My Newest Machine

[Amitygravel]

Very cool stuff!! The old industrial stuff has such neat lines and finishses. What part of Illinois are you in ?

 

[JohnFreeman]

Great stuff! Oh to have a hundred lifetimes, and several temperature controlled workshops

 

[Elroy]

And to think Elroy thought a Heidelberg was complicated.

They did what they had to do.

 

[Brad54]

I have that same sheer. Picked it up last year for $250, and it was worth every penny.
My one complaint is that it's only a 32-inch cut... since most sheetmetal comes in 4-foot lengths, I have to trim everything before I cut it down.

I don't do fabrication on a daily basis... or even weekly, I guess. But I'm amazed at how much I've used my sheer in a year.

I HIGHLY recommend getting one!

-Brad

 

[A_Pmech]

Unless the shear blades are nicked or the edge is rolled on all corners I would hold off on grinding the blades. If they were cutting soft material I would expect the blades to be in good shape. From the looks of the clevis hardware it seems that they tried to cut thick material using a "hefty" shear operator!

Steve

Hi Steve,

Fortunately, it isn't nicks or a rolled edge, but corrosion. I say fortunately because the corrosion should be easier to grind out of the face and bevel of the blade:

I called the printing machine works this morning and they're sending their van over to pick up the blades this morning. In the meantime, I made up a quick tote for them from scrap 1x8 and 2x8:

Overall, the blades aren't bad. But you know how I am...

I'm not sure it was a heavy operator that broke the left clevis because of the bend in the parts. If I were to guess, I'd say somebody hit it with something from behind. A forklift maybe?

I'm going to start on the clevis parts in a few minutes.

Very nice score!

Can't wait to see the finished rebuild!

Thanks! It's getting close.

I used to be a sheet metal worker in AFL-CIO Local 24 (formerly 224) of Dayton, Ohio. I used this type of shear daily, and found them to be indispensible...especially for small, light-gage work.

Hi Lump,

Agreed! Eventually, I'll compliment this shear with at least one larger power shear. What I've always liked about the old, small shears is the lack of an ungainly hold down on the front of the shear ram. When working with small stuff, it makes it so much easier to shear to a scribe line! Trying to peer through the hold down to see the scribe can be such a pain.

My high school had a print shop, and we had a Linotype machine, which the kids would occasionally get to use under the watchfull eye of the teacher. But our press printed off a flat, so the type from the Linitype, plus headlines and other hand set type and photo blocks, was used directly to print.

Oh cool! Letterpresses are neat because you can go straight from the Linotype to the press as you say. (That's what they do in the Linotype video I linked to). Neat stuff!

Very cool stuff!! The old industrial stuff has such neat lines and finishses. What part of Illinois are you in ?

Yes, it did. Between about 1910 and 1945 this country produced what I consider to be most of the best industrial design work in history. Today's box-like machine tools are devoid of any visual interest.

About an hour from you.

Great stuff! Oh to have a hundred lifetimes, and several temperature controlled workshops

You only need one of each!

I have that same sheer. Picked it up last year for $250, and it was worth every penny.
My one complaint is that it's only a 32-inch cut...

Not a bad deal! They definitely save time.

 

[A_Pmech]

I got some of the new turnbuckle parts done today:

The round eyes will be welded to the threaded steel shafts which have been notched to 1 3/8" diameter to fit snugly to the eyes.

Two more threaded shafts to go. The short ones in the photo have right hand threads. The long ones I'll be making tomorrow have left hand threads.

The printing machinery company's van came by this morning and picked up the blades. They should drop them back newly sharpened in two weeks.

 

[Elroy]

The shear blades are new, the bed is unscratched, the paint is original

I'll call them Tuesday and see what they want to sharpen my blades.

The printing machinery company's van came by this morning and picked up the blades. They should drop them back newly sharpened in two weeks.

Nothing like being consistant.

You might think no hold down is cool now but Elroy suspects you'll change your tune once stuff starts moving around and you scrap a few parts. But with your substantial experience level I wouldn't think that could ever happen to you

And why would you want to waste so much time making an inferior two piece eye weldment when blank forged eyes are readily available off the shelf ??? Let me guess, you could find the right size blank.

You sure do seam to know exactly what you want in equipment for being such a young fellow. Ya got a nice little project there but something doesn't add up but that's your deal now isn't it.

It's almost like you're retired with all this free time on your hands

 

[TireTracks]

huh, ever sence you know who got banned, this place has turned into the "everyones a fake and were all parinoid" forum.

