The VS presses are so versatile and the 15" is right in the sweet spot - not too big or small. Nice choice!
I'm an OWWMer (now vintagemachinery.org) with a couple old machines. A tip I've used with success on simple cleaning of painted surfaces and badges is 'Scrubbing Bubbles' bathroom cleaner. If the original paint is still good it will clean but keep it intact. I get it at Costco in multi-packs. Simple green is another go-to cleaner. If a badge is painted over or in otherwise rough shape dabbing with Acetone will work. Vintage Delta tags were silk screened onto metal, not painted. You may see minimal color on the rag but back off as needed. Lots of methods on rust removal. I'd try straight scotch brite first. Haven't tried WD-40 but some liquids will darken the metal which isn't always a good thing (naval jelly). I've had some success with vinegar and salt, #0000 steel wool, Klingspor's rust erasers, soda blasting, and Evaporust. Want super shiny for tool p0rn photos? Acetone and 4-0 steel wool. Most everything in my shop these days is run through an electrolysis tank (55 gallon plastic barrel, kiddy pool for the big items). Not fast but simple and it works 100% of the time. Rustoleum's rust converting primer is very useful for restorations - especially the underside of the dp base. Any good metal enamel will work for the color coat. I get mine mixed at a favorite regional paint supplier. Some folks like to use the big name brands available through farm and fleet stores. Tractor paint is popular in some parts. There are formulas floating around for 'stock' Delta colors <http://wiki.owwm.com/PaintColorsDelta.ashx> but I think the current crop of guys restoring the old machines are more concerned with color matching than Delta ever was. The shades of gray varied over the years. Pick a color you like and have at it. Also, I really like the nozzles on Ace branded 'Premium" rattle cans. Their gloss black is my preference for the bell ends on vintage Delta motors, mag starters and switch boxes. Pulling out the gun for those little pieces and the clean-up after gets old in a hurry. There are spendy products packaged to keep your metal tops rust free (Boeshield, etc.) but any silicone-free wax will work. Bottom line is there are lots of ways to do it. None are more right than the others. I enjoy the process and results. Nice to know the machine is good for another 50+ years when I am finished. Link to Delta dps sorted by size: http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1141&tab=4&sort=3&th=false&fl=Drill%20Press Have fun, Dave On Aug 23, 2011, at 4:25 AM, John Reames wrote: > I figure that I'm not the only one here who prefers older tools, and will > take the time to spruce them up. > > If that's the case, I'm wondering if anyone could give a few pointers on > cleaning them up. (Not necessarily Concours grade cleanup) > > I'm picking up an older (american made) Rockwell/delta drill press (15" VS, > peace logo on blue background era) which is in pretty decent shape > mechanically, but it has accumulated surface rust and schmutz on the > non-moving machined surfaces (the column and the machined top surface of the > base) > > Any suggestions on how to remove this? > I was thinking of lightly using a scotch-brite wheel and some WD40, following > the direction of machining with the rotation of the wheel. > > Eventually, I'd like to disassemble it and repaint it. Any suggestions on > decent enamels? (I don't need exact color matches, although finding "stock" > colors that are close would be nice!) > > Once it's all cleaned up, what's a good way to ensure that t stays rust-free? > I'd think that a light coating of butchers or johnson's would work better > than oil, since oil will get gummy, etc. > > -- > John W Reames > jream...@verizon.net > Home: +14106646986 > Mobile: +14437915905 > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
