Antique Simplex Screw Jack Restoration

Paint the Letters? Y or N

[@Eagle48]

In my opinion, keeping the jack looking original is the way to go. You can go nuts on the next one. And I’m sure there’s going to be a next one!

[@metalwork.]

👍🇺🇲

[@RenewRestorations]

That jack turned out absolutely amazing!! I’ve been going down the rabbit hole of watching all of your restoration videos, top notch my friend!

[@steve.b.23]

You've unknowingly recreated a small part of my family history in this one... My great-grandfather's name was John. He was known as Jack. My grandfather's name was Jack. For many years they were known as Big Jack and Little Jack.

[@jimmyc7803]

once you’re down the rabbit hole on a project, hard to turn back. recently retired and I’ll tell my wife “ going down the basement for a few minutes “. she says “ I’ll see you next week “. she knows once I’m down there it’s like a black hole and 8 or 9 hours can pass in the blink of an eye. 73’s buddy.

[@wvrockcrusher]

Glad to see that worked for you Scout! I usually reserve the heat for the really badly rusted bigger jacks... and I mean really rusted. The jack looks outstanding, and I like that you refinished it to look the small Simplex. I'm on the fence about the letter coloring, but maybe black or gold would look good for color. I'm going to the flea market this weekend and maybe bring home some more jacks or whatever tools I think I don't need. 😁

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks again for your awesome suggestions and help on this project. Maybe one day post a video of your collection! I’m subscribed! 😃👍

[@wvrockcrusher]

Your welcome Scout. I've thought about doing some videos. I have plenty of stuff for content and I also run my own welding, machine, and repair shop full time. Time is what is in short supply for me because I mostly never get a day off. Thanks for the sub!😄@@ScoutCrafter

[@jill552]

You have such a good attitude, “That’s what we live for, little adventures.” Jack looks great! 🇺🇸

[@ScoutCrafter]

I had water during Hurricane Ida, I was so flustered. Now I’m at the point of not trying to fight Mother Nature anymore. Just clean up afterwards. 😂👍

[@michaelowens7151]

Green would look good for the letters, since walmart has declared it’s Christmas time already, and a pleasant contrast. Interesting info that the hammer blows to the screw shaft were the deciding factor in loosening the threads. Don’t want to take anything away from the magic of “50/50” which should be the gold medal winner of thread and pivot unlockers! Not sure what I would do with one of these jacks, but finding one and cleaning it up will be a learning experience. Thanks again.

[@toolscouter]

Fantastic restoration. turned out just great. Appreciate learning how to break those things loose. I’m hoping to find some and I know they’ll be cheaper if they’re froze up. thanks so much for sharing and have a great week.

[@John..18]

Where I used to work, we had lots of "Cable" Jacks , which had U section tops on, for holding drum bars, for different sized cable drums, they were usually sized according to the weight of drum they could support, ie, 3ton, 5-7ton 8ton, etc,, we had different types, some were steel, some cast iron, and some alloy,, the oxy-acetylene torch, was the "go to" method of freeing up the seized ones,, along with copious amounts of penetrative fluid,, Great result there John,, 👍👍

[@alanr4263]

Yes that rain was all Day not even a break. Great video M.t.A John

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Hi Scout, Lea and I are happy to see you survived the flooding. We were worried about you and your basement. The flooding didn’t even interfere with you posting. I love that miniature Simplex so I want to find one to add to my miniature collection. Cheers, Stuart and Lea 🇦🇺

[@ScoutCrafter]

Stuart- We have a few warm days now to dry out and evaporate! 😂👍

[@ozarkbonsai7838]

Wow this Jack turned out perfect. I love it original like the small one. You always do such a great job on anything you attempt

[@ToolsandTime]

Nice job Scoutcrafter! Very sorry to hear that the rain and floodwaters made it into your basement--what a pain. That look before the paint was smooth looking--and add some clearcoat, yeah that could have been the ticket. I see what you were thinking there. As it is, it came out gorgeous of course and you have its little brother now also which makes it even cooler.

[@michaellindsay8934]

It's amazing that we can find the beauty in a simple jack that thing really turned out great and 500 pounds on the little one is incredible thanks for taking us along

[@johnkelley9877]

I know what it is like to have your basement flooded as I went through this several years ago. The jack looks great! I cannot believe you were able to loosen it up. Thanks for sharing this .

