100-year-old "Chicago" Automatic Pencil Sharpener Restoration

[@slowneutron6163]

Fun Fact : The Chicago unit will sharpen your tips with a different accent than Boston units. I found I was writing too many aaaaaaahhs with the Boston unit.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Ooooooh that explains why when I tried writing out "the bears" it wrote DA BEARS

[@GuyMcPherson69]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 I knew it

[@bethsantoro1963]

I was blown away at how nice this turned out. I used one in the 60's but it was all metal. Busted my knuckles a lot. You did a great job and cheered when I saw JB-Weld come in to save the day.

[@CatalystRestorations]

The busted knuckles unites us all!! And I'm petitioning to get JB Weld added to the holy trinity of duct tape, WD-40, and Great Stuff expanding foam.

[@peteasmr2952]

They still had these "this design but all metal as well" in some of the 90's elementary schools I went too. I don't really remember the knuckles thing but I do feel like part of me remembers pain being involved in these. I mostly remember having to always end up emptying them out cause they would be so stuffed of shavings and no one else seemed to know how to empty it. And they were almost always placed above a trash can for easy dumping.

[@geraldboykin6159]

BOSTON

[@christopherprince3250]

My Great Aunt had one just like this in her pantry, sharpened many a pencil in it. I guess this is telling my age. Thanks for posting, brings back good memories.

[@CatalystRestorations]

You're very welcome, Christopher! Glad I could take you on a walk down memory lane 😁

[@BearWoodWorkshop]

I have one of these in the basement...Will have to try this for myself!!!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Best of luck, feel free to drop another comment if you have any questions while you're restoring it!

[@stephenbeveridge4614]

Have one of these all rusted up in the tool shed, it belonged to my old Grandpa, I’m going to search it out and clean it up after seeing this. Jolly well done on the restoration and thanks for posting, now I know how to disassemble and rebuild the unit.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Best of luck! If you have any questions, just drop a comment here. When you finish I'd love to see the finished photos! You can find my email in the about section of my channel.

[@sandiotoole4295]

I love the Laurel Green, brings back memories!

[@CatalystRestorations]

From the times when it was the default color!

[@davidfierce1136]

What a pleasure to watch this without any spoken commentary!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks David! I hate my own voice enough to never want to record it anyways! 😁

[@bigduke6764]

Beautiful job on an object that is so familiar to so many people.

[@CatalystRestorations]

It really is something that seemingly transcends time and bridges generations!

[@mikemuscatiello8787]

Spot on with the foam green for tat era sharpener! Great Restoration!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Mike! The color match is by far my favorite part of this restoration!

[@jairborges474]

Nice piece. Congratulations.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Jair!

[@joseantoniozamorarodriguez2215]

Te felicito amigo es agradable ver como trabajas y terminas tu trabajo, y lo mejor es que lo dejas como nuevo. Saludos

[@CatalystRestorations]

¡Gracias!

[@RestorationAustralia]

Looks way better well done.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks!!

[@ulfmeijer9514]

Wonderful! I laughed and hit subscribe when I saw that mirrored message :D Greetings from London.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks for the sub! I painstakingly wrote that backwards lettering freehanded, haha

[@chuckotto7021]

I have one similar to that one in my kitchen, It has a solid metal shavings container, rather than the celluloid type and it works just like new!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Awesome! They don't make them like they used to!

[@yaminibhamare1148]

Great job.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you!

[@lucydurham1403]

I just discovered your channel. This is excellent.....I now feel compelled, no, obligated, to go back and watch every one of your previous videos.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Enjoy your trip back in time! The video quality and editing gets a little rougher the further you go back, but we all gotta start somewhere and the charm is still there! 😇👍

[@mr.modern4419]

Fantastic restoration!!! 5 Stars !!!!! I wish I had a pencil sharpener just like that one!!!!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks! You can find this one and other very similar ones on eBay pretty easily!!

[@Saavik256]

Above all, I'm surprised how little yellowing there was on the celluloid. The end result is just gorgeous! Would be awesome to have one of these, but they were never a thing in my country.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Yeah, this one's celluloid was in the best shape I've ever seen! Apparently it was just sitting in a basement for 50+ years, which explains it!

