Cleaning Dials

[Downwindtracker2]

I have a Rockwell (Delta) Toolmaker surface grinder. It's one of the second generation #24-150, a newer one even, a 1968. I bought it at our mill's closing down auction in 2014, so I'm second owner. I'm setting it up. It needs a new shaft and a bushing, nothing major, but I would like to be able to read the dials clearly .What is the best method ? It would make it easier to use it as a surface grinder.

 

[whydontu]

Pictures? How big are the dials?

 

[Downwindtracker2]

The first models deserves their pictures taken .Look them up,they are neat. This one is ho-hum, squarish modern. It's been painted a nice shade of blue . but this is machining forum not an interior decorating one.The Z axis is 3" with 1/2 thou markings, the Y axis is 4" and one thou markings

 

[David]

Pictures of the dials are what we need

 

[Downwindtracker2]

I don't know how to post photos, and the time learning is time taken away from learning important stuff, like electronics and machining.

 

[David]

Hard to offer any meaningful advice without seeing what you’re dealing with.
Adding a photo is not difficult.
Click the attach file button and pick the photo you want to attach.

 

[whydontu]

Assuming you have one of these:

Remove the handles, unclip the dials, and put them in one of these:

Fill the U/S cleaner with hot soapy water, run it for 30 minutes at 50*c. That gets rid of the grease and crud. Next step - find a glass jar that will hold the dials. Put the dials in the glass jar, fill the glass jar with enough acetone to cover the dials. Put the glass jar in the U/S cleaner, fill the cleaner with enough hot water to get the water level above the acetone level in the jar. 30 minutes at 50*c. With any luck, you now have sparkling clean dials with no paint in the engraved markings. A bottle of black acrylic paint or nail polish restores the markings to like-new.

 

[ChazzC]

I don't know how to post photos, and the time learning is time taken away from learning important stuff, like electronics and machining.

@Susquatch : do we need to make a how-to video about posting images/videos and uploading files?

 

[Downwindtracker2]

It's from the phone to the computer where the difficulty lies.

Yes, mine is a little newer,, I can tell from the front hand wheels, but the same second generation model. I have an Eclipse mag chuck instead. And the dials are about in the same state, which is not easy for old eyes. For you old time BC boys, it has a Williams Machinery tag.

 

[whydontu]

Perfect opportunity to install a DRO

 

[ChazzC]

It's from the phone to the computer where the difficulty lies.

Yes, mine is a little newer,, I can tell from the front hand wheels, but the same second generation model. I have an Eclipse mag chuck instead. And the dials are about in the same state, which is not easy for old eyes. For you old time BC boys, it has a Williams Machinery tag.

If an iPhone to Mac I can help, otherwise can’t.