Restoring Old Atlas Lathe

[creative_mind]

I have an old Atlas lathe dated back in the 50's that I wish to restore. I am in the process of dismantling it.

I wish to remove the old paint and the encrusted grease that has accumulated over the years.

How does one go about to remove it without any further damaging the parts?

Sandblasting? Chemicals?

[CNCadmin]

Navy gelly will take off all the paint.

[creative_mind]

What's "Navy Gelly, and where can I obtain it?

[pack rat]

I googled it and found a site http://www.usahardware.com/inet/shop...atex/80276_nj1 but I dont know anything about the store. Product is also a rust remover.

[BIG AL]

In answer to your question, use both. The one point of above all others is protecting the ways from sandblasting. So stay away from the ways. Do yourself a large favor and have on hand two items. One a camera, two an assembly manual. The camera to record the dissimbly. That you are planning a tare down is a good thing,as it makes moving the items you want blasted and the one you don't far from the sand. Just remember that it ain't just rust and old paint you will be removing. There will be fillers that will need to be replaced. So wellcome to Bondoland. About now your mind is probaly thinking paint, well think primer too. Now after spending a whole lot of time on this project you had an idea of a phone call to Houseof Color or just blowing the wad on some high dollar paint. CALL an Automotive paint store for help. Ask them if they can fill spraycans for you if you buy your paint from them. That is unless you are setup to shoot paint. Now I'am sure that you have found the right spot, lots of help for you on this site, so best of luck and we want to see pic's. ( before and afters are allways nice)

[Bloy2004]

Do you want to restore with the original color? If not, Look at this link here in CNCzone. It is a disassembly and repainting of a lathe. All of the smaller parts were dropped in a pail of that standard "Carb and Parts" cleaner. It takes everything off. Some of the larger parts were cleaned with a spraycan of water rinsable "Klean-Strip"....also called "Aircraft Klean-Strip Remover". You may need extra cans. The paint used was Rustoleum "Hammered" spray cans which comes in a number of colors. It takes a couple of days to cure well, but so far it seems extremely durable. This was a low cost way for me to get a nice finish to the lathe. It wipes clean easily.
But maybe you wish for a professional paint job.
http://www.cnczone.com/showthread.php?threadid=2139

[creative_mind]

Yes, the new paint will possibly be in the original color. That is, if I have some idea of the paint number. What's the chance of that?

I will post some pictures soon.

[Bloy2004]

Just in case you are flexible to the color, that "hammered" paint needs no primer. This was its drawing feature for me. It eliminated that middle step of priming. Thus far the only places that the paint was chipped off were where I neglected to remove the original paint and knocked a tool or part against it.

[Ken_Shea]

What model is your Atlas?
I have a model 10100 6" metal turning lathe. The reason I mention this is that I do have a operations manual with instructions, exploded views and part numberl, albeit well worn and oiled, it is readable. I could scan (as soon as I get me scanner working again) it and send you a copy. I believe I bought this in the 60's

Let me know

Ken
.

[robert w]

Hi!

I have restored three Atlas lathes.
If you are interested in preserving the original paint be sure to use a water based detergent to remove greasy deposits from painted surfaces. Orange cleaners and Simple Green are two examples.

If you plan on painting the lathe feel free to use other types of solvent such as paint thinner and acetone. These solvents are particularly good for eliminating gunk from cast iron before painting.

I always use a pressure washer in the process of cleaning machinery because they are so effective in getting deposits out of cast iron and other tight places such as oil passages, gears and lead screw threads.

Good luck,
Bob