Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[BB767]

Note to everyone. On post 1235 (misc jack pictures) I edited the post to use the correct terminology of staked screws and not swaged screws. I reread the post this morning and hope I caught that error before I confused some poor unsuspecting soul! My bad. That's what I get for trying to post something right after getting home from 15 days on the road and flying home over 6,000 (9,650 Km) miles with very little sleep!

A trying to be correct, Thomas

 

[USMCBay]

One of the COOLEST POSTS I've ever seen... WOW... and how~!!!!

 

[thomask]

I still enjoy being amazed at your finds.

You should get a visit from "American Pickers".

Thanks for your continued sharing and pictures.

 

[BB767]

Thanks for the pictures Thomas!!

I verified last night, and indeed, I also have a "G924" stamped into the base of the hydraulic cylinder. All the pictures you posted look identical to my jack, so I must be on the right track.

One other pesky question, while I have your ear... My sheet-metal handle is cracked in several places - does everyone have advice on the best way to repair that? Also, how to remove the handle from the jack? I can remove the 2 mounting screws, but the handle still only slides up so far of the pivot mechanism; it won't come off fully. I must be missing something...

Thanks!

Jeff

Jeff to remove the handle what you're missing is........

.....a small roll pin that secures the release knob to the inner mechanisms. You can see it here below the larger sliding safety pin, 7 o'clock to it.

Here's a look at it on my other jack, it's that small indentation. It becomes full on "stuff" over the years and sometimes gets painted over so it is hard to locate. That's the original factory red paint and it's painted right over the roll pin so no surprise it is difficult to see. Once you know it's there and where to locate it, it's easy.

On the opposite side from it is a smaller hole, about haft the size of this one. That's to allow you to use a small pin punch to drive it out.

As for the handle sheet metal cracks........

.... rest assured you're not the only one.

These are repairable. The best way........ someone out there please make a suggestion. Braze it perhaps? I have a friend who is a genius at metal work and I just haven't discussed it with him as yet. If no one posts any thoughts on repairing it, I'll let you know what I find out next week when I see him. He can do anything with metal.

BTW, he's the guy who made the counter weight for the lift that was cut off.

See page 18, post # 348 on this. Repairing those cracks shouldn't be difficult after fabricating this.

Fortunately the original paint jack is in perfect condition so all I have to do is continue cleaning it.

From all you're telling me it looks like you have a very early Walker #784, 4 ton, Big Boy from the Walker Greyhound series circa mid to late 1930's. Nice score that! Hiball can get it operating in first class condition and might have some of those miscellaneous parts you're missing....except that nose piece. Those are hard ,but not impossible to find.

Keep us informed to your progress and thanks for sharing.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

One of the COOLEST POSTS I've ever seen... WOW... and how~!!!!

You make me blush..........


BTW,thank you for your service to our country!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I still enjoy being amazed at your finds.

You should get a visit from "American Pickers".

Thanks for your continued sharing and pictures.

I don't watch TV but I've heard about "American Pickers" sounds fascinating. Glad I beat them to the property!

I've got some more "day 1" pictures plus some from the 50's and '60's but I just haven't had time to organize, scan, resize and post. With the weather being so good now and racing season upon us, they're here lurking and leering at me waiting! Not to spill the beans but I hope to be able to post a link to You Tube regarding video from there, transferred from 8 mm film. Not promising anything but I'm working on it. I'm not done yet! More is in the works.......

Thomas

 

[Fueler]

I can tig weld that handle if you don't find another way and I don't mean a cosmetic weld. The crack has to be grooved out and filled back in so that all new metal is created.

 

[Bigpigdave]

I would recommend either Tig welding or Brazing the sheet metal. The area around the crack would have to be cleaned thoroughly and the crack grooved, should be an easy repair.

Thanks for all the great posts, I love these old floor jacks.

Dave

 

[BB767]

I can tig weld that handle if you don't find another way and I don't mean a cosmetic weld. The crack has to be grooved out and filled back in so that all new metal is created.