[@ScoutCrafter]

It’s really bad for people with finished basements! 😃👍

[@marko11kram]

It sure is tempting to paint the lettering white, and maybe 2 white pinstripes about an inch from the top of the stand, but since you have the matching sample, I'd vote for identical paint schemes

[@billmcclure433]

So glad you didn't have extended damage from the rains. Kept you in my thoughts (prayers)over the weekend knowing you were in for heavy rains. I finished putting a roof on and addition 1 day before 3 days of heavy rains here in Northwest Oregon. No leaks! Door and windows next before the next rain The jack turned out fantastic, just a spitting image of the mini jack. Personally, if I were to display the jack I would like to see highlighted lettering in white or gold. I have used jacks like this as house jacks to level the structure to an old house that had settled over time.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Bill- It’s so hard to keep out rain and moisture. You of all people know that living there. Thanks! 😃👍

[@krishoogstraat6866]

The Jack is a masterpiece! Leave it. I think the letters colored looks nice. But when you put it side by side with the salesman sample. You gotta leave it . Masterpiece I tell Ya !!!!!!!

[@michaelfink1017]

You're amazing Scout! I have a three screw jacks around the cave - you're giving me ideas here 😂

[@michaeld9731]

Wow, what a beautiful restoration. So glad you were able to free the screw. While I usually like painting the letters a contrasting color, in this case my vote is to keep it original, matching the small "jack-in-the-box". Perhaps you could find another jack to resto-mod.

[@13thworker45]

I would do the letters to match the top. It’s yours, do it the way you want. You just restored it to make sure it’s around long after we are gone. It’s a great save and we learned another lesson. Thank You

[@paulsworkshop4179]

As soon as I saw it cleaned, I knew the instinct was to do Scoutcrafter red lettering. I have to say, in the original red like the mini jack is the way to go. The rain here was terrible, but you guys in the coast got it worse. Glad you didn’t float away!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Paul- It was literally coming up through the floor! 🫣😂👍

[@joeheilm]

That looks fantastic. My mother was an art teacher and she had great faith in the color wheel. With that being said, theoretically speaking the color wheel says blue/green would be a good color for the inlay. Of course white or black also work. I am still amazed that white is the presence of all color and black is the absence of all colors....it bogles my mind. Great stuff cheers.

[@kennetherikson1522]

John, The last time you got water in your basement I think you had restored tools in cardboard boxes that rusted up and had to be cleaned up all over again, please don't let that happen again! I think we all felt the pain almost as much as you! I liked the idea of the industrial unpainted look but after seeing the red, wow! I'd paint the letters, especially if the jack is going to be displayed. I have a 1-1/4 x 8 screw jack painted green w/ yellow on the numbers, nothing like your restoration. Now I'll need to go back and polish up the capstan and blue the head.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Ken- Funny you mentioned that- the water that got those tools was from a leaky pipe that drips one drop every 3 minutes. I have a bucket under it that I empty once every 6 months but somehow the box was put on the bucket!! 🫣😂👍

[@patjohnson3100]

Wow. Neither flood nor rusty stuck jack can keep Scoutcrafter from posting on time. Unbeatable channel. This is my favorite restoration, when you take a seemingly hopeless tool and bring it back. I vote to fill in the letters, but you should make it be what you want it to be.

[@carldelawter8900]

Leave it just like the sample model. Change the frozen small one. - Carl from Florida. Since you have that hot boiler in basement, the basement should dry out very quickly. Sorry you were affected, but it could been much worse. Depending on location. I recently picked up at a flea market; a rusty meat cleaver, a small draw knife, 3 ratchet wrenches, 2 cracked wooden planes with very good irons in them. I already have the small meat cleaver done & back in service. Taiwan steel. Rings when you rap it. Holds a fabulous edge on it. Cuts better than my antique carbon steel butcher knives. Wow. A dicing we will go, a dicing we will go, high-ho the merry-o, a dicing we will go! ❤😂

[@ScoutCrafter]

Cleavers are such a great utensil! 😃👍

[@carlgratzer959]

I was away all week so I'm watching Friday's episode today. All through the Klein restoration I'm looking at the cutting jaws and I hoped you wouldn't just cut a wire tie but I was happy to see that it cut romex. Thank you for your hard work. I love the Bell System stuff

[@ScoutCrafter]

Carl- Anytime you see a space between the cutters they are done. I have a buddy who is an electrician for the state and he tosses his Kleins every few months! It’s just charged to the job. He gave me 3 rusty pair. 😂👍

[@kadmaster]

Watch yourself,sir....Flood can be sneaky...Masterpiece of restoration again...Its just nice jack...

[@almacli8360]

Hey Johnny I’d keep it the way you have it now 👈🏼 I wouldn’t paint no letters / you did a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ great job 🔼🔼🔼🔼🔼 on that JACK brother seriously-and on top of that that mini jack in the box is Awesome 😎 I’ll text you what I got from the poor mans Flea Market last week just let me say “3 - 5 gallon buckets full of Vintage tools “and I know you love Switch’s when you see this one your gona love it as well as 4 Vintage pad-locks with the 🔑’s ‼️total weight of everything 128 lbs !

