Pedestal Grinder

[Dieselman 63]

It would appear I cannot be trusted on Facebook marketplace, as I have bought another pedestal grinder.

The people I got it off questioned how I’d get it out of my car on my own, when it had taken all three of us to get it in. Why, with my crane and various bits of wood!

It’s a brand I’ve not heard of before - NI, made in England.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I decided to remove any large patches of loose paint and rust, and sand down the machine so as to give a good ground for paint. However when large patches of filler were coming away, I changed tactic and decided that If I could remove all of the filler and get back to bare metal, I could begin to etch prime and reapply filler at the same time as my Harrison grinder.

I used a Warrington hammer for most of this, and a nice Ward chisel I keep for these jobs. Then I wire brushed the casting, and degreased it (there was a lot of grease!) Once the primer started to go on, I felt as though I could see the light!

 

[Dieselman 63]

This got me to here, one fully tidied frame, primed, and one casting with filler partially applied.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I was going to start filling, but then I remembered the cast iron lid which goes on top. The guys I got it off really didn’t seem to have much of a clue (about anything tbh) and this poor machine had sat outside for two years whilst they decided whether to convert it to single phase or sell. The weather hadn’t been kind and the screws seemed more like rivets, however with some careful picking and a few decent blows with the impact screwdriver, I managed to get them out.

The rust came off in big sheets on this, and parts were quite pitted. Nevertheless, it has bounced back and once the screws had been given some attention with the file, everything was looking much better.

 

[Dieselman 63]

With the primer dry, I managed to get a coat of paint onto the lid. I do like trays with a rim on them, the Bantam headstock has one and it’s ideal for resting things down.

 

[Dieselman 63]

The previous owners had decided to remove the rear panel for reasons unknown and lost the screws, which was annoying, but new are probably nicer anyway. 3/16bsw machine screws, and aren’t they nice... maybe I’m just sad!

The old sheet metal was really knackered, would need lots of scraping and wire brushing, filler etc. I decided to just buy new metal, and it was only $40 for the front and back together. It’ll need some tweaking and some holesaw action around the motor tensioner bolts.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I’m going to try and use this switch body again, with some new switches. I’ve drilled out the old ones and filed out the holes to full diameter, and now it’s happily resprayed in hammer finish silver. It was a toss up between that or gloss black, hammer finish always looks good on electrical equipment I feel.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I had to file a few holes to fit, must now move onto the front piece. The machine is looking good so far with absolutely minimal spend and not too much effort. I’m off to find switches today after work.

 

[Domdom]

That’s superb. I’ve been after a pedestal grinder for ages, but has to be single phase.

love it

 

[Barking Mat]

Nice work.

 

[Dieselman 63]

That’s superb. I’ve been after a pedestal grinder for ages, but has to be single phase.

love it

Thanks! I got the other one three years ago now, how time flies! You can read the thread here

I like to find my machines cheap which means they’ll likely be absolutely trashed. Refurbishment is fun though if you’re a saddo like me

 

[Dieselman 63]

I drilled the front panel and cleaned the screws, they weren’t too bad and have come up well. The motor switch I had to file down the original button enclosures as I could only get 22mm push buttons, however I’m really pleased with the look as they’re also silver and they’re industry grade electronics. I settled for red and green as per the original.

The threads for the tool rests are UNC, the threads for the electrical box are BA, the threads for the front panel are BSW. On the same machine... welcome to British machinery

 

[Seadog]

I find it hard to believe that you have UNC on that machine, Chad.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I find it hard to believe that you have UNC on that machine, Chad.

I found it odd too when none of the whitworth sockets would fit the bolts. Switched to 9/16AF and they fitted like a glove. The power hacksaw was UNC, too.

 

[Seadog]

I wonder if that's because someone at some stage has replaced some of the bolts with what was to hand?

 

[Dieselman 63]

Filler is going on and coming off. It’s my least favourite job, but thankfully this casting is more sheet metal than steel, so there’s not too much to do.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I’ve also started painting the plaque.

 

[Dieselman 63]

That’s all for today. Tool rest is in paint, looks great I reckon. The work is a bit slower moving now, and it’s back to work tomorrow so I need to get some kip!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I’ve also started painting the plaque.

To be reattached with brass or copper rivets?

 

[Dieselman 63]

To be reattached with brass or copper rivets?

Steel bolts, through the sheet metal