[@wholefoodplantbasedmama5398]

Oooh I am glad to see that plastic guard on your grinder.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks! Safety first! I always wear full goggles but that guard has stopped numerous little things from flying at me.

[@teresawelborn1360]

What a beautiful little piece of history. I love the color. You do really nice work

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you, Teresa! The color is personally my favorite part of the whole project!

[@darrenwheatley4677]

Fantastic work, well done!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks, Darren!

[@kennethromeo7711]

Great Restoration!!!!!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Kenneth! ✏️✏️

[@kfiiitek]

You do really nice work

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Martin!!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

I remember when emptying the pencil sharpeners and clapping erasers was a school chore. I'm getting old.

[@CatalystRestorations]

I don't miss clapping erasers, oof I can still taste it

[@MrCooklw]

I love the highly technical special effects. 😊

[@CatalystRestorations]

Most of the budget goes toward special effects! 😂

[@alexandermorris8420]

Nicely done.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Alexander!

[@DANYMITERESTORATION]

100 years no more - looks like it rolled off the factory. great job!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Danymite!!! Love your restoration projects too, by the way! Keep up the great work!

[@DANYMITERESTORATION]

@@CatalystRestorations much appreciated, thank you for your kind comment.

[@jt9498]

Nice work. I remember using those in my school days back in the 1950's! :)

[@CatalystRestorations]

They really do seem to transcend time itself!!

[@BexWoodz]

Honestly really enjoyed this video! Thanks for sharing!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Rebecca! And you're welcome! :)

[@Occuria1]

I was like "please no talking, please no talking" then there was no talking! Happy dance!

[@CatalystRestorations]

You never have to worry about that! No Catalyst Restorations video will ever have narration or voiceover!

[@davidd.3868]

Perfect

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks David!

[@jorgetoloza269]

Dude that is awsome..I always enjoy ur videos. ..

[@CatalystRestorations]

Glad you like them, Jorge!!

[@lisicka333]

Мне нравится смотреть, как это устроено изнутри.В детстве любила разбирать игрушки на детали, чтобы посмотреть механизм.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Agreed! I never get tired of watching those planetary gears rotating!

[@robertmanley7556]

Nice job !! It looks really good and I really like the shade of Green !!👍👍

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Robert! Still amazed with how well I was able to color match the original paint color!

[@RESTORATIONOFSCRAPMETAL]

Cool project buddy , great restoration and beautiful result turned out, I liked it 👍

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks! I just love the retro look of it so much!

[@garymucher4082]

Nicely repaired and refinished. I hope the epoxy holds up for a long long time. Thumbs Up!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Gary! Me too, haha!

[@georgebrown8312]

Very good restoration job and the pencil sharpener works like a charm. Way to go.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks George! I would sharpen brand new pencils down to nubs all day if I could! So satisfying!

[@ЗефиротДавыдовыч]

Amazing!!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you!

[@modela4096]

I grew up with this exact same pencil sharpener in my parent's basement. Funny, I used it hundreds of times not even thinking about its age. One of my siblings grabbed it several years ago.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Crazy right? These things are indestructible.

[@smashyrashy]

@@CatalystRestorations apart from the piece you had to jb weld

[@withgodsgraceconsulting]

Starring diver Dan! Hilarious!!!😂😂😂 Great restoration! Thanks for sharing!

[@CatalystRestorations]

😂 Thanks for watching! I love LEGO as much as restoring things!

[@carrestore]

nice restoration

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you!

[@slackjaw703]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you! ✏️

[@melissanoel3039]

This is so awesome! Love the color you chose! And working great 😀

[@CatalystRestorations]

Ahhh! Thanks for watching Missy!!! 😁👍

[@Dbeldin]

oh my... i have one just like this one i would not dare to do a restoration on it. love the way it is...

[@CatalystRestorations]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with appreciating something for what it is today! Do what makes you happy! 😁👍

[@liminal-yez]

Wow ! I’m so amazed of what you’re doing! First: your vision of seeing things of what they can become and what we think is impossible Second: You are a truly artist, how can someone see the truly potential God bless your hands !