[@stanellis7805]

What maniac didn’t think that jack was going to end up Scoutcrafter red? 🤣 I would leave it as is, looks fantastic! Stay safe. 🇺🇸

[@ScoutCrafter]

Stan- I really was going to leave it bare until I got Lou’s gift! 😂👍

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Those are supper nice jacks. Well done on the restore. Thanks John.

[@jtkruk]

ALWAYS POSSITTIVE, THAT IS WHY I LIKE YOUR CHANNEL

[@davidparker3346]

It looked so great with the shellac on it, oh well. If you're going to paint the lettering black would make it pop, black and red always looks great. That tiny jack is cool.

[@chrisT5259]

Scout, I would go with the letters painted. Great job as always!

[@budmartin8297]

Congratulations on freeing the the stuck screw. That's a great feeling, isn't it. I'm working on a stuck screw in an old post vice. No luck so far, but I'm not giving up.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Bud- I’m still working on that small Jack now for over a year! 😂👍

[@scotthowell8083]

I would leave the jack as is. I love the matching Jack in the Box!

[@357magdad]

Outstanding restoration! I'm glad you got it un-stuck.

[@Cahoula]

I imagined it in that candy color red you used in the utility knife videos. It would have been an over the top pop and sparkle with the texture of the metal surface.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

The Simplex jack looks terrific. Glad you were able to get the screw to move. I love the Jack-in-the-box version. That would make a terrific machinist jack. I vote to paint the letters. Glad that the rain did not cause too much issue in the shop. That was an incredible downpour. Dave.

[@57WillysCJ]

I can see it being left solid because that's what I do, but white lettering would set it off nice. I tell a fan going on the floor does a lot for drying, but I put a dehumidifier in the basement with a drain hose right to the sump pump, what a difference.

[@bobhart1155]

Wow, Scout, another beautiful restoration in the books. I like that it matches the color scheme of its baby clone. I say keep it as is, and be creative with the next simplex screw jack you restore. Sorry to hear you guys to the east of us got hit hard with Friday's tropical storm, we lucked out here in the western part of central Jersey. These storms make me nervous as my shop, too, is in the basement and has the potential for water seepage with storms like that. But you got through it and didn't miss a beat in putting out today's episode. Thanks again for all you do here!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Lucky it’s fresh water! If it was sewer water- 🫣😂👍

[@Fearsome4some74]

Great channel and excellent job as usual! I like the OEM look as it is now 👍

[@bigvicsworkshop]

so glad you went with paint... i think the letters black would set it off, but id be ok with it left alone solid red as well...anything but bare metal.. i'm not a fan and how awesome is that little one.. man i;m not a jack guy but id like to find a few of those for the shelf... and i appreciate the info on "the beast" wire wheel... funny i just added 2 new 2"x8" fiber wheels to my 6" bench grinder 🙂which is mounted on that heavy delta cast base i have and boy that thing takes me for a walk around the shop when I use it... oh copper girl just laughs i believe...LOL... anyways, i have to push its bottom base against my bench and press with my foot... LOL... i think i may try to make me some wood bushin' on the lathe to hopefully help. good stuff Mr. John!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Vic- I’ve seen guys put sandbags on their lathe base to add rigidity. When these big things start to shake they really move! 😂😂👍

[@rollerbald]

I like the jack just the way it is now. The matching set is awesome!. I never really knew about corncob file handles until 357MagDad and you mentioned them. I learn something every day! Great restoration! Regards, Bill.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Bill you have to try a cob handle on a file, you’ll love it! 😃👍

[@rollerbald]

Got one coming up later this week on my channel!

[@RobertSiwik1968]

I love the work on the jack! Great suggestion on freeing it up. I think you should do the letters in black to compliment the top of the jack.

[@lazybastardgarage]

Well now I'm on the lookout for a miniature simplex jack, way cool.

[@ScoutCrafter]

They are very common but surprisingly expensive! Usual price is $25! Crazy right?!

[@stevestrohacker8436]

That jack is a beautiful copy of the sample. Personally, I'd have to fill the letters in black. The black on the red would really pop and tell you exactly what is going on.

[@martinringis7782]

Beautiful job on the SIMPLEX JACK. How you loosened up the JACK SCREW is something we used to do all the time. I think you should paint the letters to make it stand out more. On your other jack, maybe you can try ELECTROLYTIC RUST REMOVAL ???? just a suggestion. GREAT JOB !!!!!