 

[metal1313]

i dont doubt ap, i just saw he wasnt much older than me, but has skills money and time far far beyond what many people no matter how old get. in a way that guy is my hero, just based on skill level alone

 

[mjozefow]

Nothing like being consistant.

You might think no hold down is cool now but Elroy suspects you'll change your tune once stuff starts moving around and you scrap a few parts. But with your substantial experience level I wouldn't think that could ever happen to you

And why would you want to waste so much time making an inferior two piece eye weldment when blank forged eyes are readily available off the shelf ??? Let me guess, you could find the right size blank.

You sure do seam to know exactly what you want in equipment for being such a young fellow. Ya got a nice little project there but something doesn't add up but that's your deal now isn't it.

It's almost like you're retired with all this free time on your hands

Geez Elroy, when did AP piss in your cornflakes?

As someone who has restored various tools I would think you would understand that an initial inspection and a close inspection after disassembly can be two different things.

I would expect a sense of camaraderie, not this.

And not that it is needed, but I can vouch for John's abilities. He is no doubt a very talented individual.

 

[Bull]

Ok folks, just popping in here to remind everyone to keep things civil or good ol' Bull is gonna have to do some sweepin'!

Thanks a lot.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Elroy, he's just going about it his way. He's doing the work as he wants it done. I don't see where the problem is in that.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Elroy, he's just going about it his way. He's doing the work as he wants it done. I don't see where the problem is in that.

second that.

 

[A_Pmech]

Thanks for the support guys!

keep things civil or good ol' Bull is gonna have to do some sweepin'!

I hope that doesn't become necessary.

Thanks Bull.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Nice work on those turnbuckles.

 

[A_Pmech]

I finished the turnbuckle eyes today. Here's one of the long rods as I test-fit the turnbuckle end:

Here are all the parts ready to go!

After beveling I secured the rod and rod eye in a welding fixture and made a root pass with 6011. Here it is after the root pass:

Then I made a woven cover pass with 6013 to provide fill:

Here it is after fairing in with the grinder and a flap wheel:

The longer turnbuckle eyes, comparing before welding to after welding:

After paint!

Tomorrow I'll install the turnbuckles!

 

[Hiball]

Awesome Man... I missed this thread till today.

 

[Brad54]

Nothing like being consistant.

You might think no hold down is cool now but Elroy suspects you'll change your tune once stuff starts moving around and you scrap a few parts. But with your substantial experience level I wouldn't think that could ever happen to you

And why would you want to waste so much time making an inferior two piece eye weldment when blank forged eyes are readily available off the shelf ??? Let me guess, you could find the right size blank.

You sure do seam to know exactly what you want in equipment for being such a young fellow. Ya got a nice little project there but something doesn't add up but that's your deal now isn't it.

It's almost like you're retired with all this free time on your hands

What the ****? It's almost like you're jealous that someone else might be queen of the ball. The guy does some amazing work, and his projects are incredible inspiration for those of us who think being a tool guy is more than just lubing your ratchet and waxing your tool box. Both of which seem to be remarkably like choking your chicken and spanking your monkey, but that could just be me.

At least that's the way Brad thinks it sounds. Brad also thinks it's beyond stupid to post in the third person, but that's also just Brad's opinion.

-Brad

 

[OccupantRJ]

Purdy work, AP, we just might have to keep you.

 

[Brad54]

I finished the turnbuckle eyes today. Here's one of the long rods as I test-fit the turnbuckle end:

Here are all the parts ready to go!

After beveling I secured the rod and rod eye in a welding fixture and made a root pass with 6011. Here it is after the root pass:

Then I made a woven cover pass with 6013 to provide fill:

Here it is after fairing in with the grinder and a flap wheel:

The longer turnbuckle eyes, comparing before welding to after welding:

After paint!

Tomorrow I'll install the turnbuckles!

Holy **** that turned out good! I saw the pics of the piece when it was fitted together and thought "Damn, that's a good looking piece." Then I saw the first and second welds over it, and thought "Jeeeeeze... he buggered that up. What the hell was he thinking? Maybe he was having trouble with the welder."
Then "after cleaning it up with the flap wheel, I gave it to a blind guy to manually inspect the surfaces for any imperfections that would be too hard to see with the naked eye."
Damn... I learned a couple things on that post! VERY nice build-up and sculpting with the weld. It sure achieved the affect of an original cast/forged piece!
And, I need a flap wheel.

-Brad

 

[Elroy]

What the ****? It's almost like you're jealous

I can assure you that I'm not jealous. His work is good alright. It's almost a little too good for the "parameters" he's claiming.

I'm also glad his work is an inspiration to others. Elroy simply chooses to look past what's claimed on the surface.