Hi Dave and thank you for the offer. Should I need you I'll let you know. It's nice having multiple repair options!

Since you're just "up the road" from the shop, stop in sometime and we'll swap Crazy Charlie stories.

Thomas

 

[CRTDI]

[QUOTE

Thanks for all the great posts, I love these old floor jacks.

Dave[/QUOTE]



Some more old jacks here:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278&highlight=show+jacks

 

[BB767]

[QUOTE

Thanks for all the great posts, I love these old floor jacks.

Dave

Some more old jacks here:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45278&highlight=show+jacks[/QUOTE]


Dave, I'm back home again and thank you for the link. I rarely have time to look at other posts. I've got my hands full with flying, racing and work out at the "ranch"! Fortunately Chris does bring interesting threads to my attention from time to time. That Blackhawk SJ-18 of yours is stunning!

Garage Journal members....Saving old jacks, tools and other "stuff" one at a time!!

Thomas

 

[CRTDI]

Like you with your Walker units, I just like looking at that SJ-18. It's really hard to think of it as a useful tool, it's more like art work to me.

Being a long frame jack, I expected it to be a bit heavy, but suprisingly discovered that the cast frame is aluminum. Maybe it's a forerunner to the modern aluminum "racing" jack.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Okay Thomas, here's one more guy prostrating himself, awed by the "Herculean Task" you and your family have taken on (and are definitely winning)!
I was sitting on the couch the other day, trying to find the energy to do SOMETHING with the mess in my SHOP/apt building I recently purchased and moved into, and I thought why not visit GJ for some inspiration. Well, I haven't visited here for quite a while and saw this thread with 280k visitors, so I thought it just might be worth a peek. Well, here I sit days latter, vision blurred, **** numb, and my mind blown away!!! You Sir, are amazing; and an inspiration to all of us who seem overwhelmed by our meager projects. After reading all 60+ pages of this thread, I would ask "What were you thinking and what are you drinking?!" when you bought the Johnson place? Whatever it is that you are drinking, I want some! Congratulations to you for your accomplishment of such an awe-inspiring project(s). I would also like to nominate your dear wife for Sainthood (for obvious reasons)!LOL

 

[markviii]

Omphaloskeptic - we're strictly milk, juice, and water (herbal tea for me) around here. We wouldn't get anything done otherwise! (we also don't take much time to sit around contemplating our navels - but we probably should try it sometime!) Only Thomas knows what he's thinking and whatever it is comes into being because he wants it to.

We both went into this purchase not knowing the extent of restoration and development that would eventually (and continually) take place. At the beginning, we didn't know if we could save the 1930s shop, but we're sure glad it turned out so well.

The fact that Thomas has a personal connection to the property and family was very important in going forward with this purchase/project. This has been a focal point and motivation for many of the projects that weren't anticipated (like jack and other equipment restoration and addition of the Morton building). Since it's going to be the location of our retirement home, we definitely wanted the buildings to meet our needs for the rest of our lives.

Glad we could contribute to others' motivation to work on their projects. Organizing all the pictures has helped us think in a more deliberate way about the entire project. The GJ has some incredibly versatile and talented members who have accomplished great things and also like helping others out on their projects.

Chris (markviii)

 

[BB767]

Okay Thomas, here's one more guy prostrating himself, awed by the "Herculean Task" you and your family have taken on (and are definitely winning)!
I was sitting on the couch the other day, trying to find the energy to do SOMETHING with the mess in my SHOP/apt building I recently purchased and moved into, and I thought why not visit GJ for some inspiration. Well, I haven't visited here for quite a while and saw this thread with 280k visitors, so I thought it just might be worth a peek. Well, here I sit days latter, vision blurred, **** numb, and my mind blown away!!! You Sir, are amazing; and an inspiration to all of us who seem overwhelmed by our meager projects. After reading all 60+ pages of this thread, I would ask "What were you thinking and what are you drinking?!" when you bought the Johnson place? Whatever it is that you are drinking, I want some! Congratulations to you for your accomplishment of such an awe-inspiring project(s). I would also like to nominate your dear wife for Sainthood (for obvious reasons)!LOL

Omphaloskeptic, first off you have one of the more interesting and definitely unusual user names. To save others from having to look the definition up it means roughly "navel gazing" or contemplating one's navel. We'll just leave it at that.

