jz2delta
Active member
Picked up this 15-655 recently runs well, but cosmetically tired. Restore or clean up thoroughly and use as is. As a side note, does any make replacement badges?
Restore this old Delta or use as is.
- Thread starter jz2delta
- Start date
Old Woodworking Machines
owwm.org
Metalworking subforum.
More people on that site have forgotten more about Deltas than
anyone else on the planet.
And there are several on there who make badges.
Heck, some of those guys CAST their own replacement 'arn' parts for things!
owwm.org
Metalworking subforum.
More people on that site have forgotten more about Deltas than
anyone else on the planet.
And there are several on there who make badges.
Heck, some of those guys CAST their own replacement 'arn' parts for things!
rsanter
Well-known member
Doesn't seem to need a resto to me. I would clean up a few parts that have some rust on them. Lube it up and put it to work
Bob
Bob
mkat1951
Well-known member
My vote is as is.
txvwnut
Well-known member
If it was mine I would have all the entention to restore it, but that probably would never happen as it would get put right to work. My vote is to give it a good cleaning and then get it right to work.
rlitman
Well-known member
Isn't this missing the speed control knob?
I'd do a "functional" restore. Meaning check all bearings, give it a good clean and ensure everything that needs to move is moving and everything that shouldn't move doesn't. Mind sharing what you paid in that condition? Does it run thorough the speed range properly?
There are a number of places to get badges. You can even make your own. For the speed indicator plate that will probably be the most feasible solution. Or install some type of generic tachometer be it analog or digital.
No, just the speed indicator needle and plate. The smaller knob to the lower left is what actuates the speed adjustment.
There are a number of places to get badges. You can even make your own. For the speed indicator plate that will probably be the most feasible solution. Or install some type of generic tachometer be it analog or digital.
No, just the speed indicator needle and plate. The smaller knob to the lower left is what actuates the speed adjustment.
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I did not get a smoking deal - $340 but it came with a big honking vise from an industrial milling machine, which is probably worth a couple of bucks. I watched CL for a month or so and this was about as good as I could find. It was also about 3 blocks from my house, so no 50 mile RT to pick up, which is a bonus in Los Angeles. The front badges were off the machine soaking in simple green. they are in rough shape and I can live with them, but reproductions would be nice to find. I am cleaning it as I go. There are years of gunk built up on it. Reading everything I can on this site and others about cleaning and maintaining. Two of the knobs are broken off the speed adjusting knob but it works. I have the speed needle and can jury rig it to work.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Are you going to show it or use it to build stuff?
Alexbn921
Well-known member
I can tell you from experience that restoringing a DP is a big job. It took me months to get it done, but it was worth it. Part of finding an old DP was bringing it back to new condition. You also learn the machine and can fix tune it so that it doesn't do any damage to itself. I would at least service the motor and bearings along with a good clean if a full restore is not in the works.
My DP as found
My DP as found
ez-duzit
Well-known member
IMHO "restoration" hurts the value of any tool. When buying a tool, I want to see its condition, so I have a feel for how it had been treated, how much use had it had, or if it had been abused. Fresh paint I avoid at all cost.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
My vote: Restore it if you plan to keep it. You will enjoy it more.
BTW: look up pictures of DPs that are similar to yours on www.vintagemachinery.org.
BTW: look up pictures of DPs that are similar to yours on www.vintagemachinery.org.
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454ragtop
Well-known member
Meh, that arc of shame isn't too bad, at least they stopped before they drilled right thru. Seem them so bad they look like they're ready to break in two. Nice press, OWWM is definitely your best bet to find the missing parts and any info needed.
Jim
I fail to see this as a valid point. Paint, fresh or not, will not hide cracks, holes in a table, wear on shafts, dull blades, bent pieces, etc... Don't get me wrong, a spray bomb special has me very leery upon inspection. I have no interest in someone "sprucing things up" just to make a sale.
A true restoration involves going through all the bushings and bearings, making sure parts are within tolerance, brightening up bare metal, addressing any issues stated in the previous paragraph, and yes some new paint put on in a professional manner. By doing all this, the machine is brought back to original or better condition. It makes no sense for the value to decrease because of it.
If the machine is in good running condition and requires no repairs, I'm 100% for keeping it original, if that's what the owner desires.
yaidunno, I think ez-duzit is referring to those slap some paint on it, over-spray and all "restorations". A true restoration, as you know takes time, effort, knowledge, patience, money, etc. In the end most often an item the restorer needs to keep long term. I have had to get rid of a few pieces that I restored as upgrades came along and it would have equated to <25¢/hr for the restoration.
Fretters
Well-known member
I'd just give that a quick fettle and use it. Doesn't look in bad condition.
Quick gripe mode. Bugs the **** out of me does 'arn'. A nonsensical term made up so they could name the SWARF forum swarf instead of swirf. Please, for the love of God, leave the use of that term to over there.
True restoration involves nothing more than bringing a piece back to good working condition. The whole repainting and brightening metal parts are totally separate things. Doing those as well actually classes it more as renovation than restoration. Something could be perfectly restored and you could be hard pushed to notice little or any discernible visual difference. Fresh paint and cleaning metal, (bar where cleaning the metal is necessary to restore correct operation), are completely optional.
Heck, some of those guys CAST their own replacement 'arn' parts for things!
Quick gripe mode.
Bugs the **** out of me does 'arn'. A nonsensical term made up so they could name the SWARF forum swarf instead of swirf. Please, for the love of God, leave the use of that term to over there.True restoration involves nothing more than bringing a piece back to good working condition. The whole repainting and brightening metal parts are totally separate things. Doing those as well actually classes it more as renovation than restoration. Something could be perfectly restored and you could be hard pushed to notice little or any discernible visual difference. Fresh paint and cleaning metal, (bar where cleaning the metal is necessary to restore correct operation), are completely optional.
I suppose it does take on a different tone depending on how you read "restoration". No harm, no foul.
As a side, I like your hourly rate. I've got some items that need attention
ez-duzit
Well-known member
The table shows it was used hard by amateurs. There's nothing for it but to replace it or cover it up. When using my drill presses, there is always either a slab of plywood or MDF on the table, or a machine vise.
Fretters
Well-known member
Leave it be. It's nothing more than cosmetic.
live with it. if you really want to do something to fill them in, you can solder, braze, or JBweld it up and use a fine file to level it. personally, it wouldn't bother me. I have 3 drill presses that I use regularly, and they all have various holes and slots for mounting from the factory. a few more like that really makes no difference in actual use, though I have found filing the table a little more flat (especially on chinese machines) does help when I am clamping something more precisely.
Doug Arthurs
Well-known member
That arc of shame is nothing compared to one I bought. I actually made a table to go on top as the damaged almost completely separated the table into two parts.