Some of these parts get replaced, but the bulk of them just get stripped and refinished in some way. This is what a Kelsey would look like if you put in a suitcase and had it Xrayed at the airport.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Visible Kelsey
Some of these parts get replaced, but the bulk of them just get stripped and refinished in some way. This is what a Kelsey would look like if you put in a suitcase and had it Xrayed at the airport.
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Andy,
ReplyDeleteI'm in the process of disassembling a Kelsey Model O 3 x 5 and I've run into some problems. The pins holding the press together do not have retaining rings, rather they seem to have been peened to hold them in place. Do you have any experience disassembling the model O or peened pins? Also, on the other Kelsey restoration you mentioned that you made replacement roller hooks, did you thread and bend a steel rod from scratch? If you would be up for answering some questions, the best way to contact me is at dlbracey@gmail.com
Best,
Dan
I have seen pins that have been pounded to have a mushroomed out end, if that's what you mean by peened.
ReplyDeleteFor ones that are too far flattened, I have ground them down with a die grinder or something, just to get it flat again. That should let the pin get through with a hammer and punch. I then replace the pins, so I can put a nice end on them, then use a retaining clip so someone won't have the same trouble you're having if they should want to tear it apart again.
You can see the kind of clips I use here.. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/11023/Press/DSC_7290.JPG
Available in any decently stocked hardware store.
Oh no...I just clean up the roller hooks. Usual thing... let them sit in 'Evapo-Rust' for a while, then sand them with finer and finer grits until their real smooth and shiny and will slide easily when reinstalled. They generally need some straightening too...a little pound and tweak and whatnot. Hope that helps
Hey Andy,
ReplyDeleteI too am restoring my 3x5 kelsey. Out of sheer excitement I quickly tore it down and now starting to clean it. While doing some research on the internet, a lot of people recommended not taking out the pins that hold the press together. For the fear of it not going back together as well as before. I was hoping that you could bust or confirm this myth. I have so much anxiety that my press won't work properly.
Also what did you replace these pins with? Was it 1/4inch steel rod or something else you might recommend
-Will
Hi Will-
ReplyDeleteThat has not been my experience at all... I always take the pins out and replace them and the presses seem happier for it. Generally the pins are messed up and painted or a host of other issues. Definitely read the comment above, because if they are too smashed up, you want to grind them down a bit so that you're not messing up the original holes too much. But it does sound like you've already torn down anyway.
With the pins out you can dremel out any grime, rust, and or paint that's been in there for years, and only have a nice new pin in there lubricated with a nice modern lube only touching raw metal. I think it's a great improvement.
And you're exactly right, I replace them with 1/4 stainless. The place I get them (Alro) even cuts them for me on a big band saw while I wait. I've switched to retaining rings and machining in small grooves, but my local hardware store sold the kind of clips that will hold a pin like that. That worked fine as well. They can pop off, that's why I switched.
Hope that helps.