slomoshun
starting to shine!
Experienced bad influence
Member since April 2018
Posts: 38
|
Post by slomoshun on Sept 6, 2018 18:32:07 GMT -5
This was a totally frivolous but very enjoyable project. Previously, my trimmer was a green 6” unit which crowded the bench top. For my application reducing faceting rough Lapcraft’s L’ILTrimmer is a better size, and it's as complex as a yo-yo (which I consider worthwhile). Lapcraft doesn’t invest a lot of time building the thing, and I knew that up front. Surfaces of the aluminum frame are rough sand-cast. Its khaki-colored paint is crudely sprayed on everything except the table. The little saw is a joy to use, but it is sooo ugly. I noticed right away that contact with a fingernail easily scratched paint off of the motor revealing black powder-coat paint underneath. So I started rubbing more off, and soon the motor assembly was back to its manufactured finish. Next, the frame casting was attacked with files and sandpaper, and the raised lettering was removed. A little time was spent smoothing and polishing the table, too. The coarse aggregate surface inside the water tank was destined to be a crud trap so extra effort was applied there. I had intended to spray on new paint but decided to go with powder coat [Cardinal T064-BL95 Blue Hammertone] because it is way more durable, and the process flows and fills surface flaws. Factory photo
|
|
inbtb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 351
|
Post by inbtb on Sept 6, 2018 18:51:01 GMT -5
Nice job, looks like it's ready to go to work.
Les
|
|
|
Post by fantastic5 on Sept 6, 2018 19:54:19 GMT -5
So pretty!
|
|
|
Post by toiv0 on Sept 6, 2018 21:32:59 GMT -5
Nice but too clean.
|
|
slomoshun
starting to shine!
Experienced bad influence
Member since April 2018
Posts: 38
|
Post by slomoshun on Sept 6, 2018 21:40:52 GMT -5
Thanks all. It won't be clean for long.
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on Sept 6, 2018 21:50:18 GMT -5
Looks like a totally different machine. Good job!
|
|
quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
|
Post by quartz on Sept 6, 2018 23:00:15 GMT -5
About 900% better appearance, and easier to clean in the long run, w/better surface finish.
|
|
minerken
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2013
Posts: 466
|
Post by minerken on Sept 7, 2018 11:55:14 GMT -5
That looks nice but I have to ask Is there a bushing/bearing or at least some sort of grommet missing between the shaft collar and motor?
|
|
slomoshun
starting to shine!
Experienced bad influence
Member since April 2018
Posts: 38
|
Post by slomoshun on Sept 7, 2018 19:55:38 GMT -5
..... Is there a bushing/bearing or at least some sort of grommet missing between the shaft collar and motor? It's OEM. Motor bearings support the load and maintain shaft alignment. A long shaft typically requires a collar bearing, but as a trimmer there isn't much torsional force.
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Sept 8, 2018 11:47:18 GMT -5
Powdercoat was a good choice. Aluminum tends to oxidize under regular paint and peel off easily without an etching primer.
|
|
|
Post by Rockoonz on Sept 8, 2018 11:50:38 GMT -5
..... Is there a bushing/bearing or at least some sort of grommet missing between the shaft collar and motor? It's OEM. Motor bearings support the load and maintain shaft alignment. A long shaft typically requires a collar bearing, but as a trimmer there isn't much torsional force. Mine has many hours of use and purchased used. The shaft now has some side to side play when off, but the magnetic field in the motor holds it pretty rigid when it's on.
|
|