Your comments are very kind and witty as well. My thanks for taking a moment to wake from your stupor after reading all this, to express yourself here. My parents are partly to blame for all this. They brought me up with the idea that there was nothing I couldn't accomplish if I just put my mind to it and put the effort in. I've pretty well done that my whole life and darn'd if they weren't right! As I've stated here before, I'd been thinking about what I'd do if I could ever own that shop and sure enough I got the opportunity. I've been "living the dream" ever since. I didn't want to squander the opportunity.

As for the charming and always delightful Miss Chris, she has always been a terrific partner, if not always willing at first, in my.....well, unorthodox way of traveling through life. She is a saint to me.

Stay tune....

Thomas

 

[markviii]

Now I'm blushing!


Chris

 

[Call me the Breeze]

I have to say after reading this thread, it has inspired me to restore my old Walker Floor Jack. It is a Walker Hydraulic Roll-A-Car No. 782 Series A 2-ton jack. I got this about 18 years ago from a friend of mine who's grandfather passed away ( he owned an old service station in Fredonia NY ) and they wanted to get rid of it, plus a snap-on tire changer, and a Bear wheel balancer and hundreds of pounds of lead wheel weights for $50 bucks. I haven't used it much do to the fact it leaked all over the floor. After reading these posts I decided to tear it apart and see what was the problem. turned out it was just the packings needed tightened - silly me all these years of not using it. So while I had it apart, I decided to paint it up two tone maroon and almond. I still need to paint the side stripes and walker on the cast cover yet. It was originally a steel blue color but someone had painted the cast cover an ugly green. I know the colors I painted it isn't traditional, but I liked the combo. Does anyone know what year this is? did it have one of those cool nose piece cover on it originally? any information would be cool! Thanks, Breeze

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Here is another project I restored. An old Milton ( at least I think it is , Well it is now anyways) Garage Bell ( ding ding when you drive over the hose ) Got this about a month ago from an old service station a friend of mine owned. the price was right - Free and it still works. Got it inside my garage... Dings when I pull the hot rod in and out.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

This is the next project I got for my Garage. I picked this up a week ago. It is a 1940's Wayne model 80 ( I believe) gas pump. It is in really good shape, very little rust , minor dents in it, complete including all the mechanicals (pump and motor) inside, not that I am pumping gas out of the ground with it. It is one heavy son of a gun though. Thinking of restoring as an ESSO pump. The handle still rolls the numbers to reset itself. I think it's pretty cool. I need to find another face like the one shown. the other side has a different wayne face from a different model pump that doesn't fit right. I also need to find one more of the contains lead signs for the other end. Thanks to everyone on here that makes this an awesome site. I learn alot, and have gotten some really great Ideas from here. - Breeze

 

[D.J.]

Call me the breeze, the original colors were as I remember on the Milton a black base plate with the bell being argent, if you were wondering. But yours looks pretty cool in red just for your info. Good looking Wayne, also.
________
Tx16w

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Call me the breeze, the original colors were as I remember on the Milton a black base plate with the bell being argent, if you were wondering. But yours looks pretty cool in red just for your info. Good looking Wayne, also.

Thanks, The base was black, but so was the bell... The paint was pretty much gone when I got it. As far as the gas pump goes, most of the porcelin is still on it under that ugly gray color . When I start to break it down I might be able to find a clue of what it used to be. Every thing I have seen leads me to believe it is a model 80. all the frame structure is very solid on it.

