Restoring an Ammco 4000 Brake Lathe

[@thirdcargarage2951]

Brilliant Wes, My dads friend owned a VW bug repair shop in the 70’s. I would turn drums and rotors at his shop on the weekends when I was 10 years old up to 15 years old. That was the exact same lathe I used. He would have a stack of drums for me to turn. When he did a brake job during the week, he would swap out drums with ones I would pre turn. Funny thing. I bought a fiberglass 70’s dune buggy a couple months ago. I turned the drums on my lathe at work last week. Brought back a lot of memories. Then seeing this video just really made my day. Yes, this was a video worth making to me. Thank you Wes. I am only 50 years old. But in my lifetime I have seen the country become a throw away society. Glad you appreciate good equipment and now have the ability to use it.

[@WatchWesWork]

I makes sense for me with all the weird stuff I get into.

[@travelingkaspersworld4096]

That is a great story about a clever dad.

[@carlthor91]

First garage I worked in, in the mid 70's had one as well. Best wishes all

[@williamfindspeople4341]

Yep, reminds of building my 40 Ford coupe, for figure eight racing. That sound gets deep into soul!!

[@texasjetman]

The shop I worked in early 1980’s had the same model or very close to it. Brought back good memories.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Loved watching the DuPont overhaul man! Looks great imo. I grew up on an Ammco Lathes. Brought back a lot of memories watching this haha. Second can I just come work with you? I think we'd get along just swell. Plus we could swap really cool sayings and fix stuff and throw some tools and things....

[@WatchWesWork]

Two wrongs don't make a right!

[@SouthMainAuto]

@@WatchWesWork true, but it would make for some great videos 😂

[@peterlevy7679]

That would be no good Eric O because there would only be one show to watch not the both of you.

[@michaelsbehnke98]

Definitely should collaborate in some videos👍🏻

[@martincolleran7109]

I suggest a crustoff....find and fix the most rusty crusty car out there and put it up for a poll on who had the crustiest vehicle.

[@giggiddy]

Brother, the many different disciplines that you cover are what make your videos stand out. You dont burn out any one topic or repair. Definately a jack of all trades. Much appreciated!

[@WatchWesWork]

I get bored easily!

[@marcryvon]

Jack of all trades ? Nah, a real, traditionnal mechanic guy. A rarety now. I'm sure, when Wes was a kid, he put apart some stuff and put it back together - with maybe some left over parts !! Now, looking at something unusual to repair, he looks at it and figure out how it works and why it failed. Ilove and highly respect that kind of person.

[@jimjohnson9079]

Beautifully done!!! It's good to know there are true craftsman left in this country. We need you young guys to save the future of our decaying United States. Let's make America great again.

[@andrewcampbell5341]

Classic Wes -“got these these aerosol rebuild kits......”

[@mattmopar440]

thats a Craigslist engine rebuild kit right there

[@eddiepatterson5025]

The krinkle can rebuild 👍

[@V8PropaneBurner]

Love it! I'm gonna borrow this expression.

[@jrevillug]

Restoration in a can. 👍

[@JeremyLucas1879]

"Reman in a can"

[@Melripley48]

I have watched this before but with time on my hands I remembered I had enjoyed it so I watched it again. I enjoyed it again because of your calm & understated approach, your broad range of skills and your willingness to accept the value in things made in the past and to do your best to bring them into the current day and provide good service again. It's a bit like the "17 years in the wild forklift" story. It's not about scrimping & saving it's about the human spirit and self belief necessary to think it through, plan & deliver in front of up to 200,000 people. After 70 years of watching people do things like this and having been involved in a few less impressive things myself I offer my congratulations on a job well done and encourage you to take on even bigger challenges in the future. Cheers, Brian

[@Aengus42]

I love seeing old, forgotten tools come back to life. Repair & reuse is more important than recycle! A splendid job Wes. I enjoyed watching each step.

[@adrianalanis20000]

Hey I just bought an Ammco 4100 from an auction and this video will help me a lot to bring it back as it was when it came out. Thanks a lot !!

[@munched55]

*Can't wait to see the cleanup o the tire machines.*

[@richardtruesdell8289]

The amount of knowledge you have at your young age is astounding. The electronics background on million dollar machinery and then to see you work on these rust bucket snow plows blows me away. You are a one of a kind incredible man of many talents and we appreciate watching you work on anything you tackle, thank you.

[@benturner4774]

I will watch Wes work on anything

[@markbowen3638]

Brake lathes are great, when working on oddball classic cars they actually are a must. Nobody makes rear drums for a lot of the stuff I see any more! That was a nice restoration and will go on giving great service for years to come. Hate the throwaway society, and every little helps. Nice one Wes, interesting content as always 👍

[@Milner62]

Even if you buy new you should still turn them to make sure they are perfectly round. I've had new rotors and drums warped/out of round new out of the box before. In the automotive industry it is standard practice to turn even new but most shops don't due to time constraints plus with rotors a slight warp won't cause an issue such as shaking or a slight out of round drum won't cause a brake pedal pulsation.

[@baseball4697]

Really like your restorations, saving older equipment from the scrap heap.

[@terrydikkers4707]

Wife looks very nice in the dress. Great job with the lathe, proud of you.

[@marcryvon]

Yep, very nice and chic Lady. Lucky man !

[@dennisbailey4296]

I have used that particular Brake Lathe for 25 years or so. Great machine they do really good finishing. And the setup is usually very good. You are missing some adapters but they are available. The the control is really simple and works well just try to make sure you're using Good Carbide Bits. All of best from Canada

[@Fredrik3626]

Hi Wes, I’m very knowledgeable on your new tool. Back in the day (60,s through about 2000) I used the lathe almost every day. It was a workhorse of a machine and paid us back on our investment many times over. We spent 4 K for the lathe for the same reason you did. We couldn’t wait for our local parts and machine shop tying up a lift for days at a time. I’m sure you get years of service from it and I wish you the best. Fred Thomas in Skokie IL.

[@concernedcitizen1395]

I spent years in a brake shop and your finished project looks exactly what I worked with for years on a daily basis,,,great job

[@rayscrafield2106]

Wes, you have made my heart flutter. I spend 40 years servicing the different types of auto repair facilities and I've sold and serviced many of these machines. You did a great job of restoring a piece of equipment that will outlive you. We live in a world now that has no appreciation for what/how things used to be done. The simple act of oiling and greasing things to make them last longer is even a thing of the past. I have always said that it all started with the Bic pens. Throw away stuff. Why? Why not fix things and keep using them. Maybe the landfills wouldn't be overflowing with cheap crap.

[@bentrubisky6712]

I currently do the same work you did. I am jealous of the room and accessibility he had to work on this lathe. You know as well as I do that they are usually pushed against a wall and things stacked all around. And filthy! I’m sure you have plenty of stories with 40 years. I just finished year 8. We don’t do a ton of lathe servicing but I work on a handful a year. We mostly work on AC machines , lifts, tire machines and balancers.

[@Very_Angry_Citizen]

Those machines are worth restoration and make an excellent addition to any garage or shop. Congratulations, Wes. That's a keeper bro! I'm jealous. 😆

[@kenclark6614]

Nice to bring old equipment back into use.

[@larrystoodley7193]

When word gets around that you can turn rotors and drums people may come to you instead of the parts store because of the turn around time

[@ajwilson605]

And at $5 a drum/rotor, it'll pay for itself over time......

[@roveradventures]

Place I used to work for charged 15 a rotor...car or truck. And it could take hours.

[@TheStuntastik]

Most Ive ever made somebody wait for resurfacing rotors is 4 hours, and I run commercial sales. Waiting days is, frankly, bullshit on the stores end.

[@e-racer4673]

@@TheStuntastik They try to discourage you into buying new rotors or drums

[@ralfie8801]

E-Racer The joke's on them. I'm not buying new unless it's needed. I'll go elsewhere - even if it's an hour drive to that elsewhere.

[@gayle4804]

The redo of the old machine is amazing. Great job

[@cambo1200]

Cool, I have one of these with the bench and was planning to restore it in the future. Used it at my dads shop when I was a kid. Thanks for the motivation!

[@WatchWesWork]

Get to it!

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

Great job on the restoration Wes! 😀👍 It looks even better on the stand with the adapters on display! What a handy machine to have at your disposal 🙂👍

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks!

[@danf4616]

Shop looks like a "Bangladesh ship breaking yard." 😂

[@paulsullivan6392]

OUTSTANDING comment Wes. I am still chuckling.

[@ianallen2]

Still looks tidier than my shed. lol.

[@williamhuckle467]

The shop looked like that from when he moved in. I am thinking when he going to get it sorted

[@donpampel3332]

Mine looks like it must have 6-7 ships in the process.

[@littlewingpsc27]

Not quite a "Bangladesh ship breaking yard" as you aren't wearing sandals, but close enough I guess.

[@mdouglaswray]

Great work restoring this abandoned tool! Not bad! Thanks for doing these Wes, love to watch.

[@brandonberger4451]

Saving your grandfather's bench absolutely MADE this build. Definitely one of the coolest builds to date. Nice job 👍

[@PigBoat9]

48 minutes of my Saturday afternoon well spent.

[@pettyfogger2305]

Very cool, Wes. Your ability to tear into tired iron, particularly unfamiliar T.I., grasp the Insidious sneaky oddities and then explain them to us in concise, understandable terms is a rare gift. Thanks once again for allowing the Walter Mitte types in your crowd to slay another rusty dragon! You ARE the Man!

[@mattmopar440]

Always nice to see equipment being put back in service if you treat your tools right they will last you a lifetime

[@allaboutfishing1699]

Fantastic restoration Wes. Bringing a bit of history back to life. Great recycling

[@Bunk599]

Nothing more satisfying than restoring a quality vintage machine.

[@castvee8]

One of the best episodes ever. You had it all-Great restoration, wife in fashion show(winner!) and so damn much dog I was so impressed. Great episode, hope the dog is Ok and I give this episode rotor turning thumbs, with a side of wife and dog!!!!!Thanks for the video!

[@michelecrown2426]

I've been rewatching a lot of your videos. This is one of my favorites. Not only did you save a worktable, but a machine that I think will prove to be more useful than most people think. Especially with the supply chain times and increase in parts prices.

[@johnzaazouh6951]

Awesome restoration Wes! Love seeing old precision machinery restored and used again!

[@mrdiyguy123]

I'm considering buying 2 old Ammco lathes that look a bit worse than yours looked when you started. It was very helpful for me to see the disassembly. The dress was fine but the smile was even better.

[@themajority5716]

You did a Damn nice job there Wes! I'm jealous tbh.. Thx for sharing.

[@ackack612]

...."polishing the brass on the Titanic...." who says that!?! Brilliant! In addition to seeing your lovely wife, however briefly, and hearing that, well, a serious win win for me. Thx!

[@infocpctrainer]

just off to slumber, now I've got to watch Wes, my Saturday fix.

[@Ottonic6]

Didn't think anyone used these much anymore, but having one on hand is a money saver... I enjoyed the restoration video. Thanks!

[@katar0t0]

Amazing resto, well done Wes, looks great and I'm sure will come in very handy, I lost count how many rotors I could have saved with one of these :)

Ceramic brake pads---some say----can cause accelerated rotor wear....????

[@richardtruesdell8289]

I would watch you rebuild a cardboard box, you're that good and the dry humor and your "assistant" adds much needed humor thank to all of you.

[@lloydrobinson7081]

I really enjoy watching u take apart & put stuff back together & have it work. I love watching u r videos. Please keep them coming

[@willemstreutgers1154]

Wes this is an absolute win win, no time loss for sending out, no costs spent to others and more. Very nice refurbished machine.

[@JasonTurner]

Great job! Love the time and care that you put into your tools! Keep up the great work. I enjoy the longer videos!

[@warusweims]

That red coating on the o.d. of that national seal is called, "bore tight". You really shouldn't need to coat the seal in any sort of loctite to keep it from free wheeling. Great work Wes! It's nice see someone with your skill set succeed.

[@mitchklaserner9842]

I was doing calculus homework... guess that is going to have to wait now

[@WatchWesWork]

Who needs derivatives anyway?

[@giggiddy]

I used to love mixing all those chemicals in calculus.... OK, well, maybe I didn't do very well in school...

[@imouse3246]

@@giggiddy So you could calculus if it would explode?

[@shadowbanned69]

Looks more like Pakistani truck channel..lol

[@toosavvy3504]

@@shadowbanned69 .... Bigger 'brake lathes' tho ;

[@thetoolman3]

I love the process of taking a forgotten, neglected tool and making it work again. Most of my big machines are in that category. Your aerosol restoration skills look fine to me. Keep it up Wes.

[@greggb3079]

Hey, take it easy on the custom paint job (hammering on that freeze plug). Besides seeing Mrs. Wes in a dress, which was a real treat, I think you reviving "grandpa's" old work table and deploying it there in the shop was an awesome tribute to the "ole gent". Great work on your part, and great video Wes, as always. Thank you sir.

[@melissawilliams7409]

I am a firm believer that brake lathes are not obsolete. I have been a auto technician for years and telling a customer with a 3 year old vehicle with warped rotors that they need to purchase $120 worth of new rotors isn't something I enjoy doing when they can be resurfaced for a fraction of that. So I'm glad you agree!

[@GjS-UK]

My Saturday is complete with a WWW video to finish my day 👍

[@ChrisJones-qj4xz]

Nice job Wes. Pride of ownership is a real thing when adding functional new to you tools to your shop. You know the work that you do in your area and you're sourcing the necessary tools to do it. My hats off to you.

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks!