Brad also thinks it's beyond stupid to post in the third person, but that's also just Brad's opinion.

-Brad

Well Brad, I'm sorry you feel so inclined to call Elroy stupid. Elroy is far from stupid. But that's just Elroy opinion mind ya. You're a little too dazzled

 

[scott37300]

I can assure you that I'm not jealous. His work is good alright. It's almost a little too good for the "parameters" he's claiming.

I'm also glad his work is an inspiration to others. Elroy simply chooses to look past what's claimed on the surface.




Well Brad, I'm sorry you feel so inclined to call Elroy stupid. Elroy is far from stupid. But that's just Elroy opinion mind ya. You're a little too dazzled

I don't want to get involved with a ******* match. And I sure don't want to get this post shut down because I think it is a great write up by a talented man.

But I do have a question for Elroy, what "parameters" is he claiming? And what should I be looking past what he is claiming on the surface?

I have no problem with someone asking why someone else is doing something a certain way but why turn a great thread into a ******* match? This guy obviously knows his machines and wanted this particular one. And is doing a full rebuild on it. Guess he thought the blades looked good when he bought it, then either realised they weren't or just decided to have them sharpened to be sure they were perfect for his first cut. And who cares how old he is or how much time or money he has? The thread is about restoring a nice machine and he is doing a great job and also a great job of the write up. So what if he makes his own parts even though others are avaible? Maybe he likes making his own parts, personally I think they turned out better than boughten ones.

Elroy quotes "Let me guess, you could find the right size blank. " Is this supposed to say Let me guess, you COULDN'T find the right size blank?

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Great restore so far AP, Keep them coming.

Now to add my 2¢,

I am glad you do these write ups, I am also glad you save a little part of history with every one and last but not least. Its glad to see some one your age who can do it all with out having to say "which program is that under?" Like so many that walk in my door.

 

[mikeatrpi]

Awesome job, AP. Wish I could run a lathe like that...

 

[A_Pmech]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the positive comments regarding my work!




I got the turnbuckles installed today, adjusted the gibs and lubricated everything.

Here's a photo of one of the lower connections:

And here's a photo of the upper connections:

Adjusting the gibs:

You'll notice that the turnbuckles do not have any jam nuts installed. That's because I made a minor mistake: I copied the shorter turnbuckle eye. For some reason I'll never figure out, Pexto threaded the long turnbuckle eyes much deeper than the short ones as can be seen in this photo:

I have a solution for the short threads: I drilled 3/32" holes in the turnbuckle ends and safety wired them with a modified spiral single-wrap:

Yes, the turnbuckle was machined a little "off" from the factory.

Now I'm just waiting on the shear blades.

 

[Elroy]

Why don't you simply face a little off each end of the turn buckle and generate some room for a nut.

 

[Demian]

Ahh! Safety wiring turnbuckles, now that takes me back

 

[mdim]

Very cool project. I love seeing these old machines brought back to life.

 

[RustFarmer]

For some reason I'll never figure out, Pexto threaded the long turnbuckle eyes much deeper than the short ones

The eyes are fixed to the machine and can not rotate. Only the turnbuckle rotates. Therefore, only one jam nut is required to lock the turnbuckle, so the single jam nut is threaded to the eye with the longer threads.

Your threads and photos are great! Please keep posting

 

[Brad54]

I'm a full-time freelance writer for car mags, and do mostly tech articles.

Besides the incredible work he's doing, what most of you guys don't realize is that he is easily doubling the amount of time it takes him for his projects, by posting them here. Add a camera to a project, and you're adding at least 60-percent more hands-on time. Cleaning the parts off, setting them up on, taking the pic, getting the light right, re-shoot because the camera didn't focus, shoot a couple different angles... even setting the camera down in a safe place and going back to get it to take some shots and then put it back takes time. You don't usually have your camera right where you're working.

Then he's coming in and downloading the pics, sorting them, resizing them and posting them on here for us.

I absolutely LOVE what I do for a living... but I do it for a paycheck. He's doing it just because we want to see it. I don't take pics of my own junk I'm doing that isn't for mag stories, because it simply takes too much extra time.

So besides showing us the quality work and giving us some inspiration, thanks doubly just for taking to time to do it!

-Brad

 

[Brad54]

Jeez... I was really happy with my Pexto stomp sheer, too... Why'd you have to buy the same one I've got, and then do a concours-restoration on it?! No I'm fighting the urge to take apart my perfectly good-working machine to strip and paint it.

-Brad

 

[A_Pmech]

Thanks guys!