 

[CRTDI]

I have to say after reading this thread, it has inspired me to restore my old Walker Floor Jack. It is a Walker Hydraulic Roll-A-Car No. 782 Series A 2-ton jack. I got this about 18 years ago from a friend of mine who's grandfather passed away ( he owned an old service station in Fredonia NY ) and they wanted to get rid of it, plus a snap-on tire changer, and a Bear wheel balancer and hundreds of pounds of lead wheel weights for $50 bucks. I haven't used it much do to the fact it leaked all over the floor. After reading these posts I decided to tear it apart and see what was the problem. turned out it was just the packings needed tightened - silly me all these years of not using it. So while I had it apart, I decided to paint it up two tone maroon and almond. I still need to paint the side stripes and walker on the cast cover yet. It was originally a steel blue color but someone had painted the cast cover an ugly green. I know the colors I painted it isn't traditional, but I liked the combo. Does anyone know what year this is? did it have one of those cool nose piece cover on it originally? any information would be cool! Thanks, Breeze

Your jack looks great!!, thanks for taking the time to post the pics. I might be wrong, but from the advertisement info that Thomas shared with us here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&page=53
it appears that the nose piece only came on the 3 and 4 ton models.

I'm wondering what's the model number for the 2 ton short frame "Shorty" jack?

 

[jabberwoki]

wow looks terrific

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Your jack looks great!!, thanks for taking the time to post the pics. I might be wrong, but from the advertisement info that Thomas shared with us here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&page=53
it appears that the nose piece only came on the 3 and 4 ton models.

I'm wondering what's the model number for the 2 ton short frame "Shorty" jack?

It seems that way. those nose cones really look sharp, I forgot all about that ad. The jack turned out good, but I know it will get marred up by using it. which is fine with me... that t-handle helped me move my old model T around the garage more times then I can count. It amazing how much nicer it rolls around with grease in the bearings LOL! They don't make jacks like that anymore- if they did , us average guys couldn't afford them.

 

[BB767]

It seems that way. those nose cones really look sharp, I forgot all about that ad. The jack turned out good, but I know it will get marred up by using it. which is fine with me... that t-handle helped me move my old model T around the garage more times then I can count. It amazing how much nicer it rolls around with grease in the bearings LOL! They don't make jacks like that anymore- if they did , us average guys couldn't afford them.

Hello Breeze and welcome. First order of business is my thanks for taking a moment to share with us and posting those great pictures. Sooooooo glad you saved that jack from a fate it certainly did not deserve. Also happy it will be used but not abused!

Two things that would be helpful to me and perhaps Hiball if he's lurking around here. Is the power piston cover thin sheet metal or thicker cast steel as shown on page 62, post #1235? Next can you post a clear, in focus, close up of the data plate on the base of the handle and also the front of the jack with the saddle raised and also under the front of the jack (just turn it on it's side). At first blush (seems we're doing a lot of that blushing around here lately ) I'm thinking your cover plate looks to be thick, cast steel. It might also help to state any letters/numbers cast into the power piston cast assembly. Then perhaps I can answer some of your questions.

As for parts for your Wayne, these people might help you out:

http://www.gaspumpheaven.com/

Full disclosure, I've never used Gas Pump Heaven before but friends who have are happy with them and I have seen their catalog which looks to be pretty comprehensive.

Thomas

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Thanks Thomas, The top is definately the cast one. I will try to get some pictures and numbers off it of that this weekend. I seen that site, and found another one too http://thepumpdump.com has a bunch of stuff as well but haven't contacted anyone there yet.

By the way, I didn't mean to hyjack this thread... The restored 1930's Auto Shop is amazing.

 

[hoopty388]

http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

these guys are helpful too. they help me with my petro stuff

 

[Call me the Breeze]

http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

these guys are helpful too. they help me with my petro stuff

Hoopty... I must have gone to this site 30-40 times and never went to the forum part of it, I thank you kindly Sir!

Jabberwoki - thanks

 

[jaso]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BB767
Wow Jason, that's a wonderful discovery! If you can post pictures I KNOW everyone here would love to see them. Try to take them with the jack still crated up and then step by step as it's uncrated. Scan the original receipt and post it too if you can. Any idea as to the date on the receipt?? Whats the story behind all this. Why was it never used etc.

