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I Winder
Feb 16, 2021 23:07:16 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by CrazyBrit on Feb 16, 2021 23:07:16 GMT -8
Try a Thrift Store and look for items with handles on them. I was thinking old sewing machine cases and the like that have those sorts of handles on them. You might find something very similar.
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Post by busaddict on Feb 17, 2021 1:08:52 GMT -8
I love old testing equipment, now we know what to give Russ for his birthday should we find something like this at a garage sale
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Post by Volktales on Feb 21, 2021 20:28:42 GMT -8
Sooo, A little more got accomplished this weekend... Tony has a stash of glass, and amazingly he had the required 2MM thickness. And he even cut it to the required dimensions too! Thanks a lot Tony!!! A little bit of sanding on the edges was all it took to fit in the casing perfectly. Doing this was highly stressful though, as I had issues with the meter "face" insert moving around, and dislodging the tiny paper stops for the needle. And bending the needle out of alignment sucked too, as did finding out the needle mechanism would stick at the far end of the scale. Eventually I overcame these issues, and now it is finally back in place... Then it was time to do something with the case. I went to Rona to see how close a can of my favourite Rustoleum would match. But it was not very close, so a trip will be made to Rondex for an accurate colour matched can of Bosch blue... Just because I can't help myself... I also toured my local thrift shop, and was not able to find a suitable handle. Went through my stash of old radios, and found some neat stuff, but sadly no suitable handles. Something will show up. Now time to order those reproduction knobs...
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Post by Volktales on Feb 28, 2021 20:34:09 GMT -8
Sooo, it was time to think about removing that original paint on the case. It was my intention to use paint stripper this time around, but that was completely ineffective on the finish. I thought I would try an experiment with razor blades and see what would happen. And off the paint came with relative ease... Removing it was the right decision, as look how much it had rusted under the paint. Everywhere there was a chip, the rust had grown tentacles underneath. Not acceptable. Then I broke out my favourite Krud Kutter rust remover gel, and spread it around with an old paintbrush. In about ten minute, almost all the rust was gone. Nice. As a bonus, the rust remover softened the last of the remaining paint, and this scrubbed off with a small wire brush. I did lose the original sticker with serial number on the back, but as this was completely illegible, it was no major loss. All paint stripped, rust stripped, and sanded smooth. Ready for some fresh paint... Continued...
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Post by Volktales on Feb 28, 2021 20:44:56 GMT -8
Primer time! I also added a tiny bit of seam sealer in a couple of the areas that could use it. It looked quite nice in a fresh coat of Bosch blue. This was computer colour matched at Rondex, and looks very close (it is much brighter in the sunlight outside). Initially I was happy with the finish, BUT... Once dry, it was possible to see some pitting through the paint. This was invisible after the initial sanding, and could not be seen through the primer either. I elected to respray the top only, with another few coats of blue after fine sanding of the previous coat. A little bit is still visible, but I am OK with that now. "Defects" are now called "patina", aren't they??? While that was drying, I got out the Dremel and attacked my old household thermostat housing. Why? No it is not an exact match, but should do. I could not bring myself to pry off one of the remaining button covers to copy it, so made this approximation instead. I was bummed when smoothing out the button after filing, I removed too much of the fading, and now the replacement is brighter then it was when I started. Oh well... Next up is still looking for a handle that sort of matches. Might put the rest of the machine back together and fit a suitable handle later when one comes up..,.
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Post by tony on Feb 28, 2021 21:24:36 GMT -8
Nice resto!👍
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Post by Volktales on Mar 6, 2021 11:43:58 GMT -8
While I am waiting for the replacement knobs to arrive, here is a picture of what the original handle should look like. The machine in the picture is a later version, the EFAW 228. It would be nice to find a similar handle to this. Otherwise I will have to get something close as possible on line...
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Post by tony on Mar 6, 2021 12:58:26 GMT -8
Does this unit have one of your patent homemade buttons on it? 😎
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Post by Volktales on Mar 6, 2021 19:35:21 GMT -8
Does this unit have one of your patent homemade buttons on it? 😎 It sure does look like it.
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Post by Volktales on Mar 14, 2021 19:36:37 GMT -8
Sooo, look right arrived today... The same style as original, but a bit smaller. All the reproductions available are this size... They will do. They seem ok once installed... It is finished for now. I will continue to look for a suitable handle secondhand. I would rather not order a new not really matching replacement due to the cost. Put it this way, those reasonable $9 US knobs turned into $32 Canadian bucks once they arrived here... I will eventually try out the EFAW 193 on my Fastback when I get a chance...
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Post by Volktales on Mar 28, 2021 18:47:28 GMT -8
Well lookie what Don found in his garage... Just an old unused storage box that once came from Canadian Tire. But look at that glorious handle there just waiting for me! I was able to reuse the original Bosch metal strap, and slip the Canadian Tire rubber sleeve over top. Just a slight bit of trimming was required. The metal end caps were treated to a Krud Kutter bath which nicely removed all the rust. Installation with some chrome screws filched from Dad's stash worked great! Looks original, and works perfectly. Just what I hoped for. Now the next thing will be to actually test it out on the car, but that won't be for a bit. Still nice to complete the cosmetic part of the restoration anyway...
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Post by PICTUP on Mar 28, 2021 20:38:05 GMT -8
It pays to dismantle a bench every once in a while... well it did for you this time anyway Serendipity
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