Category: Neat Stuff

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Cleanup Starts on Monarch CK Lathe

Doing a bit of a cleanup on the CK. I am trying to avoid a teardown and rebuild but will know more as I get into the cleanup. For now, so far, all looks good and not planning on any major teardown.

  • Thought she was Green!
  • Before on the top and righ
  • Close up clean on left
  • Headstock/Levers Done
  • Chuck Off – Headstock Clean
  • Let’s look behind door # 1!
  • Chips impacted under headstock – they just keep coming out!
  • Changing/Cleaning Belt Area Up Next
  • End Gear Train Up Next Too
  • Clutch working good, not going to mess with at this point

Turns out I need to pull off the clutch and sheave to get the belt guard off for better cleanup – I am going to pass on the procedure for now and work around it. End gear train most troublesome to clean/get at but will be tackled soon.

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Monarch CK Chuck Removal

The CK has a D1-6 spindle configuration. Came with, at first glance, a decent Cushman 3 Jaw Chuck. Still need to take a closer look at the chuck and maybe teardown and rebuild.

  • Naked
  • Chuck off resting in cradle
  • Cushman 3 Jaw

Needed a cheater bar, small 1″ black pipe, to slide over chuck key handles more for grip than for leverage. The cam locks were stiff but not stuck. Chuck came off with little fuss.

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Monarch CK – Gotcha Day

A week has past since we confirmed the purchase of the lathe. Have not slept much since. Dreaming of all the ways this could go wrong. Actually went pretty smooth. Forklift on sellers end made quick work of getting it on my buddies trailer. Said “buddy” is partially to blame for making this happen;). Extremely grateful to Brian for generous resource and time!

  • Forklift at seller’s end
  • On trailer in shop

Sitting on pallets on the car carrier trailer. I have pallet jack so my initial thought were to muscle it off with that and some other implements but then the reality of 3600lbs came into play.

During the week I set plan B into action. Built a skid under the lathe as I removed the pallets. Lots of blocks, 4x4s, prybars and a Johnson bar and I managed to get the skid installed for what proved to be a uneventful slide off the trailer.

  • Headstock End Pallet Removed
  • Temp Half Skid
  • Temp Half Skid Another View
  • Tailstock End Pallet Removed
  • Full Skid in Place – End of Trailer
  • On Shop Floor

Further inspection, clean-up and wiring coming soon.

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Cabinet Fever Expo

Could not help myself when this shop made cabinet came up for bid at the 2020 Cabin Fever Expo. Got lucky and fit under a machine base that had a makeshift set of storage that I never was that thrilled with. Almost the same color green and fit like a not so good fitting glove but way better than before.

  • Drawers as found at auction
  • Makeshift storage
  • Fits good enough
  • Time to fill them up

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First Tool Roll (prototype)

How does this become a thing? Well, first you start with a buddy giving you a call one day asking if you want an old industrial sewing machine. You say no, he says too late it is in the back of my truck heading to your shop. Truth be told, I kinda did want a industrial sewing machine but just was not quite “mentally prepared” to deal with it at the time.

  • Singer 241-11
    Singer 241-11 laying in the van after delivery from Tom.
  • Singer Table
    Singer Table
  • Singer 241-11 first test
    Singer 241-11 first test
  • Singer Bobbins
    Singer Bobbins
  • Singer 241-11
    Singer 241-11 in place in its new home in my shop
  • Boring Bar Tool Roll
    Boring Bar Tool Roll
  • Boring Bar Tool Roll
    Boring Bar Tool Roll

Up next: more tool rolls, canvas bags and who knows what else!

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Simpson 260 Series 7M Multi Meter

Could not help myself at Cabin Fever Expo. Took a bet on a $10 Simpson 260 Series 7M. Same multi meter we used in high school. Typically these fail because of leaking batteries – hence the bet. Yeah, I know, I could have opened it up as you should when you look at any of these but where is the thrill in that.

I call the bet a break even. Indeed battery leakage had destroyed the clips for both D-Cell and 9 Volt. With a little bit of cleanup and replacement of both the D-Cell and 9v Battery holder she is working like a charm.

  • Dirty Simpson 260
    Dirty Simpson 260
  • Clean Simpson 260
    Clean Simpson 260
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Stump Anvil – Sawyer Type?

Great early Stump Anvil.  Came out of a logging camp in Maine.  Basically a portable anvil, shop made, that was used on logging sites.  Fell a tree, hollow the stump to accept the hardy-esque end and use in on site until you move on.

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American Beauty 3125 Soldering Iron

Found this soldering iron while organizing the shop.  Not sure where/when I got it.  Must have been an auction box lot.  Looked it up and found American Beauty is still going strong.  Was able to pickup some replacement tips and set screws (yes, could have got those anywhere but was too easy not to order them with the tips).

It heats up great and really gets the job done.  Posted a few pics of some initial tinning.  Certainly an industrial / production type iron, no bells and whistles, not even a switch.  Going to try tinning some thin cable (bicycle – brake and shift).

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Baldor 1/3 hp Bench Grinder Cleanup

The recent Foley Belt Sander/Grinder went so well I could not help myself.  Eyed this one from the roadside at local residence close to home.  Been exposed to the weather for almost too long.  Plugged her in and she fired right up and in classic Baldor form took 10 minutes to stop spinning after turning off.  Was not going to re-paint but now I am in deep so what the heck.  Came apart relatively easily (nice to work on quality products).  Missing side covers – may have to make some or deal without.