[@michaelfield9467]

Some thing to be proud of wes I’m a dinosaur and I thought the beak lathe was extinct and you just kept buying new junk rotors drums thanks for restoration video that could be in the salesman catalog

[@nickturner2813]

Yes, those "beak lathes" are extinct, they were replaced with, what we call today, brake lathes.

[@smijas]

The craft, tenacity and skills to get something old and worthwhile back to life is something special. I really enjoy these projects.

[@martintaylor984]

Use cold blueing for the adapters!!!!

[@horstszibulski19]

Or heating up an quenching in motoroil? Nice idea!

[@Coinfindr]

both of those are good ideas

[@BMC1100]

That was going to be my suggestion.

[@TheStefanskoglund1]

Lin seed oil (put the item in an owen and apply the oil with a rag - some of it will burn.)

[@aaronjarvenpa1743]

Wish there was a mechanic like you near me that has the talent like you do .

[@WatchWesWork]

There probably is.

[@joetrippi1603]

Great addition for the shop..

[@jovytidd227]

The original brake rotors on most vehicles are better quality and are worth resurfacing. The aftermarket rotors are cheap but poor quality. Thanks Wes for a great video and all the tips and help you give us back yard mechanics. I am Running 2 Fords and 1 Mopar all with no payments and clean inspection stickers !!!

[@blainerueckwald]

“aerosol rebuild kits” love it.

[@chrispza]

Your incidental references to Bangladeshi ship-breakers yards is the impetus for yet another dive down the rabbit-hole. Great job, Wes!

[@AyFrame]

Great content Wes, nice machine. Can I be the first to say mrs Wes looks good in her new workshop overall 😂

[@jtthill5475]

Super restoration, Wes. That lathe looks better than new, and probably works better also. Hope the puppy gets out of jail healthy and happy as usual. Thanks for sharing.

[@Spelter]

Nicely done, I would love to see how you lathe a drum though. I never saw that and when you should do it. I always changed the drums what is expensive and hell.

[@WatchWesWork]

We'll do one at some point.

[@helmutkrahn9337]

Transformed into one very good looking "work station" - almost as attractive as your assistant! Trust that holds true 2 years on; recently found your channel and like your style so much that I've started catching up on your previous videos. Cheers.

[@imouse3246]

"Grrrrr!" 😂. Need a small shop vac on the back of the table to collect all that rust dust. 😉

[@inquisitive980]

You had me when you mentioned the shaft wear. Solution: grind it clean, plate it, and finish grinding it. I have not done that in a very long time. It was a close tolerance hydraulic spool. Small enough in diameter and small enough in bearing where I could grind it in house. There used to be shops around where you could have had the shaft ground for a song. Have not worked with a plater in many years, so ease unknown. Great display of mechanical knowledge, patience, satisfying your toughest customer. Yourself!

[@niteninja0133]

Thought I wasnt gonna see a video today. Would've been a crap Saturday

[@moyockmoo2]

Great job, Wes. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. And I'm 67!

[@WatchWesWork]

That's great!

[@TreyCook21]

Best thing about a RonCo brake lathe: you can... **points to audience, audience yells** "Set it and forget it!"

[@BasedBidoof]

There's something so nice about seeing people use proper tools to do the job right. I love you

[@nitrous07me]

Same one we’ve got st the Chevy dealership

[@paulatkinson2849]

Until the paint isn't chipped it won't look used nice to see an old machine sympathetically restored 👍

[@kingsbury26]

Noooo! Must have captions, how else can I watch in the middle of the night, while my wife snores like a steam train? 😁

[@transdimensionalist]

headphones

[@heithdotysadventures7824]

Earbuds . Your own bedroom A shed . Vast ways of making this happen. ✔👍 good luck

[@WatchWesWork]

I could turn the speakers to full and my wife wouldn't even flinch.

[@heithdotysadventures7824]

@@WatchWesWork 🤭😁

[@daren3146]

Wes, if you ever get the feeling you want to organize, clean or do construction on your shop (like the rear right corner, potential office) please film that. That would be a good watch. Love your contents

[@frankkirby5763]

Wes you are amazingly smart. A problem solver, mechanic, machinist, millwright, electrician, etc.

[@spelunkerd]

Nice to see people are still doing this. When I replaced the front rotors on my Suburban, the new rotors were thinner than the old OEM. Guess they don't leave much room any more to take metal off. I hate throwing stuff away, it seems like such a waste.

[@cjm6271]

Hi Wes, I'm not sure if your grandpa is still with us, but I love that his old cart is representin' !! Nice job!