Watch this space for more updates on this............

Many thanks for thinking of us on this thread Jason.

Thomas

Still no luck
The ****** realestate agent is being a ****** more so the dont beleive that i am the son of the owner of the house even though i have id and my birth cert to show them.
The second that i get into the shed i will post the pics

Jason

well I have found out now why the agent was not allowing us access to the shed that had all the stuff my dad had in storage

It is now being investigated by the police as the shed was apparently robbed 12 months ago and was totally emptied out

I am really pissed about this as there was a car in there that me and my dad restored when i was young and it was meant to come to me now that i am getting into the drag racing scene as a tow vehicle ( nissan patrol 1972 model 327 chev powered ) that has also been taken

Not happy sorry to get your hopes up guys

Jason

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Thomas,
First off, this is the best picture I could get off my camera, not too clear, but this is what it says.
Walker Hydraulic Roll-A-Car
No. 782 Series A
Range 3 1/2 - 20
2 ton

The casting number on the bottom of the pump is G874
The casting number on the right side of jack is G954
The casting number on the left side of jack is G964
Numbers on the inside of front wheels is G16941 I believe... hard to read

 

[CRTDI]

Another rescued Walker:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=470516

 

[BB767]

Jason

well I have found out now why the agent was not allowing us access to the shed that had all the stuff my dad had in storage

It is now being investigated by the police as the shed was apparently robbed 12 months ago and was totally emptied out

I am really pissed about this as there was a car in there that me and my dad restored when i was young and it was meant to come to me now that i am getting into the drag racing scene as a tow vehicle ( nissan patrol 1972 model 327 chev powered ) that has also been taken

Not happy sorry to get your hopes up guys

Jason

Jason,

I'm sure I speak for everybody here and we are so very sorry to hear that bit of unfortunate news. With luck the police can still recover those items and this will still have a happy ending. As I've told my kids their whole lives, the world is not a perfect place......unfortunately.

Keep us posted with any updates.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thomas,
First off, this is the best picture I could get off my camera, not too clear, but this is what it says.
Walker Hydraulic Roll-A-Car
No. 782 Series A
Range 3 1/2 - 20
2 ton

The casting number on the bottom of the pump is G874
The casting number on the right side of jack is G954
The casting number on the left side of jack is G964
Numbers on the inside of front wheels is G16941 I believe... hard to read

Breeze, from that information your Walker would be among the first made made in the Greyhound series (original data plate, "series A", cast steel cover plate) made in the mid late 1930's, a "Tom Boy" 2 ton unit. They used the same upper handle as the 4 ton "Big Boy" and the 3 ton "Shop Boy" units, but the frames are smaller, shorter and the power piston assemblies are correspondingly smaller as well.

As for the nose piece, the the 2 ton "Tom Boy" and 2 ton "Shorty" did not have them to my knowledge. The above is a picture that shows how a cast steel nose piece is bolted to the front of the jack. Later version jacks that used a steel sheet metal nose piece, changed from cast steel (like the power piston cover plates) used a different mounting method. If you look under the front of your 2 ton unit I don't think you find any mounting provisions. I have learned over the years there are always exceptions as manufacturers did odd ball "one off's " on occasion, but as a general rule the 3 and 4 ton units were the only ones outfitted with a nose.

Thomas

 

[Call me the Breeze]

Thanks Thomas, I was curious on how old it was. Mine doesnt have those nounting plates for the nose piece. Thanks to all of you on here for providing the motivation to clean and paint it up... been meaning to for a while now. I still want to highlight the side swoop stripes and walker on the cast cover. being a sign guy, my stuff is always on the back burner LOL! will post a pict after I finish it. It still leaks a little I noticed the other day. But for being over 70 years old... it's still really nice.

 

[Call me the Breeze]

One thing I have noticed though that is different from the other jack s here, is the other jacks show a bolt that holds on the side lifting arms ( just under and forward of the main pivot bolt) mine is riveted. also mine has a hole in the top of the lift ( between the main pivot bolt) which may be for a grease fitting? it doesn't have a fitting in there.