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you so much for the kinds words! Truth be told it's a combination of researching before I start the project and then just diving right in and seeing where it takes me until it almost tells me what it wants to be by the end.

[@mikewerner3797]

So satisfying to watch.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks! It's one of my all-time favorite restorations!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Like and subscribe if you remember your knuckles getting destroyed against the walls using a crank sharpener like this!

[@wholefoodplantbasedmama5398]

I remember using something like this as a kid at school

[@CatalystRestorations]

Seems even kids today can still relate!

[@brebaje1982]

Me atrapó esta restauración ya que también tengo un "sacapuntas" muy similar. Fue un magnífico trabajo pero tengo una duda, con el paso del tiempo y su uso regular, este tipo de sacapuntas requiere una "afilada" en su mecanismo. ¿Cómo sacarle filo a sus "cuchillas"?

[@CatalystRestorations]

"I got caught by this restoration as I also have a very similar "pencil sharpener". It was a magnificent job but I have a doubt, with the passage of time and regular use, this type of pencil sharpener requires a "sharpening" in its mechanism. How to sharpen its "blades"?" Great question! Luckily on this one the blades were still plenty sharp (as you saw in the video). If you find the blades on your pencil sharpener are dulling, you can try soaking them in vinegar overnight or for a more aggressive chemical you can use ferric chloride. It slightly etches the blades to give them more "bite". Best of luck!

[@marshyandco4]

Awesome work!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks! 😁👍

[@migueducaro]

Yo si pienso que eres un genio, tu trabajo es increíble, gracias por compartirlo con nosotros 😊

[@CatalystRestorations]

¡Muchas gracias Miguel!

[@gizzymeows5847]

The memories 😆 🤣 wonderful job 👏

[@CatalystRestorations]

CORE MEMORY UNLOCKED

[@bigvicsworkshop]

Nice recovery and repair! Looks great!!🤠👍

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Vic!! 👍

[@Resto-Rob]

Wow! That looks amazing!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Robert! One of my favorite projects!

[@micoasters]

All of the schools I’ve been too have some variation of these sharpers. They work better than the electric ones!

[@CatalystRestorations]

You really can't improve on perfection!

[@oneshotme]

About looks new again! Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you!!

[@oneshotme]

@@CatalystRestorations You're welcome!

[@garyjones2582]

So many pencils ✏, so little time.. Very nice work...

[@CatalystRestorations]

I could sharpen all day! Thanks Gary!!

[@ethan_anthem]

Great Restoration! Love how the green came out! But I think Diver Dan needs a name change to Snorkeler Stan.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Hahaha, TO BE FAIR...he is wearing both a snorkel and a SCUBA tank!

[@mercoid]

You certainly get a like from me 👍. It looks fantastic. And thank you for leaving in mistakes during the process. We all make them and the viewers appreciate honesty. I am amazed that the piece of celluloid survived 100 years. I would venture a guess that if 200 of these still exist yours would be the only one with intact celluloid.

[@CatalystRestorations]

I make mistakes on every project and it's how I learn for next time - figure I might as well give others the chance to learn too! And yeah, of all the sharpeners I've come across from this era I have never seen one with the celluloid perfectly intact. Basically a miracle!

[@firebird8600]

@@CatalystRestorations I have this same model in my basement workshop. I use it regularly, and the celluloid is still perfectly intact, just a bit yellowed.

[@Austeration]

Very nice project 👍 turned out pretty cool. Great job

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks!!

[@ThatGirlMintz]

When you had these in school as a child in the early 2000's 🥲

[@CatalystRestorations]

I feel like it's one of the few things in common that school kids have all had for 100 years!

[@ThatGirlMintz]

@@CatalystRestorations I definitely agree! Personally just seeing the same design but it being 100 years old makes me feel old! 😂

[@АмартияСаманта]

Very Nice video, Video of restoration with a sense of humour

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks for watching!! 😁👍

[@stephenkent8903]

Wonderful job. I hope you have a place for that in your workshop! I have a Boston pencil sharpener in my workshop. I think its appropriate since I'm from Boston.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Stephen! This does indeed now have a dedicated place in my workshop! I have a Boston pencil sharpener too that I bought with this one at the flea market. I think it's from the 1980's or so. Works like a charm too!