The eyes are fixed to the machine and can not rotate. Only the turnbuckle rotates. Therefore, only one jam nut is required to lock the turnbuckle, so the single jam nut is threaded to the eye with the longer threads

Good point! I guess they felt they could save a little money on geometric die head inserts by threading the short eye 3/4" less than the longer eye and only using one jam nut.

So besides showing us the quality work and giving us some inspiration, thanks doubly just for taking to time to do it!

You're welcome!

Jeez... I was really happy with my Pexto stomp sheer, too... Why'd you have to buy the same one I've got, and then do a concours-restoration on it?! No I'm fighting the urge to take apart my perfectly good-working machine to strip and paint it.

Here it is all finished, awaiting newly sharpened blades. You know you want to fire up the sandblaster!





The data plate ready for etching. Some information blacked out to protect the innocent (and the guilty).

After etching I punched the screw clearance holes with a Whitney punch:

The finished data plate ready to install:

Finished except for shear blades:

 

[Scout Driver]

Your data plate (along with the rest of your work) looks very professional! Awesome work.

Scott

 

[metal1313]

..your o is a little messed up in Pexto...just messing with ya, execellent work as usual.


*notice-i am on vacation, and i cannot spell.

 

[Hiball]

Nice Work

 

[JohnFreeman]

John thinks you did a fantastic job, and that you should REALLY be proud of your work.

John

 

[Brad54]

Interesting difference between yours and mine--the part you stomp on is slightly different. Your's goes all the way across, mine has a half-circle taken out of the center of the leading edge.
I found out why it was cast that way, courtesy of Boy Wonder, my 15 year old son. He's left-handed, and I line everything up opposite of the way he does. I asked him if he wanted to make the next cut on a project, and he lined up where I was working, but put his left foot on the stomp, rather than his right, and slammed the thing down on his toes. When I work at the machine, my non-stomping foot naturally falls in the center of that cut-out.

He was not happy.

When I get mine in it's final location, I'm going to cut a 3/4-inch thick plywood mat to put under the machine, so that when I stomp it, the piece hits the wood, rather than slamming into the concrete. I'm worried that I'll stomp it one day and end up with a broken foot treadle. (or whatever you'd call the "stomper." Damn, that makes me look stupid describing it that way!")

-Brad

 

[ddawg16]

Outstanding job.....just down right outstanding.....

For what it's worth....there is an advantage to this type of shear versus one with a clamp....This type allows you to easily see your mark on where you want to cut....something that is much harder to do with one that has a clamp in the way.

This is a foot stomper....your not going to be cutting anything thicker than 12g or 14g....it's for light gauge steel....and makes quick work of it....

I've used one....just shove the raw stock up against the right (my left hand) fence....stomp on it....as the blade comes down it pushes the stock against the fence....everything stays put....I've never had anything shift on me. In fact, the only issue I have had is useing real thin material with a dull blade....then it wants to curl and pull the material down between the blade and base.

Once again....great job.

 

[A_Pmech]

Your data plate (along with the rest of your work) looks very professional! Awesome work.

Scott

Thank you, Scott.

..your o is a little messed up in Pexto...just messing with ya, execellent work as usual.

Yeah, I noticed that after I took the photos. Just a little fill paint I missed.

Thanks!

Nice Work

Thanks Hiball. Maybe one day I'll find a nice jack or three to rebuild.

John thinks you did a fantastic job, and that you should REALLY be proud of your work.

John

Thank you, John. It was a fun project and the result is definitely worth the time input. It's a great feeling to bring an old scrap-price machine back to as-new condition. Especially when the machine is yours!

I found out why it was cast that way, courtesy of Boy Wonder, my 15 year old son. He's left-handed, and I line everything up opposite of the way he does. I asked him if he wanted to make the next cut on a project, and he lined up where I was working, but put his left foot on the stomp, rather than his right, and slammed the thing down on his toes. When I work at the machine, my non-stomping foot naturally falls in the center of that cut-out.

He was not happy.

Ouch!

I've only seen one shear like that, but I don't remember where I saw it! That's the kind of thing steel toed boots are for.

Outstanding job.....just down right outstanding.....

For what it's worth....there is an advantage to this type of shear versus one with a clamp....This type allows you to easily see your mark on where you want to cut....something that is much harder to do with one that has a clamp in the way.

Thanks!

The lack of a hold down on a small light-gauge shear like my Pexto is a a definite advantage. No hold-down to mar finished work and as you say, it makes working to a scribe so much easier. Peering through the hold-down to line up a scribe line is such a pain.

I'll be using this shear only for small and light work. Eventually, I intend to compliment it with a large power shear when I find the "right one".

 

[arkangel06]

Very nice looking!