New machines to restore

[justanengineer]

The bare strip I am going to have to fix that. It is so pitted from rust. Thinking of a "cap" of sorts. Maybe 1/4 plate and Tig some threaded studs on the bottom. Drill and attach from below.

JMO but I wouldnt bother, doing so will hurt both the function and form. Gray iron is much better as a bearing surface than steel, pitting simply helps with oil retention and capping it or otherwise modifying the machine only hurts value according to most South Bend purists. I'd knock the paint off with a wire brush or scraper then maybe give it a few strokes with a stone.

 

[McBrownie]

JMO but I wouldnt bother, doing so will hurt both the function and form. Gray iron is much better as a bearing surface than steel, pitting simply helps with oil retention and capping it or otherwise modifying the machine only hurts value according to most South Bend purists. I'd knock the paint off with a wire brush or scraper then maybe give it a few strokes with a stone.

Agree. I'm no expert, but the pitting should help hold grease (clean it if it gets full of chips ). I'm really enjoying watching the restorations. Keep up the good work.

 

[jabberwoki]

Stuff like this brings a tear to my eye.
Great job, looking forward to the completed group shot.

 

[Cgantner5150]

You guys win - I'll remove the paint from the shaper "strip" and let the pits be. Makes sense. I was worried about the overlay strip not being level or flat.

As per request, here is a pic of the electrolysis tank in action (atlas mill base in there).

 

[Cgantner5150]

The Atlas mill is coming along nicely. Got a lot done over the weekend.

Fresh out of the electrolysis tank


Pressing new bearings


Spindle back in. The back gear was a terror.


Primed and painted parts


Reassembly started


As she sits tonight.

 

[Bogash]

Incredible. I was pleased as punch to be able to take down my little Atlas Press, clean it up, and get it back together and working. You take this to a whole new level. I feel like I'm back in kindergarten. Very nice work!

 

[Cgantner5150]

I LOST THE KNEE GIB. I can't believe it. I have looked all over the garage and I misplaced it somewhere. I did find a piece of steel that works but it's not the same. Damn.
But while I was out there this afternoon, I got the table auto feed gearing and housing on. Threw in the arbor support and arbor. I need to make a new window for the selector and the motor mounts and counter shaft need paint. I also need to find a nice vintage motor.

 

[nine4gmc]

You don't waste any time, great job! Mine has a huge(case) 1/2 hp MASTER brand motor on it that looks like it's been there since new. There are a number of Atlas brand motors on ebay right now too.

 

[Cgantner5150]

The shipping charges are crazy on eBay. I'll check again though. I did notice that the die filer motor works...... I hate to use parts from one for another. I plan to restore them all.

I sent some pics and video to the original seller. He says he is going to keep an eye out for me. He empties garages and buildings on occasion. Lord, I'm in trouble.....

Plan on making a proper knee gib - I do have a shaper after all.

 

[Cgantner5150]

The Atlas MF is alive. I used a 1/3hp motor I had on hand (from a whole house fan). I had to make an adapter out of wood (temporary). Grabbed a 4L290 belt and started her up. I have no way to hold any millable material yet but she runs and the table feeds as it should at all different rates. The counter shaft is making some noise and it got quite warm.
I also decided to plug the Butterfly Die Filer in and see if it worked - it does. Maybe it will be next.....

 

[Ghost11]

Very cool

 

[ndnchf]

I'm watching for your die filer restoration. I have one too that needs restoration. From what I've read, many have the main bearing badly worn. I interested to see how you deal with it. There is a good thread on restoring one on the OWWM metalworking machines forum.

 

[Cgantner5150]

The Excelsior Power Hack Saw is back to life, finally. Ordered a blade off eBay. Got the 1/2 hp motor that came with it running again. Not sure if it's wired correctly but I have it running on 120vac. I can't seem to find much info about the terminals and the wiring tag is long gone. It does have the motor plate. The switch that was mounted on it is a Magnetic Starter (studying up on them now).





Little video of it running

 

[kentenn]

Wow! Beautiful work! VERY nice.

 

[nine4gmc]

Super nice man!

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[Tejaas]

GREAT thread!

Breathing new life into old machines will always be the best part of GJ.

Oh, and nice Union/Parker vise ya got mounted on your bench.

(The 4" U/P vises are my favorite all around.)


~Tejaas~

 

[Cgantner5150]

Thanks guys.
Nine4 - Stumbled onto your monster thread not long ago. Wow is all I can say.
Kentenn - checked out your site. Beautiful boxes but a bit out of my league.
Tejaas - That vice I picked up a few years ago. She was rough and had a couple of cracks at the bottom of the static jaw. TIG welded them up with some stainless filler and it's doing fine.

One more machine to go from this last haul - the die filer. May take a little break before I tackle that one. Probably won't. Haha. I need to rearrange the garage / shop to make room. My step son also wants me to make some stove knobs - the cheap **** he keeps buying from stove manufacturer keep breaking. I have some 3 1/2 aluminum bar that is perfect. Chucked it up in the Southbend this afternoon....

 

[bubinga]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Breathing new life into old machines will always be the best part of GJ.

This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FANTM58]

I'd love to see a video of these machines in action.
I'm not even sure what the shaper does ?
Beautiful job !

 

[Cgantner5150]

Blade for the Excelsior came in as well as some cutters for the Atlas.

Fantam58 - the shaper an interesting machine. It is a metal shaver, is the best I can describe it. It's old and slow but just mesmerizing to watch. I think I have some video of it working on my YouTube.

Here is the hacksaw cutting some stainless shaft.

 

[nine4gmc]

Where did you pick up the Atlas cutters? I need to be on the lookout myself.

We got Merc's 12" Craftsman commercial setup today, that joker is NICE. The bed is has obviously thicker ways than my old 12"x36", double belt on the headstock and just smoother feeling.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Absolutely fantastic.

Regards

 

[Cgantner5150]

Picked them up off eBay. I can on you the seller info. Asked them what sizes they had. They had 5 sizes for the 7/8 arbor (only one I have). Made an offer for a set of 5. Done deal.
I have a regular Craftsman 12 x 36. Nice machine - but not a Commercial.

 

[nine4gmc]

Small world man, I helped Merc unload that Atlas last night. Looks great, congrats on the Bridgeport as well, I just picked one up before but haven't got it in the shop yet. Post up if you restore it, I would love to see your work, the Atlas looks GREAT in person!

 

[Cgantner5150]

The Bridgeport is huge. I didn't think We were going to get it into the shop. Had to nod and lean the head over. Then push it with the forklift tines. On the lookout for a pallet jack now. And have to do a major reorginazation of the shop to make room.

I was thinking about cleaning it up and put to use but I don't know. It came out of a machine shop and it looks the part. I can't have funky machines.

I'm going to start a post no matter what.

 

[Cgantner5150]

Little preview

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice! I need another forklift... I'm borrowing Merc's pallet jack to try and get mine into the shop next week some time.

 

[Cgantner5150]

(Un)fortunately the forklift is not mine. The owner of the lumber yard on the corner is part of the family by marriage. He always enjoys the crazy things I need for him to help me with.
Very high quality lumber is always available to me also (Gueydan Lumber).