[@leprovostarnaud7091]

Magnifique restauration. Le taille crayon a 100 ans et je trouve que sa conception est vraiment très sympas.

[@CatalystRestorations]

C'est vraiment beau, n'est-ce pas ? Merci d'avoir regardé!

[@medicbabe2ID]

I could read it, so you have my sub. 😄 I would have anyway; the end result was a beautiful piece of history brought back to life. I had no idea how you were going to handle the clear center piece without marring the crest and the lettering, but it's a lot more well-made than I thought. Now I have some binge watching to do!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thatnks for the sub and happy binging! 😁👍

[@joshschneider9766]

My sweet home town

[@CatalystRestorations]

My hometown too! Daaaaa Bears!

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Vaseline may be rubbed on the cellulose to restore it. I think. Dont get mad if it doesnt work, its just an idea. The twin helicle is superior to the modern single helicle cutter. Youve got a really fine pencil sharpener there! Im envious!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Chris! I have another one to restore sometime in the future (a very old Giant) so I might try some Vaseline in a small inconspicuous place and see what it can do!

[@williamthethespian]

Amazing. Congratulations.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks, William! One of my favorite restorations I've ever done.

[@imalf61]

Great work, loved to watch 👍

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you for watching!

[@stevensmith2228]

As a life long Steve, I approve of the naming of thew saw tooth shark

[@RestorationsFOD]

Looks great 👍

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@Tbarr17]

I have a “Giant” model from the APSCo. With a tunable face dial for different pencil diameters. Otherwise the internals, celluloid and crank are all identical.

[@CatalystRestorations]

I love the Giant's design! Might have to get one to grow the APSCO family!

[@Tbarr17]

@@CatalystRestorations does yours have a makers mark on the inside of the bases neck. Mine has two initials of BB

[@M_to_the_T]

Great video, great restoration and wow what a great sharpener

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks bud! It's a beaut!

[@fernandorodriguezmaya3997]

MARAVILLOSO BUENÍSIMO GRACIAS

[@CatalystRestorations]

GRACIAS!

[@jalechavez6042]

I like Shark...jaaaaaaaa...Muy Bien...Saludosss

[@CatalystRestorations]

Sawtooth Steve says thanks for the shoutout!! 🦈🦈

[@lazyzabel1892]

Awesome vid 🤘🤘I loooove the comments about how you managed to break it even more!! 😂😂

[@CatalystRestorations]

Haha, I am my own worst enemy but it makes for a good entertainment! 🤷🏽‍♂️😂

[@ifga16]

Went to the site and was amazed at the sharpener battles over patents. One unit pictured looks a bit like a meat slicer and would definitely be barred from elementary class rooms.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Pretty crazy history, right? Also I can just imagine a kid sharpening their finger in the meat slicer looking one 😱

[@jamescraig5421]

And now to the next 100 years.👌

[@daveellis9301]

Nice job well done it looks great 👍

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks David! This is still one of my favorite restorations!

[@moriatix7199]

Awesome restoration :)

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you!!

[@JuanJuan-qg7dv]

NICE

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Juan!!!

[@KazakovNik]

Thanks. Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to know how a pencil sharpener works )

[@CatalystRestorations]

These are my absolute favorite kind of comments! You are so welcome!

[@essentialhandyman]

Very nice restoration. That'll keep for a lifrtime.

[@CatalystRestorations]

It's used all the time! Check out my latest video to see it make a cameo!

[@essentialhandyman]

@@CatalystRestorations I’ve seen it. That’s what made me watch this video.

[@lolcec81]

Комментарий в поддержку канала и ролика, а также труда мастера.

[@CatalystRestorations]

"A comment in support of the channel and the video, as well as the work of the master." Thank you very much!!

[@metallurgymike1568]

watching 16:00 on loop for the foreseeable future

[@CatalystRestorations]

I should make it into a perfectly looping gif.... 🤔🤔

[@grinpick]

Nice looking result. Having used JB Weld (epoxy w/ steel filler) I'm skeptical that it will prove reliable in this repair. But I watched you test it and so far so good.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Definitely so far so good!