 

[rburke65]

I also have had good luck with "gas pump haven". Call for a cataloge.....they have every thing you could possibly want.

 

[BB767]

One thing I have noticed though that is different from the other jack s here, is the other jacks show a bolt that holds on the side lifting arms ( just under and forward of the main pivot bolt) mine is riveted. also mine has a hole in the top of the lift ( between the main pivot bolt) which may be for a grease fitting? it doesn't have a fitting in there.

Are you referring to the grease zerk.......

.....on the lifting arm toward the right seen above? You should be able to see it is this picture.

Here you can see on both jacks that zerk is there on the lifting arms by the pivot.


I have not removed mine yet to clean it. It might be a pressed in zerk as opposed to a threaded one. You seem to have the hole in the lifting arm there. If the zerk is missing, just replace it with either a threaded or press fit one depending on whether the hole is threaded or not. That pivot needs to be lubricated and grease using a zerk is the best way to do it.

BTW.... I have repaired the handle sheet metal cracks,(on the jack on the right above) plus a couple of dents in it as well and will post pictures as I am able.


Thomas

 

[CRTDI]

One thing I have noticed though that is different from the other jack s here, is the other jacks show a bolt that holds on the side lifting arms ( just under and forward of the main pivot bolt) mine is riveted. also mine has a hole in the top of the lift ( between the main pivot bolt) which may be for a grease fitting? it doesn't have a fitting in there.

That's a very good observation of the side lifting arm bolts. In the advertisements that Thomas posted on page 53, the side arm bolts don't appear until the 1954 ads, the first 1954 ad actually shows both configurations. The jack under the car has the bolts. The other two jacks do not. Perhaps the really early version jacks were riveted and the later were bolted?

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&highlight=floor+jack&page=53

 

[Call me the Breeze]

When I tore mine apart, the lifting arm had a threaded rod on each end as part of the whole unit.( main pivot point) that rod doesn't turn. It is part of the casting. I took the large nuts off the side, and slid it out. One side of the lifting support arms comes off (at the saddle end) which allows the jack to come apart. the other end of the lifting support arm was still riveted ( I guess thats what you would call it) and stayed with the jack side. Now the other jack side I couldn't seperate the lifting arm and support arm from the side, which made it alot more difficult to clean up. Major pinching finger moments. I can't see where a grease fitting in that hole in the lift arm goes to anyplace. I didn't notice any holes in the main pivot point rods. Maybe I over looked that. I just greased up the rods when I put them back together. It definately would have been easier if it had nuts to take off instead of those rivets. I will have to see if I can get a fitting in there and pump some grease and see where it goes. Thanks again for all the input you guys provided. much appreciated - Breeze

P.S. I have always known (zerks) as grease fittings - I will in the future try to refer to them as zerks

 

[BB767]

That's a very good observation of the side lifting arm bolts. In the advertisements that Thomas posted on page 53, the side arm bolts don't appear until the 1954 ads, the first 1954 ad actually shows both configurations. The jack under the car has the bolts. The other two jacks do not. Perhaps the really early version jacks were riveted and the later were bolted?

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&highlight=floor+jack&page=53

That could very well be the case CRTDI . Since there is no Walker written history that we know of, Hiball, myself and others have been trying to piece it back together from different examples, data plates with model numbers, changes in paint schemes if original paint still remains, and of course any ads we can find. As more of these items come to light I think we can get a better idea.
That's why it's so helpful when folks kindly take a moment to post pictures and any background information on jacks they have or know of. Jason's would have be a wealth of information had he been able to document it for us.
When exactly did the models change from 784 to 884, when did the color on the handles and wheels change from red, to yellow to white trim, when did the cover plates and nose pieces change from cast to sheet steel? We have a rough idea but when the ad from 1954 shows the jacks with and without bolts it really confuses the issue doesn't it??

..........but then that's what makes all of this so much fun, the challenge of it all.

Thomas