[@robertlevine2152]

ScoutCrafter, As always you have created a masterpiece! I recommend that the lettering on each of the three pieces be highlighted in white. I would consider highlighting the black piece be highlighted in gold. I feel for you when it comes to water in your basement. The basement in our home hss recently flooded. We are refinishing our basement for the fourth time, one after buying the three times after water damage. We will be replacing the wood and drywall with Coosa Bluewater 20 and Bluewater 26 composite panels for the bottom 24" of the rooms. We will also be doing considerable upgrades to the outside of the basement and yard to reduce the risk of water reaching the wall. Bob

[@ScoutCrafter]

Bob- John Fix lost everything to a flood years ago! 🫣😃👍

[@terryrogers1025]

Nice job on saving the Jack, came out beautiful, I think you should keep the Jack as it is, original along with the small Jack makes a nice collection, any rate, my thoughts, do what you have to do young man.

[@joeynickdotnet]

It looks great the way you have it, little jack and big jack. Great work getting it freed up!

[@John-ij4fo]

Wow that came out amazing, I would keep it matching the little one. Great job

[@alexstools]

I like the resto mods, but seeing the small and big jack together exactly the same is so cool. Very hard decision. I think you've bought two so the other one can be over the top😅 Thanks buddy.

[@tonywatson987]

Tip: to clean out the internal threads, John, use the flexi-shaft attachment on the rotary tool, and you can get right inside. BTW, the threads aren't Acme, they appear to be square - Acme threads have a 29degree V angle. So glad you were able to get that unseized, well done!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Tony- I thought the same thing but upon close inspection I do see a taper from the face down to the root. Maybe a specialty thread? 🤔😃👍

[@rickcentore2801]

I would leave it as a twin to the the small one. Great Restoration!

[@toolscarriagesmodellbauand7246]

I like your restoration of this Jack.Its coming out great. Thanks so much.

[@JohnDaker_singer]

Beautiful restoration as always! Personally, I would paint in the letters black. That black on red look really makes a project like that stand out.

[@_BigLife_]

Nicely done as always. I think it looks great as is. No lettering needed

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Great that you got it free and restored!

[@stevenwitt4028]

Great video 👍 Fantastic restoration on that vintage Simplex screw jack 👍👍. I thought the bare metal look with the 2 coats of shellac was a great look especially if you were going to add the red lettering to it,the lettering would have pop on that jack. But after seeing the original color on the jack , I think that was a great choice to do , it turned out fantastic 👍👍👍. It looks like brand new. Those jacks on line go for $300-$760dollars 💵. I believe the 24 ton one that cost the most at $760 dollars 💸. I am digging the mini Simplex jack , that is so cool. I thought when I first seen it , that it was a novelty item, but when you showed the box and it said it was a real jack it reminded me of those real working mini Knipex cobra pliers. I wonder if it would do 500lbs?😂👍 Also that original box it came in with the graphics looks awesome. I think high lighting the lettering would look fantastic 👍, but I am kinda digging the original look you done. Did the electrical ⚡️panel the Electrical Co. Fixed stay dry with all that rain 🌧? Well again great video and can’t wait to see what you do on Wednesday. Have a great evening. 😃👍👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

Steven it amazes me that they still make these jacks today! 😃👍

[@mikebrunosgarage5338]

Glad to see your dried out,was wondering if you were going to be affected. The jack is wonderful,I'd leave it as it is. Thanks again,great episode

[@mikejones5358]

Looks awesome I have the same jack and now I want to paint it red mines got to be all cleaned up it’s all rusty but it is free

[@kathieharine5982]

The jack looks great.

[@billmccabe9601]

Good thing you had the service head fixed...no leaks through the electric pipes.

[@randymacsgarage]

Can you fill in the sizes lol great show thanks Scout.😊

[@beerdrinker6452]

You are an artist. Original. Let'm match. Save your white paint.

[@Chevyv8man1]

Hey John, I was looking forward to seeing this jack without paint, but.... I think you should paint the letters white to offset it. It doesn't look like it was made in the USA the way it is. lol It's cool that you got it unstuck and working. It can be a pain to try to free up stuck threads on these old tools. Later

[@brl3900]

Outstanding job on the jack, I think it looks perfect as you have it! Big brother to the miniature version!

[@johnmclaurin]

Leave it like it is, really enjoyed this one!

[@larrynelson734]

Hi John. Love what you did to that jack.i would leave it the way it is. That small one is really cool. Glad you didn't get to much flood water. That would have been really bad. Have a great day. 👍👍❤..