[@miktasgamel5561]

nice result, especially that you repainted in similar color and the preservation of the original casing. but I think you could be more gentle when sanding areas with remaining text. on the other hand could the sanding of the tri-broken piece have been more intensely after the cold welding. but nevertheless great restoration of this fragile piece.

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks Miktas! It's always a careful balance and game you have to play when you've got an extremely pitted surface and delicate, shallow text! Luckily in this case I was able to carefully remove most of the pitting and deep scratches and keep the text legible.

[@markneo1]

Excelente trabalho. parabéns 👏🇧🇷🤘

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you!! Hello from the USA!

[@razorboyXVII]

Very nice! 👍

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you! 👍

[@Stsafos]

Excellent result. Did you change the bearing ? Or you left the original ?

[@CatalystRestorations]

There are no bearings in this.

[@Stsafos]

@@CatalystRestorations yes, you're right. I thought there was a bearing behind the ring gear. My mistake!

[@biscoitosdocesesalgadoscom1544]

Sensacional 👏👏👏👏👏

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you!!!

[@gauloisfranc1426]

Il est vraiment dommage que vous n’avez pas joué aussi, au petit chimiste, avec la partie en pexiglass, pour retrouver sa transparence ! Pourtant il existe des tutoriels sur KZbin, pour cette technique !

[@CatalystRestorations]

"It is really a pity that you did not play the little chemist with the pexiglass part, to find its transparency! However there are tutorials on KZbin, for this technique!" Hi! I really wish it were possible to de-yellow the celluloid! Unfortunately, the de-yellowing process, commonly performed with hydrogen peroxide and UV light, only really works on opaque plastics. The process only 'attacks' the outermost layer of plastic, so in the case of transparent plastics you will never be able to de-yellow the 'inside' plastic. This process also embrittles the plastic to some degree, and in this case the celluloid is already extremely fragile so just a gentle cleaning is best in order to keep it in one piece.

[@Ice_Trey21]

And to think that someones great grandparents couldve used that before, crazy

[@CatalystRestorations]

It is crazy and probably very likely!

[@ethancock2546]

Kinda weird to think that the students who’s pencils those shavings belong to are 99% most likely dead now

[@CatalystRestorations]

The guy who I bought this from said he bought from an estate sale of someone who had this in their basement and hadn't touched it in like 50 years. So I *think* it's safe to assume there's no dead kids involved. But definitely still SOME dead people.

[@dirkvoges6218]

wirklich toll geworden... Gruß aus Deutschland

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks! Greetings from the USA!

[@Duchess1223]

11:23 Hey, be nice to yourself! We all make mistakes and that's ok. Accidents happen, it's how you deal with those accidents that matters. It turned out great, super well done! I was kind of hoping you'd retrobright that celluloid plastic, it would have looked practically new!

[@CatalystRestorations]

Haha, I just have to poke fun at myself for the fact that on every project I always end up doing something that creates a bunch more unplanned work! 😜 But I always figure out a way to make it work in the end! Also I wish I could have used the retrobright process too. Check out the video description notes - I made some comments on why I couldn't use that technique here.

[@MickyFoley]

Sorry, I couldn't follow the "If you can read this, please subscribe" mirror message. I subbed probably months ago :) Well done, and you already said, you need one or two things to really make a restoration better. Like for welding, sandblasting, etc. You'll get there. You said, you're good at puzzling: Riddler Restorations woulds also have been a good name. Just saying! :D

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thanks!! Things like sandblasting or welding are great for sure and many of the 'big' channels use them regularly, but I'm really trying to avoid using them because I want Catalyst Restorations to remain as accessible to the vast majority of viewers as possible who want to follow along and restore their own items but only have a minimal set of basic tools.

[@986359975]

Yo tuve uno asi pero todo de metal cuando era chica y edtaba en el colegio regio tajador

[@CatalystRestorations]

"I had one like this but made of metal when I was a girl and I was in high school." Cool! It seems almost everyone has the shared experience of using hand-crank sharpeners :)

[@robertwysocki2587]

Świetna robota Brawo

[@CatalystRestorations]

Dziękuję Ci!

[@FanOfLiberty1776]

Very nice work Subscribed

[@CatalystRestorations]

Thank you and thanks for subscribing!! Welcome to the club! 😎