1950s Italian Bench Grinder / Buffer Restoration

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Complete and in depth restoration of a cool vintage italian bench grinder, probably used as buffig and cleaning tool.
I found this beauty listed on online market place near me for only 50€, had to have it! I always wanted one of this kind of grinders with long shafts. I think it will be extremely useful for quickly cleaning rust off pieces and buffing stuff out like my blades. Since now I made both this operation with small motors (a tiny bench gridner and a washing machine motor with a drill cuck) and it has always been a pain to work on bigger things as the motor or the base often gets in the way of you workpiece. With this extened shaft you can work all around the wheel and being this a mcuh bigger motor than what I am used to it's also nice to have the extra power so I don't stall the motor while pushing hard! Win-win!
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Index of operation and materials:
1:40 WD-40 to lubricate a bit the old fasteners
3:00 Old bearing will be replaced, so are removed with little care
4:03 Old placque is unreadable
4:30 Remove loose dust with compressed air
5:03 De-grease surfaces for better paint stripper action
5:28 Paint stripper brushed on and left on for 15-30 min
5:52 Old paint removed with card scraper and steel wire brush
7:00 Inside the grinder we find some surface rust, instead of removing it I seal it with rust converter, it's way easier for hard to reach areas. Grease or thick oil can be applied over the rust removal patina once it's dried to improve rust prevention.
7:45 The inside of the stand is treated the same way
7:58 Wire wheel on angle grinder gets rid of the rust on the main shaft
8:15 A soft and fine abrasive sponge removes rust from the rotor, just a lite touch!
8:36 Rust onverter is applied the same way as before also on the shaft get rid of rust in tight spots and prevent rust from coming back
9:22 A very very light touch of fine sponge abrasive inside the stator to remove bad rust spots
9:47 Unnecessary holes filled with bondo
10:50 New, sealed and anti-dust bearings installed
12:10 Hammered effect dark green paint brushed on, for this kind of paint brush works better than spraygun, the hammered effect develops better in my experience
12:47 Old fasteners restored with ultrasonic cleaner
12:50 De greased for 15 min with nitro solvant
13:03 De rusted for 15 min with rust removal
13:32 Blackened for 10 min with cold blueing fluid
13:45 Oiled well immediatly after the cold blue to prevent flash rust on the now etched steel
14:53 Switch housing cleaned with spray degreased
15:03 Old paint scraped with box cutter
15:16 Holes filled with bondo
15:27 Cured bondo and residue paint sanded off with fine abrasive sponge
15:37 Matt black spray paint
15:50 Switch cleaned with WD-40
16:06 And with solvent and fine sand paper where needed
16:22 Mark the position of the switch
16:30 Drill and tap for M3 mounting bolts
17:11 New wiring installed and unnecessary "fuse" connection shorted
17:24 All wires are crimped and fastened to terminals
17:52 Run and start capacitors re installed to simulate third phase
18:10 New mains voltage wire connected and ground wire bolted to the casting
18:40 All wiring and components secured with zipties
19:00 Motor and tray are bolted to the column with four M6 bolts and nylon lock nuts
19:18 Shaft extenders threads are cleaned with WD-40
19:30 And oiled with thin anti size oil
19:45 Shaft extenders are brushed with the motor running for convinience
20:20 Thin oil on every exposed steel surface
20:40 Old cotton buffing wheel is cleaned with steel wire brush
20:58 Steel wire wheel that came with the grinder
21:10 De rusted with rust removal fluid (and oiled off camera)
21:26 A new spacer is needed as the one that came with the wheel was loose for this shaft
21:35 Machining a new mild steel spacer on the metal lathe
22:23 Two thick washers were machined off camera
22:30 A fourth piece was machined off camera the same way as the spacer to be used as locking ring
22:32 Two flat spot are ground where holes needs to be drilled
22:37 Holes position is marked with center puch
22:45 And drilled for M6 grub scew
23:12 Tapping with M6 tap set
23:36 Grub screw
24:25 Fine polishing coumpound
Thanks a lot for watching, I hope you liked the video!
Suggestions and comments are welcome.
Leave a like and share to anyone who might be interested!
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[@BlackBeardProjects]

Fun fact: It took me two days (and a broken allen key) to figure out how to take off those shaft extenders. Yep... Two days! Crazy right? I almost gave up because afraid of breaking the shaft or rotor. I'm glad it eventually came loose! These new bearings run sooo smoothly... I love it! If you want to know more about any particular process shown in this video be sure to check description, I always write a very detailed list of operations and product used.

