Tips on refurbishing old/second hand power tools?
- Thread starter bobfog
- Start date
leakyroof
Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2011
- Messages
- 2,503
Don't use solvents unless you're sure it won't affect the material.
Take pictures and measurements as you disassemble a tool. Reassembling might have something fitting only one way as a principle , but a certain depth or twist of an adjustment means affecting performance of the tool if reassembly isn't done right.
Don't over lube, esp. where an assembly gets greased. There is usually air buffer room designed in since many sealed assemblies won't have a vent to atmosphere like a larger stationary machine would.
If a bearing needs to be pressed off or out of an assembly, you can often buy cheap hydraulic presses or mechanical arbor presses that are small and under 12ton capacity to be used with small shaft/bearings.
Take pictures and measurements as you disassemble a tool. Reassembling might have something fitting only one way as a principle , but a certain depth or twist of an adjustment means affecting performance of the tool if reassembly isn't done right.
Don't over lube, esp. where an assembly gets greased. There is usually air buffer room designed in since many sealed assemblies won't have a vent to atmosphere like a larger stationary machine would.
If a bearing needs to be pressed off or out of an assembly, you can often buy cheap hydraulic presses or mechanical arbor presses that are small and under 12ton capacity to be used with small shaft/bearings.
nclemmons
Member
I tend to start with an air compressor to blow things out, then perhaps toothpicks or Qtips or even glue brushes with WD40 or Boeshield lubricant to get into vents, screw holes, etc. I also use those on a rag and wipe things down. If I need more abrasion, I'll try a fine steel wool or a fine scotchbrite pad for stubborn marks. You might also try car wax or the plastic rejuvenation products and a rotex and buffing pad.
There is an amazing thread on Garage Journal of a guy that has fully restored a Craftsman workshop and vintage tools, that might also give you some tips! http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103099
There is an amazing thread on Garage Journal of a guy that has fully restored a Craftsman workshop and vintage tools, that might also give you some tips! http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103099
S
six-point socket
Guest
Be gentle. [big grin]
Study EKAT for spares and general assembly drawings ->http://ekat.festool.de/login/jsp/ma...-Kunde-FT_US&password=Customer&design=festool
When you disassemble a tool, keep an organizing tray at hand - so you can keep groups of parts together.
Double check screw sizes, especially their length. It hasn't happened to me yet with a power tool - but sometimes screws belonging to the same assembly group can have different lengths and/or diameters. I always check for that, and if it turns out to be that way, I use simple tape to fix the screw to the corresponding part/opening...
You can use cleaning and rejuvenation solvents typically used for car interiors - try to stay away from caustic & abrasive cleaning solvents.
Kind regards,
Oliver
Study EKAT for spares and general assembly drawings ->http://ekat.festool.de/login/jsp/ma...-Kunde-FT_US&password=Customer&design=festool
When you disassemble a tool, keep an organizing tray at hand - so you can keep groups of parts together.
Double check screw sizes, especially their length. It hasn't happened to me yet with a power tool - but sometimes screws belonging to the same assembly group can have different lengths and/or diameters. I always check for that, and if it turns out to be that way, I use simple tape to fix the screw to the corresponding part/opening...
You can use cleaning and rejuvenation solvents typically used for car interiors - try to stay away from caustic & abrasive cleaning solvents.
Kind regards,
Oliver
Kev
Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2011
- Messages
- 7,698
Are you trying to restore something unique to a pristine state or just trying to make something average useful again?
Making sure parts for repairs are available, having a supplier for bearings, fine tolerance measuring equipment, basic electrical knowledge and associated test and repair gear ... pullers, easy-outs, plastic welding setup for broken casings, etc. Power cords are almost always an issue with old power tools!
Please be very careful. If you're a novice refurbishing a power tool, a mistake could easily result in an unsafe tool ... electrocution or other injury.
A cleaning setup for parts, degreasing, etc may be useful, as well as the previously mentioned air tools. Auto polishes and various pads, used with something like a RO90, can restore ugly scratched casings surprisingly well.
Generally people that restore tools tend to specialise in particular brands/models that they know well and become efficient with - it could be an enpensive exercise and steep learning curve.
Making sure parts for repairs are available, having a supplier for bearings, fine tolerance measuring equipment, basic electrical knowledge and associated test and repair gear ... pullers, easy-outs, plastic welding setup for broken casings, etc. Power cords are almost always an issue with old power tools!
Please be very careful. If you're a novice refurbishing a power tool, a mistake could easily result in an unsafe tool ... electrocution or other injury.
A cleaning setup for parts, degreasing, etc may be useful, as well as the previously mentioned air tools. Auto polishes and various pads, used with something like a RO90, can restore ugly scratched casings surprisingly well.
Generally people that restore tools tend to specialise in particular brands/models that they know well and become efficient with - it could be an enpensive exercise and steep learning curve.
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