[@GuntersGarage]

That looks great! I love the mini and full size pair. Im a fan of screw and ratchet jacks. Simple yet very effective.

[@jackthompson2132]

I know a lot of people leave things original but sometimes I like doing things the way I like them. So I would have to say just do it the way you want it. If it were mine I would probably paint the lettering. It would really pop ! Who’s going to know away. Oh, and by the way awesome show today. Thank You for sharing!

[@danhorton6182]

Color the Simplex letters in white or black, would look amazing

[@christianzazzali2720]

Either way is great, original or a celebration show piece. Both would be appropriate

[@patrickomalley7460]

Great job .the Jack looks great 👍

[@Fred19Flintstone]

It's hard to argue with keeping it original. If it were mine, I might be tempted to paint the letters black to match the top.

[@tonylenge424]

I think you should do the letters in flat black. It would contrast nicely and compliment the top.

[@richardmartinez5941]

Nice job on the Jack John, I think it looks great the way it is, but I'm leaning towards painting the letters White

[@frankg3072]

Fantastic looks great. I think making the letters white would add a nice touch. So glad you got it unstuck.

[@lotsatrains]

Super cool restoration I would leave it the same as the small one 👍

[@lotsabirds]

Looks great just as it is!

[@805ROADKING]

Yeah Buddy!!☻

[@janderson8401]

While I like to see antiques as the would have been when relatively new, it’s your jack. If painting the letters makes you happy, and I think it would, go ahead.

[@user-xx2ze9mc2u]

Perfect! I wouldn't change a thing.

[@gimble1]

Looks awesome John... When you get a chance could you show how it's actually used. It seems like it would take a long time to lift anything up.

[@ScoutCrafter]

They were often used for applications that required a lot of strength but like you said they were slow. Often these jacks were used to elevate houses! 😃👍

[@patrickduley405]

Glad your ok. Was wondering how you came through glad to see your ok.

[@ryannash9582]

Great video, ScoutCrafter! 👍🏻 The Simplex jack turned out fantastic. I think you should def paint the lettering white so it’s easier to read against the red paint. Make it a “red, white and ‘blued’” jack! 🇺🇸

[@michelecrown2426]

That jack is a thing of beauty. And I love salesman samples. That is so nice you have the box with it too. It looks like someone tried to balance that wire wheel but didn't know what they were doing. You can tell by the little drill divots on one side. I bet if you took it off and just held it on a rod you could find the heavy side and either add to the other side or take away from that side. I think that would make for a good segment to your videos.

[@ScoutCrafter]

I should make a balancing jig! Always wanted one! 😃👍

[@davidlane9379]

I'm a big fan of actual restorations. Leave that one as-is, save the lettering for the next one! Love your channel!!!

[@larryborkstrom3580]

That's a cool little jack and it's big brother came out great as well

[@WeekendShedHead]

Fantastic John, great job 👏 love the red 👌.. a real shelf queen! and a handy tip.. rapping it with hammer 🔨 I’d go with white letters 😉 All the best , cheers Rob

[@gerard_3864]

What a roller coaster of emotions watching this video, i wish you had just left it bear metal but since it's painted I'd say white letters.

[@ScoutCrafter]

That mini-Jack in a box was very persuasive! 😂👍

[@brianlittle3452]

The large and small jacks are now a set like Laurel and Hardy - leave it alone as it is. Maybe do a set of rods - could make them blue to match the top swivel. Rapping The Jack: I wonder if a pneumatic air hammer, like the mechanics use, would be useful in loosening a frozen jack? Would need an air compressor to drive the hammer. Eric O. from South Main Auto removes a lot of rusted parts using an air hammer. Rust-oleum Farm And Implement Paint: “The Joy Of Fixing” has a KZbin video entitled: “WE PAINTED OUR CAR WITH TRACTOR PAINT! How to roller paint Rustoleum Tractor Paint - Short Version”. This paint might be useful for many projects.

[@ScoutCrafter]

I think a Pneumatic hammer is a FANTASTIC idea!!! I bet it works!!! 😃👍

[@timeflysintheshop]

I think you should add white to the letters on the big one AND the small one! That way they still match! 😁😁😁

[@guataco]

Is beautiful as it is.

[@charliekingpin8568]

I think I'd leave t as original, it looks great and now you got a little one it's a pair

[@aaronmeredith5453]

I think it looks great just like it is.

[@barryfarnsworth3360]

I think it would look nice with the letters painted in.

[@loulunetta425]

Leave it stock. A perfect restoration.

[@musicfind4020]

Great job, leave it as is no white lettering it’s Perfect

[@jackof1]

Lowell/Everett here, Lou!👍🏼