[@Ben-eh8uj]

First

[@christianh.u2920]

Gracias Saludos desde Perú

[@fthmzn5315]

verry beautiful

[@EricSajid]

you are an expert making a sandblaster time saving peace

[@andreaprovasi9786]

Black Beard Projects BADASS Bench Grinder!!! Che invidia!! Keep up the good work buddy!

[@brianheavner5461]

The skill, the tools, the solvents, the paint………all beyond me. Heck, I am impressed with the skill shown by using the flathead screwdriver!!!

[@mymechanics]

I love the streamline design of this grinder with the long shafts. Good job on the restoration 👍

[@austinXonXfire]

my mechanics awesome that you commented and are supportive. You’re actually the first restoration I ever watched, and I absolutely love your videos. You ingenuitive mind amazes me.

[@cjzx325]

It's nice to see the restoration channels supporting each other so much. A great community.

[@brunesi]

This was a good restoration. But it made me miss yours.

[@BlackBeardProjects]

Thank you my friend!!

[@cheif10thumbs]

The only thing missing was the "I make a new one" you do on your videos. Both of you gentlemen make great content. Thank You!

[@markharrisllb]

Love the British Racing Green. This to me is a true restoration, minimal parts replaced and everything up and functioning as it use to be.

[@stepcorngrumbleteats7683]

Beautiful restoration ! Heavy working machines like this (and you have restored a LOT) are a call for many of us who find these and bring them back to life and a pleasure to watch. TY for sharing your fine craftsmanship. Look forward to more !

[@garyjones2582]

Beautiful... Ready for another 50+ yrs...

[@johnnewton2949]

Bravo. Everything the Italians produce has style. What a lovely looking machine.

[@TheRedhawke]

Beautiful old buffer/grinder and I love the paint.

[@cjzx325]

This came out great! I really like the green you used to paint it.

[@gothamantiquities2595]

Just imagine how many of those era machines were scrapped??? Only if we had Blackbeard years ago!!! Great channel!

[@edmay1166]

That is a beautiful beast. congratulations on the addition to your shop, well done

[@RTRFriendorpho]

Love that it was originally painted in Celeste #227. Supposedly the color came from Italian military surplus, and was used for all sorts of things post-war.

[@Shawn_the_Protogen]

Very nice, a three phase grinder with an old style ceramic switch, classy.

[@Madlintelf]

Beautiful job, that thing looks fantastic, great choice of color as well!

[@Lesnz2009]

Cool great result and I find it interesting how different people approach restoration projects. The way they prioritise differently.

[@jaygreenwood7013]

Very nice! You can't beat rebuilt old tools. 10 times better than today's cheap garbage.

[@TheFurriestOne]

A vintage cast-iron beauty! Funny, I just recently found one of those beetles in something I was working on too! XD

[@rickpalechuk4411]

Great addition to the shop, that thing is a beast! Thanks for sharing, Cheers

[@mikeyraw6792]

I love the different sounds and the metal tinks

[@eezarabrab9027]

Well, it's official...I am now addicted to your videos. Some I watch several times. Just can't help myself. Extraordinary work, my friend.

[@JDLarge]

That came out awesome! It’s a beast... One tip I’ll share even though I saw your threads were right when you put on that buffer wheel. I usually stamp an “R” on the end of the right side spindle end during disassembly so when I reassemble I’m sure to put it back together correctly the first time. It only took once after reassembly and having a wheel come loose on me to learn that trick. Luckily I was able to shut down just as it started wobbling... Note to self: The nuts always tighten against the spin direction😉 I’m sure that will outlive is all, it’s a gem! Thanks for taking us along!