[@lisadeyoung5361]

Same machine we used at Goodyear for nearly 10 years. It got a workout, with 5 Tech's going at it in a busy shop. Love that machine.

[@matthewhoffman9242]

That brake lathe look exactly like the one my dad use out at the local auto shop......they still have it as far as I know

[@joeblow2063]

Man... I was just transported back in time watching that lathe go. Ran many, many of those in shops way back.

[@hatfez]

Every autoparts store I ever worked in, (and, there were many) we had a 4000 on a bench in the back. I swear I can still blow my nose & smell the steel dust that would settle there. You even have the vibration strap for vented rotors! Nice going!

[@marcryvon]

Awesome job, Wes. As good as new. And readily available when you need it. Nothing's like having your own tools !

[@maxstotto3594]

I can see that you appreciate a working model with eye-appeal, the brake lathe's not bad dressed up as well! Nice job.

[@tattoos1988]

I have watched this video about 5 times lol Wes you take so much off my mind with your videos my cancer treatment is more bearable with each of your videos lol I’ve been a subscriber for years and I love rewatching your videos I wish everyone good health stay safe god bless you all ❤

[@texasjetman]

Awesome job Wes. Well done. Just can’t imagine why anyone would hit dislike on an informative How-To-restoration video. For Pete’s Sake. They need to pass on bye and it stop on your page. Loved the Krylon-in-A-Can rebuild comment. For a guy they dislikes painting I think you did quite well.

[@grosseileracingteam]

Nice job Wes. Nice of Mrs. Wes to put on a goin' to town dress to celebrate the lathe revival. Hope Max will be better soon.

[@ianwiese1]

Honestly if didn't say you found that table out in the field somewhere I would have thought it was brand new. Whole setup turned out great!

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks!

[@gardeningpreacher]

NICE Job!!! This takes me back to the 90's when I was a GM Tech... I turned my fair share of rotors and drums on one just like that...

[@bill8by5]

Glad you brought that Brake Lathe back into extremely usable condition. Your attention to detail is really the nugget of interest with it. Kinda wish youhad taken the motor out and cleaned it up too, but not a visible part anyway. It works great and looks even greater!!! Keep it up Wes!!!

[@jameskurdy4873]

This was a real treat for me, I'm a watchmaker/repair person. I love fixing machines of all types

[@jamesshanks2614]

Nice job rebuilding the Armco brake lathe. They are not obsolete by any means. Just very useful.

[@paulwomack5866]

I ask for more machining videos - AND YOU DELIVER - in an unexpected, vehicle-related way. AWESOME!

[@fitzpreacherfarm6826]

I like the old school stuff. This sounds like something I would do. I enjoy watching your videos.

[@tinkermouse-scottrussell3738]

Thanks Wes for taking the time to share this one with us I enjoyed this one. Play Safe From Elliot Lake Ontario Canada.

[@zemantire]

I HAVE the exact model in my shop. I bought 6 of them from TIRE AMERICA In the early 80's. i sold 5 of them an had enough money left to buy a pickup truck load of brake pads. my machine had two of every cone. My machine was brand new at the time. looked like it was used maybe ten times. i've never done any thing to it in 40 years. and now it looks like yours when you got it I dont have the circuit breaker with the on off switch. i still use mine at least once a week. its time to rebuild mine. but its been a good machine THANKS ZEMANTIRE TOWN

[@handyhippie6548]

this brings back memories. the first shop i worked in had one like this. with three bays, that song played all day long most days 'cause we didn't have the silencing band. it looked like this one started out. you've got this one all gussied up like a bride on her big day. i'll bet this is the happiest lathe in the county. good job!

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Wes I enjoy your videos first because they are so varied and second because you are so talented. I’m a retired aircraft mechanic and just enjoy you making something out of nothing. Thanks for sharing and you and your family stay safe and well. Artie 😊 I’m also located in the Long Island NY rust belt. Enjoy seeing how you work with rust Lo 👍

[@okeechobeejoe2868]

I love to see old things brought back to life .....great job !

[@CAPNMAC82]

Excellent vid. Length was just right. Dog content was good too :). It's a good "establishment" video for when the tire machines get documented. And, it shows the progress of a one-man shop where the one man has a variety of skills and abilities.

[@FOOKYOUTUBENUMBERS]

What a great Channel this is only found You with this stupid lockdown in UK, I haven't normally got time to watch KZbin, but I found Your channel due to Me fixing a fuel problem on a Forklift, I Fixed it with Your help 👍and now Am Hooked, I think I will shut My business down and just watch KZbin all day, You cant make money with business anymore in this Day and crazy age. On serious note though Thanks for Your great info, I bet a lot people feel the same, so thanks again Wes😀