Saving and Restoring an Axelson Lathe: Big Brother 20" steps up and helps repair handles.

This part is all about getting those frozen shift handles back into working order... Rain water has rusted the inner parts and I have to find a way to disassemble the handles without damage... Used the Axelson 20 inch to make a holder for the handles... A little overkill but hey....

[@bcbloc02]

Rust is a powerful weld!

[@dmadere1]

Boy you got that right!!!

[@CarlHargreavesRustyRelicsUK]

I appreciate the amount of effort and time you put in to making these videos. I am currently working on putting another video together, it takes a while just doing bits and pieces around work commitments. You and Don do well, to entertain us with as many videos as you put together. Thanks 👍🏻

[@10swatkins]

Your welcome!

[@edsmachine93]

Way to go. Great idea. Your preserverance paid off. Great content, EM.

[@10swatkins]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@larryshaw6517]

Great demonstration of perseverance.

[@10swatkins]

Thank you sir!

[@andrewd.1113]

Mr. W. another great video! The reason you couldn't find the grease gun was because you have a Gremlin in your shop. I have them in my shop too, and I can't seem to get rid of them. I know you have more experience than I, but using the lowly Propane Torch to heat rusted parts helps a lot after you've soaked them in oil. Another 2 cents worth. Keep the videos a commin' !

[@10swatkins]

I am not total sure that these outer pieces are not chromed so I was avoiding heat...

[@andrewd.1113]

@@10swatkins OK, sounds good...Keep up the good work, and Videos!

[@robertpanter5576]

Good Job. If you get into that situation again ,by pass the zirk altogether and screw the hose directly to your plug.More volume on the grease.

[@andrewd.1113]

Good idea!

[@10swatkins]

I was thinking of that too but did not have a metric tap for that hose... The john deere fittings were much better :)

[@DDB168]

Well done for persisting with that very tough task.

[@10swatkins]

Thanks!

[@THEIRONWORKER]

By the time you get to the last one . You will have it all figured out

[@10swatkins]

Ain't it always the way : ) I have one last one to do but need to make a new holder as it is a smaller size... I was thinking of counterboring it for the o ring like Wayne suggested , that would take care of the leakage around that end...

[@dannywilsher4165]

Good job Steve!!! I have a few handles on my LeBlonds that I am going to have to do some repair to some day. Mine are a different style and I think I will have to make new stems to fix them. Fun, fun, fun!!!

[@10swatkins]

Go for it!

[@craigywaigy4703]

To free up the handles: Fill metal bucket 1/3(or just enought) with waste oil/diesel(4/1 mix). Heat thoroughly and boil soak for 15mins, then remove heat and wait 24hrs. Test, and any that are still stuck, then repeat the process. Keep the bucket of oil mix as you will use it again for oil quenching, freeing seized parts, etc. And a fire blanket as advisable too.

[@10swatkins]

Well... They soaked in PB Blaster for about 4 months then spent a lot of time in an ultrasonic cleaner with a high heat setting... Still would not work.... The bond was too strong and the heat and fluid did not help..... :(

[@craigywaigy4703]

@@10swatkins At least you got it sorted in the end - :) BTW Good work in saving older machinery that is perfectly adequate for jobbing work - a man after my own heart! I've around 25 different machine tools, in different states of disrepair that await my attention; Oh and a very patient wife!!!! Now subbed-Keep safe and well.

[@silverbullet7434]

Its free yea, shows also how well it was made. Grit n determination wins. I was holloring put some heat on it the grease would have melted in the stuck parts.

[@10swatkins]

I was avoiding the heat because the handles might be chromed... It is going to clean up really nice :)

[@MyLilMule]

Persistence is key! I assume the threaded piece has a hole drilled through the center (to avoid air pressure build up) - so did you consider placing a brass drift down the center of your fixture and tapping the handle off that way?

[@10swatkins]

Yes it is hollow... After the rust was broke loose I was able to put a rod in the center and tap it off the rest of the way on all the rest of them... I was afraid of the rod deforming the end of the outer piece so I took it easy..

[@williammccarthy5696]

Take a look at the grease gun you are using there is a selector lever on the top to select pressure or volume you have it on volume in the video.

[@10swatkins]

Well! You must be one of them there boys that read those sissy instructions! (OR just read the damn side of the gun : )) Thanks for the tip as I have never seen that! Well this is my only gun like this :)

[@williammccarthy5696]

@@10swatkins No I actually bought that type of gun because it could do that.

[@markfoster6110]

Good idea .

[@10swatkins]

Thank you

[@waynep343]

Counter bore your tool so you can use the collar to push up on the od as you turn it in. Or use flat washers and a nut.

[@10swatkins]

I think it is too thin for that... But I will try counterboring a recess for the o ring to compress on the small one I have to do.. Thanks for the idea.

[@markfoster6110]

Try putting some oil in the part before you screw it together . It seams in to the rust easier and saves on the grease ! Good job young fellow

[@10swatkins]

I thought of that.. All I could see happening was a BIG MESS!

[@ogaugeclockwork4407]

Got there in the end!👍

[@10swatkins]

Well that was not the end... There was 2 more hours of video :)

[@gadgetwob]

Seems like you could have done with some Dowty seals - at least for the first bit. Perseverance for the win!

[@johnb5519]

Like my old machinist and toolmaker neighbor used to say, " there's more than one way to skin a cat".

[@10swatkins]

My favorite saying :)

[@DannyOldroyd]

I'm restoring my 16" 1954 Axelson lathe. Do you know where i can purchase a traverse clutch belleville washer for it?

[@10swatkins]

Sorry no.... The place here in Houston went out of business and the guy that bought all the prints and parts has been flaky according to some reports I have had. I kick myself for not somehow acquiring the plans for safe keeping :(

[@charleswhite7176]

Make a wedge like u use to open up a chuck

[@akfarmboy49]

use hollow hydraulic cylinder or sleeve and 1-1/4 threaded rod with threads in one end 7/8-14 and 1-1/4 nut , sleeve could be 1-1/4 pipe.

[@10swatkins]

Dale... You're just trying to make me work hard :)

[@akfarmboy49]

@@10swatkins Just in case you have more of those handles to pull a part

[@jeffnevius]

I bought a big axelson If you know anyone who is looking for one let me know. It's missing the thread counter wheel to time it. Its probably 14 ft long over all.

[@10swatkins]

Will do.. what swing is it?

[@jeffnevius]

@@10swatkins 15" x 120 and I looked again the counter or timer is there. I bought 4 lathes only going to keep 1

[@dmadere1]

If at first you don’t succeed! Try Try again.

[@10swatkins]

And again and again and again... Something has got to work :)

[@paulkoomen5262]

Don't squeeze it in the vice

[@jdmccorful]

Where's Don when you need him!Thanks.

[@10swatkins]

Don has actually had to work at his real job :) But in my book that is no excuse!