[@gutsngorrrr]

That's a lovely old buffing machine, just finished my own 1950s Union Jubilee Buffer Grinder and it so much better than any of the new stuff.

[@TheHarryroks]

This was a really practical restoration style- I liked it a lot, especially for something that you intend to use.

[@davidblurton7158]

agree,, not over restored but its now a great machine and very useful

[@Bk99JzM]

Witam!Świetna renowacja tego urządzenia,wygląda jak nowa i dalej będzie służyć,może być użyta jako szlifierko-polerko -czyszczarka,bardzo przydatna w domowym warsztacie, tak trzymać..

[@exodus_gs1166]

This is one of those projects where a sand blaster would have made it so much easier. But in the end the thing came out beautiful. But that paint... that has to be the best part. I have an old 60s 94 inch bandsaw and a large belt sander from the same manufacture and era that I will be restoring and painting the same.

[@lightning4871]

You did an outstanding job. This is why I watch all your videos.

[@joseignaciomartin4863]

This Is a beautiful work. CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

[@mikeyraw6792]

The green paint looks amazing!!!

[@danielabbey7726]

Excellent restoration of a fine machine. Love that sexy Italian engineering - the Bugatti of buffers!

[@riccardobossi5907]

My Italian heart cries, of all the great Italian companies, you choose the one that is French,

[@danielabbey7726]

@@riccardobossi5907 Ooops... you're right! How embarrassing (my wife is Sicilian).

[@riccardobossi5907]

@@danielabbey7726 no probs, the founder was italia, and the great EB110 wps designed and built in Italy, so you weren't completely wrong

[@lausd3562]

Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful tool to restore and then use in your shop every day.

[@jay1486you]

I love that your videos always make me want to go out to my workshop...even if I am watching them at 2 in the morning.

[@oldmanpottering]

Brilliant ! thank you for sharing, I loved the paint finish......I cant believe you did this with a bush !

[@desrj]

Deeply satisfying as always. Great work!

[@jamesshramek8841]

Beautiful restoration

[@poepflater]

Thanks for the share.... A nice trick to make your paint stripper stretch is to wrap the freshly painted pieces with plastic bags so it cant evaporate and dry out. It reduces the aggravation a bit.

[@isabellastone23]

Loved how you took the time to move the brown marmorated stink bug out of harms way .

[@carlmcgee1623]

Skill and effort results in a SICK outcome. GREAT WORK !

[@unclefuddelmer9224]

The “plaque” at 4:03 is the motor’s descriptive nameplate. Gives you electrical details of the motor ie; hp, voltage, amperes, phase, cycles, etc. Sometimes a magnifying glass helps to read it Or, you can bring out the details on the plate by wiping over it with oil or a darker liquid. Lightly wipe it in order to help the lettering retain the fluid. Hope this helps🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@norscanhordes]

Beautifully done, sir!

[@smasica]

Nice restoration. Glad to see you didn't go crazy and use body filler all over the machine like some other 'restorers' do. You cleaned it up, got it functional, and kept the character.

[@jamesconner8275]

Nice powerful machine with long extensions for working large objects. Looks new. Great job!!!

[@sillylilly4794]

Really beautiful restoration! I love the colors you choose to put on your stuff.

[@lambertax]

Finally a restauration without this fashion of the sandblasting... Very nice and efficient job. Well done.

[@davidrobinson7112]

Beautiful craftsmanship on the Italian grinder. I respect the skills demonstrated. This man is a master mechanics master.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Awesome Italian Bench Grinder restoration !!!!!!!!!!! Love the color you picket out for it.

[@WaldoG]

Of all of your videos that I’ve seen, this one might have impressed me the most!

[@johnbrown825]

Great video. Im happy to watch longer videos with less fast forward and more narrative

[@donrossi1603]

What a wonderful old Grinder..! SUPER Restoration & Craftsmanship..!!

