After all those years there's no arc of shame! Grandpa took care of his machines it seems. Very nice.
Since it's in such nice shape, would you consider not painting it and leaving it "stock"? It looks so
good just as it is.
I was thinking the same thing leave it as is, including the stand.
You have a very good point... I will follow your advice and leave most of it alone...
The more I look at it and the more I clean it... this machine was still covered in the wax based goo (or cosmoline) that it came with new (or the stuff you spray on to protect them)...
I will, however, polish the stuff that has surface rust... handles, center tube/post, feed wheel levers...Why? Because I was stupid enough to start doing that... Now, (too late for those parts) reading your feedback, I should have left that alone as well... now I have to finish it so it looks pristine and it develops its own patina under my care...
Take a look at the depth gauge... I took it out, dropped it in a bowl with a mild degreaser... I can now see the numbers again. And look at the feed lever and shaft... used steel wool on those... the feed lever rods do need a lot more work because of how pitted most of those are...
And the table I just cleaned with a blade, then fine steel wool and WD-40... I will use a file to correct/clean some of the slots... but that is it...
Here is a look at both surfaces done, table and base...
I ordered a new belt, a new start capacitor... will finish with the light cleaning and call it done.
And agree as well on the stand. I will fix it by adding the missing 1x4 in the front and also call it done.
I am pretty sure Grandpa would be proud.
Very appreciative of the feedback... left alone, I do get carried away...
