Alexander Deckel SO Clone

[Susquatch]

As many will know, I finally bought a tool grinder. This thread will document getting it working.

https://canadianhobbymetalworkers.com/threads/alexander-tool-grinder-deckel-so-clone.16289/

The cabinet is mostly crap. I suppose it's possible to fix it, but that won't happen for quite some time - if ever.

The cabinet was filled with 3 bags of crushed glass. Probably a vibration damper.

I managed to get the grinder into my shop alone by removing it from the stand. It was only held on with two 3/16 Machine screws.

It came with NOTHING - not even one lonely collet. I asked if they were hiding someplace, and the guys who were helping me said they disappeared ages ago. I believe that cuz it's quite badly rusted. I doubt it's been used in 20 years. Not all the adjustments seem to work, and some might even be broken. I won't really know till I can study it. It's also got about 5000 coats of paint on everything.

Note - the big doors at the college were wide open with fans blowing air out. That means the humidity in there was BAAAD.

Here are some initial photos:

As advertized:



I removed the motor and drive belt to lighten the load a bit. The motor runs fine as is - very fast at 3450rpm, but quite smooth and low vibration.

I lied, it did come with one badly worn wheel. I removed the shield to take a look at the stone. I think the little arm is a diamond wheel dresser. The shaft on the right is the motor mount.



Here is the wheel and a bunch of rusty shafts. You can see that the collet holder is rusty too.



I couldn't fully articulate the parts. They might be frozen or I might have missed a lock.



I do not know if this is broken or just something amiss.





Gotta love that awesome paint job!

 

[Martin w]

Don't forget i have this here for you. Your grinder will fit on one end.

 

[gerritv]

IMO it's still a bargain.
I'll send you a link to zip file of manuals, parts breakdowns etc.
AFAIK all fasteners are imperial eventhough Alexander reportedly made them under license from Deckel.

The only official handle missing is the one replaced by a SHCS. That locks the main rod from turning and moving in/out along Z.

I would soak everything in WD40 overnight, then dismantle and dump into your favourite rust remover. No wire wheels please!

 

[jorogi]

Even more of a bargain, you get a project too.

PS. My offer still stands, 265.

 

[Susquatch]

Even more of a bargain, you get a project too.

Ain't that the truth!

PS. My offer still stands, 265.

It wasn't really 265, it was also auction fees and tax for a total of 311.43. It all adds up!

 

[OliverTO]

Woods Creek Workshop on Youtube did a good series on restoring a Deckel SO, not the same machine but very similar. Blondihacks also did a series on a Kuhlmann, again not same but similar. When I did mine both were very helpful.

 

[gerritv]

The Deckel S0 is exactly the same unit as the Alexander except it was metric vs imperial hardware. I didn't like some of his approaches to getting it apart but the overall process and result were repsectful to the quality of the machine.

6 parts. @Susquatch These are worth your while watching.

 

[Susquatch]

The Deckel S0 is exactly the same unit as the Alexander except it was metric vs imperial hardware.

That's funny. I just assumed the Alexander would be metric. I became more and more flummoxed as each fastener I touched turned out to be Imperial.

I'll try and watch them tomorrow. Everything is drenched in wd40 for tonight. Doesn't seem to be touching whatever paint they used. It's horrid. They painted slides, dovetails, handles, everything. Sheesh.

 

[Susquatch]

WD40 made zero difference last night. Tonight I will try something a bit more aggressive on the old paint that covers this thing inside and out.

I watched a number of the videos that others have suggested. Extremely painful for me.

I successfully removed the main collet holder assembly.



I feel pretty confident that it's many subcomponents will yield to paint remover and my stubbornness.

The shaft threaded washer was a bit of an issue though.



Even after removing the nut, that threaded washer (lock collar?) didn't want to turn easily. I had the impression that it is a friction fit component. I'll try paint remover on it first and then study other info before I try tapping it.

I have taken the hippocratic oath on this project - and I'll "do no harm". Yes, I know that's not an exact quote, but it is the plan.

The remainder is an issue. It is frozen to the shaft. I'm thinking I'll have to make some tools..... The true joy of my life!

 

[Susquatch]

I successfully removed the tightening bolt from the lower shaft clamp today. What a chore. Took me all day. With a clue from @Martin w's video, it turns out they painted over a set screw that holds the main screw in place. Even after scraping away the paint, the set screw didn't want to move. Although it takes a 1/16 allen wrench, the key slips. No metric or imperial key fits it as is. On a hunch, I ground down a 5/64 key to a scooch over 1/16 (probably 7/128) which held. I don't know if the set screw or my wrenches are out of spec. But given I prolly tried 8 different 1/16 wrenches, it's most likely an out of spec set screw. So I'll replace that with a proper set screw when I reassemble it. The screw also had to be worked back and forth like you would use a tap to keep it going 1/4 turn at a time. Even so, it complained the whole way squeeking slowly along. Once out, the clamp screw was easily removed along with two of the crappiest looking washers anyone could imagine. The screw needs some serious cleanup and some thread chasing. I might have to make a new one

With the tiny bottom lever removed, I should have been able to unscrew the lever for the second adjustment body above it. But that was not happening. The upper lever won't clear the body of the grinder so it can't be turned. The problem is that the lower adjustment body won't turn on the shaft even though the clamp is removed. I examined it every which way of Sunday with no reward.

At this point I was beginning to get quite frustrated so I put it all aside for tomorrow and drafted this note instead.