! These are such great machines to have.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Apparently the cups are fairly hard to find. I’m trying to locate original tool rests in good shape. Also not easy to find.

Yes I heard the same. I'd love to at least know the original dimensions and maybe try to make them or have them made somehow.

 

[Hoorn]

@chargedmr2 what was your technique for the eye guards?

 

[chargedmr2]

@chargedmr2 what was your technique for the eye guards?

So I ended up having them powder coated in that silver color which turned out very nice. For the reflectors, I used an aluminum polish which worked pretty well. Then for the glass, I used a clean razor blade to remove many years of residue and various grinding materials that adhered to the side of the glass facing the wheels. The glass definitely has plenty of small pits, but overall it’s in pretty good shape so I decided to keep it original. The spring steel that retains the glass was pretty rusty, so I cleaned that up with some 3M abrasive pads. Actually, I use a 1x42 craftsman belt sander with 3M or equivalent non woven ultra fine surface conditioning belts. I absolutely LOVE them for all sorts of restoration uses.

 

[Hoorn]

Thank you. In preparation for powder coat, did you use a fine grit 3M pad, fine brass wire wheel? I most likely will spray them silver but would like to know best technique to remove old gray color. Being diecast, a delicate touch is required.

 

[chargedmr2]

Mine were originally painted silver, which I think is standard for at least some of these. I soaked them in a bath of simple green for several days and that took the paint right off. Since they are a pretty soft metal, I was trying to avoid using a wire wheel or sanding too much.

 

[RoninB4]

-Nice resto, looks good to my eye