Saving tools

[Whatfelloff]

0k I have recently been givin a dayton sander/grinder and a makita table saw.I was told the dayton didnt work but as I looked at it I found there to be a burnt wire in the switch,rewired the whole unit and it runs like a champ. The table saw on the other hand works great but the matal table is pitted and rough making less than a easy gliding saw. Any ideas what I should do about this.  Thanks, Wesley

 

[Larwyn]

I have had good results using a fine (maroon) scotch brite pad on a random orbit sander to remove the rust. It is not necessary to remove all the discolored metal or to try and remove the pits. With rust removed you can apply a bit of paste wax and give it a try. It has worked for me. The same goes for an aluminum top, only you have to be a lot more careful with the scotch brite pad or your table might "come un-flat"....LOL

When I lived in the Houston area I had lots of problems with rust on cast iron table tops, this is what worked for me.

[Art S. Hamilton]

Hi, Wesley.

Living a thousand feet from the ocean in a high wind-shear area, even tools kept in our house can rust, this in spite of the
use of disciplined preventive measures. I had a Makita bench saw, it was aluminum, and oxidation was always lurking. If
the surface is wretched, I agree that resurrection will be of limited appeal; since it will forever be ugly. But, if you have
decided that it's going to have to do for now, there are a number of autobody fillers that you could apply, then sand down
with a motorized abrasive. Feather Fill is one such product, and I'm sure there are others. You will have to treat the full
surface with a cleaner, my suggestion would be acetone. Following the cleaner, and a complete flush, filling the pits with
a spray-type body filler would require a full sanding after curing, using a flat sanding block on the heels of the random
orbit. The acetone is not a gentle product, and in addtion to your skin and eye safety, don't breathe it. You will be
well advised to sheld all plastic and electrical components prior to starting. If this sounds like a project to avoid, I'm
completely in agreement.

But, do you want to do this? My Makita was plagued from day one with blade vibration and a really lousy fence design.
it was never going to be a good tool. It was light and portable, two of the features I've come to despise in any power tool.
I don't know your circumstances, but it would seem more satisfying to buy even a used saw that checks out OK and is in
reasonable shape. Lots of people buy project tools, then sell them when the job is over. Many others sell their family
homes towards retirement, and lose the space they once had for crafts and hobbies. Craigslist is one good option. I
have taken on several salvage efforts on abused tools, and have achieved great results, but it is a labour of love to say
the least.

There is a vast difference between me restoring a Rockwell/Delta 8 1/2" long-bed jointer, and restoring an aluminum
topped El Cheapo saw. One will always be a classic, the other will never be lovable.

Good Luck with your decision.

Regards,
Art

[Whatfelloff]

I have to agree my makita is to light and also has a less than sturdy fence. I do love to work on tools to and I am still not sure what I will do with this table saw. I have on the other hand started a new rebuild,I had a 10" craftsman electronic radial arm saw that mitters. The table was shot so I started looking to see if anyone had rebuilt one to an idea of how I might like to redo mine.The saw was givin to my Father when I was a teen and never used much. To my surprise when I started looking for how to rebuild it found there was a recall. I called the number on the recall and three weeks later I am sitting here with a box with a new upper and lower blade gaurd and table top that cost me nothing.I was shocked to get this for such a old saw but it doesn't end their I was also looking into rebuilding my fathers air compressor. It is a 20 gallon rand 4000 and first thing that pops up on the search was a recall for tank failure you can get 100 dollars cash or 200 dollars toward a 4 gallon twin tank rand. I am unsure what to do because as I said this was my Fathers we used it buildin the house he and my mom lived in and for workin on our trucks and tractors. But as life is unfair he passed 1 year ago in december from cancer at age 54 never having spent one day in the hospital in his life.So as I have many tools of my own that I dont have any attachment to other than my own money I have many of his that of far greater value than any tool or any money cold ever replace so I am really unsure what to do with this air compressor.
Thanks and sorry for the sappy back story Wesley

[Art S. Hamilton]

Hi, Wesley.

I have to thank you for having the kind of respect you do for your father. Heritage is kind of a personal choice.
My dad died a while ago, and my brother and sister and I were faced with a similar situation. What made his
passing quite bearable is that sitting in his underwear on a sheepskin throw, in his Lazyboy, with the remote
control in his hand for his new widescreen TV, he simply went to sleep and that was that. Not a bad way to
go, except he was alone at the time.

Anyway, during the division of his assets, I ended up with several items that needed a facelift and some serious
elbow grease. One item, a bench plane, had been stored in a box for thirty years in an unheated shop; but I
knew he had had it since about 1947. It was a rusted clump of shrapnel. About two hours to coax apart, then
glass beading, priming and painting, flattening the sole, restoring the pitted iron, etc. It ended up quite a nice
piece at the end, and I almost chose to put in on a shelf. However, I have used it now on several projects, I
think of him while the shavings spill off the boards, and whistfully imagine he would be proud of my caring that
his past was preserved.

But on to your Ingersol-Rand compressor. I would ask you to use your ability and desire to work on tools, and
remove and destroy the tank that was connected to a safety recall. Reservoirs are available from a host of
sources, including truck manufacturers and industrial supply houses. Rework the machine with a safe end
result, then baby it with clean compressor oil, new belt(s), a fresh but heavy duty cord, and use it with the
same connection to the past that you already enjoy. The couple hundred bucks towards a new unit won"t be
worth much compared to your memories.

This Kreg site has involved me in an interesting window into the thoughts and ideas of similarily motivated
people, and although I already use my pocket hole equipment routinely and try to introduce it to others who
might otherwise not feel able to tackle woodworking, I more especially enjoy this meeting of the minds in this
'community'.

Your story was not sappy. It reflected honor to someone you cared about. World needs a lot more of that.

Regards,
Art