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I have a problem...

2K views 13 replies 14 participants last post by  Ocelot 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
About a year ago, my art professor told me that I should find a used tablesaw and restore it. He said it would give me a better understanding of the machinery etc.
I did that. For $150 I got a working saw that I proceeded to derust, fix the bearings, etc. I finished it, and then a scroll saw, and just a couple weeks ago I finished a 1960s Nikon microscope.

Well, today I got another Craftsman 103 tablesaw for $25! It is a lot more rusted, but it had other parts I want. The last one I got I decided to fix to perfection. This time I think I am going to just toss everything inside the bucket of Evaporust and call it a day. I can paint it afterwards, so I don't think that it will be an issue to not wire wheel anything other than the angle and height screws.
 
#2 ·
I don't see a "problem." You apparently derive satisfaction from taking other people's cast-offs and returning them to service. Not a single thing wrong with that!

The last "large" machine I bought new was my SawStop table saw. I've continued to add machines, but all are used, some in better shape than the others. I rehabbed the first few, taking them all apart, cleaning, scrubbing, lubing, and then repainting. But for the past few, I've only done enough to put them back into good service, meaning, aligned, tuned, and ready to use. I don't care about shop cosmetics.

I was noticing the other day that the decal on my SawStop is faded and beginning to peel. The red print on the fence measuring scale is also faded to nothingness. That's because the orientation of my shop is to the east, and the morning sun streams in on the saw, particularly when the overhead door is open in warmer months. I might replace the decal since SS offers them for a relative pittance, but the fence tape will remain as is.

In short, my machines are somewhat like me, I guess. Getting older, with aging evident, but everything still works as it should. I guess my machines fit me.
 
#5 ·
I had the same problem but mine was a curbside trashpick. I was hoping I could set the second saw up for my dado blade, but it was too far gone. I still derusted the top and what parts I could. I sold the two cast iron webbed wings for a few bucks and swapped the main table for my existing right extension. It only added 6 or 8 inches, but it is solid, not webbed and won't tip the saw. The biggest perk are the two additional miter slots which ended up very parallel to the originals. Now my larger crosscut sled is set up for several common cuts based on which miter slot the bar is set in. Good luck with your find
-JD
 
#7 ·
Some of us have done restoration of old automobiles for years. I bought a 1931 Ford for $100 and sold it some years later for $20,000. i won't bore you with the other expenses along the way.
 
#9 ·
You caught the dreaded machine restoration virus?
Do you crave the smell of old ARN and machine oil too?
So sorry for you. :-(0)

DO NOT for any reason visit the Vintagemachinery.org or OWWM.org forums.

Most newbies with ARN restoration disease find those sites and end up binge reading for so long; they miss work and family/friends need to organize an intervention.
Am so glad the site(s) didn't exist 40+ years when ARN disease infected my blood from hanging around folks who restored old steam/gas engines.

Best Luck, you will need it.
 
#11 ·
You need to be registered over on OWWM.org if you want to see some folks that have really gone in deep. Wait until you're scouring all of North America for a Yates American Y20 knowing it will cost and arm and a leg even needing restoration all before getting it shipped home.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Some of us have done restoration of old automobiles for years. I bought a 1931 Ford for $100 and sold it some years later for $20,000. i won t bore you with the other expenses along the way.

- Phil32
Ha! Isn't that the truth Phil. "$40,000 in parts and labor into this but I'm letting it go for 20k". Been there more than once but never count the labor of love costs.
 
#13 ·
Some of us have done restoration of old automobiles for years. I bought a 1931 Ford for $100 and sold it some years later for $20,000. i won t bore you with the other expenses along the way.

- Phil32

Ha! Isn t that the truth Phil. "$40,000 in parts and labor into this but I m letting it go for 20k". Been there more than once but never count the labor of love costs.

- Foghorn
48 Chevy Areoline Fleetline 2 door sedan. Bought for $8,000.00, put another $12,000.00 into it. I can sell it anytime for $8,000.00. Haven't sold it, so I haven't lost any money!
 
#14 ·
I knew a guy who rebuilt a Ford LTD. He said he just started fooling around with it and one thing let to another. Then he wished he had worked on a car that was worth something.

<sigh> There is an important principle in that.

-Paul
 
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