[@timsmith1589]

Dude that's a cool grinder you got there. Great job on the resto and thanks for making the video.

[@johnestes1467]

Beautiful...this is what restorations are all about, in my opinion

[@PeterT1981]

Now THAT is a grinder.

[@restorecreate]

Nice restoration,and very good machine.

[@mingthemerciless6855]

Paint job is amazing.

[@plunder1956]

I love that green paint and your finnish is lovely.

[@MrNikolai1200]

Exellent! Very good job. I always watch videos on this channel with great pleasure

[@Clarkson350]

Nice unit and great quality restore

[@dantejaiudijr2792]

Beautiful restoration. That's the kind of machine that got a lot of purpose to it. Nice job!!!

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

I have a Jet long shaft 1750rpm buffer that I love. Good job on the restoration!

[@edadpops1709]

great old buffer I enjoyed the video

[@diegobom1]

Complimenti, un lavoro spettacolare.

[@timberdish]

Lovely job my friend, really enjoyed watching that one. Another very worthy addition to the shop!

[@basileuskaduceus5794]

I like the Italian colours on the switch.

[@Evolucion7]

Beautiful work, as usual!

[@user-sl3il5sz2s]

I feel envy for this lucky purchase. I love old cast iron machines. And stylish design. The threaded shaft extension is really a bit unexpected. Great job as always.

[@howarddodson3510]

Love the hum of the machine as you first turned it on. Beautiful restoration job! I enjoy your work!

[@jkr3008]

Holy crap. That colour is amazing.

[@eddierodriguez419]

Wow simply amazing restore!!!💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@BespokeBlokeDesigns]

you did an incredible job brother,well done

[@irritablearchitect]

LOVE the green hammertone paint!

[@Yra-139]

Hello! Very good video! Many useful things can be discovered for themselves, for further use.

[@javanbybee4822]

Outstanding job

[@lennyf1957]

Great restoration

[@williamlim5234]

Love your restoration and works keep it up!!

[@josepcb2882]

Genial, muchas felicidades, una Gran Restauración. Saludos desde Barcelona Catalonia.

[@daramulholland5256]

Your English is great!

[@larrybair8074]

Beautiful piece of equipment. You saved it.

[@bretthanes337]

Beautiful job!

[@riccroft710]

that's a really solid machine. nice job bringing it back to life.

[@joshdelay5856]

Love that green Hammerite paint.

[@electricitysucks5]

Same here.

[@Ivan-pq4jv]

I watch this with my dad and he love it

[@williamsimoninc]

i have a newfound respect for you after watching you scoop that bug up without hesitation lol

[@budman123052]

Great job, Outstanding!!!

[@arlinchaapel4616]

Good video I enjoyed it easy to follow It looked great when you got done with it

[@Tom-yd5lg]

super fine Job, the Power Button is the coolest i ever seen. Bella Machina !

[@eoingriffin11]

Beautiful restoration. Great work.

[@josuefernandosouza8617]

Belo trabalho, parabéns!!!! 🇧🇷

[@nolanwarner1882]

beautiful work

[@rubenbraekman4515]

That paint is gorgeous

[@beanieweenie9543]

Really nice machine I have been looking for one for a while!

[@brandonmccoy2414]

You did an awsome job!!! I enjoyed watching this video. Good job and keep up the hard work.😁👍

[@mmediaimage]

Super restoration

[@AaronNash13]

I always bake my bearings to expand them and they slide right onto the shaft. Great build

[@aviohebshalom3392]

Mmmm baked bearings...

[@alexandresobrinho5458]

Muito bom o vídeo! Obrigado por você faser vídeos assim.

[@stephaniesander5465]

Fantastic job!

[@OIFEagle]

Nice work, I love the color too!

[@titofernandezmeirino9832]

Superb work, gentleman, congratulations!

[@rlm98253]

Well done, sir.

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

I am very jealous of that! Beautiful job 👍 👍

[@59chris1]

Nice job sir and that's a lovely machine 👍

[@lindysmith13]

Great job. Very impressive restoration.