A Spindle Sander is reborn. For those who missed my earlier posts, I picked up an old Max spindle sander on Ebay. I haven't been able to discern the date of manufacture yet but the serial number makes it 1980 or newer, so at the oldest it is nearly 30 years old. It was made in USA by Max. After going through various iterations, the company started in the early 1900's, is still doing business and is now partnered with Tannewitz a maker of big "old iron" bandsaws.
It looks like it had been used in a shop environment (it is a heavy duty industrial quality machine). When I got it the top was heavily rusted, the pedestal very dirty and greasy, the switch was missing, and one spindle was seized in the socket, but the insides, the gear mechanism, looked new and will likely outlast me! As to cost- a new one lists for $4400. with a street price of $3500!!!! I paid about one tenth of that plus $25 shop fee and less that $20 for sand paper, paint, gear oil and grease.
I tore it completely down; took the spindle socket to a machine shop have the seized spindle removed; cleaned, de-greased, and de-rusted everything; replaced the gear box oil and grease; painted the formerly green pedestal and trunnions with rattle can smoke gray; applied red paint highlighting to the stamped and raised cast iron markings, including the "Made in USA"; and installed a single phase motor and new switch assembly (shop spares). Not only does it look new again, it works great and purrs like a kitten!!
Rather than refer you back to previously posted pics, here are both before and after shots:
Complete unit:
Before:
After:
The top:
Before:
After:
Spindle and dust housing:
Before:
After:
Pedestal and spindle shelf detail:
Before:
After:
Another pic:
It looks like it had been used in a shop environment (it is a heavy duty industrial quality machine). When I got it the top was heavily rusted, the pedestal very dirty and greasy, the switch was missing, and one spindle was seized in the socket, but the insides, the gear mechanism, looked new and will likely outlast me! As to cost- a new one lists for $4400. with a street price of $3500!!!! I paid about one tenth of that plus $25 shop fee and less that $20 for sand paper, paint, gear oil and grease.
I tore it completely down; took the spindle socket to a machine shop have the seized spindle removed; cleaned, de-greased, and de-rusted everything; replaced the gear box oil and grease; painted the formerly green pedestal and trunnions with rattle can smoke gray; applied red paint highlighting to the stamped and raised cast iron markings, including the "Made in USA"; and installed a single phase motor and new switch assembly (shop spares). Not only does it look new again, it works great and purrs like a kitten!!
Rather than refer you back to previously posted pics, here are both before and after shots:
Complete unit:
Before:
After:
The top:
Before:
After:
Spindle and dust housing:
Before:
After:
Pedestal and spindle shelf detail:
Before:
After:
Another pic: