October 28, 201213 yr I've just picked up a Buffalo blower, Model no2E. It has a Buffalo Forge electric motor attached to it dated feb 13 1918. Looks like It was last used around that time too. I decided to clean it up a bit. De-greased it and color came through. A brilliant green. .....I've seen this green before. I have a never used 4" flatter that I cleaned to find the same color. The same story with some atha and random RR hot cuts, hole punches. All the same color green? Is this a historical thing I've missed? Most all of these items are 60+ years old. And I expect no one has just up and decided to color these in modern times. (then used them to the point that the color faded) Penny for your thoughts.
October 28, 201213 yr I THINK beverly shears may have come from the factory in green (mine is uniform rust color but I wouldn't mind restoring it someday). Greenly, George M.
October 28, 201213 yr A thin black paint seems to have been the most common factory issue color on old tools, usually because it was cheap, and prevented rust before it got to the customer. On cast items, many times the raised letters were highlighted in gold or silver. Red and other base colors less common. Army green and battleship grey seem to have been mostly on military sales.
October 29, 201213 yr The factory where I used to work had green paint on all the equipment including the blacksmith shop. I'm just suggesting that maybe It might not be a manufacturing paint but a shop paint.
October 29, 201213 yr Author In ya'lls opinion, would fully restoring this (and using it) destroy its value?
October 29, 201213 yr In ya'lls opinion, would fully restoring this (and using it) destroy its value? No. Use it and have fun.
October 29, 201213 yr my edwards shear is a light blue was in the same blacksmith shop from new (1910) to when i got it out in 2012. the old style little giants where green from the factory, the closest color Sid has found to original is shamerock green.
October 29, 201213 yr IMNSHO It's value is that of a tool. A non-used tool is a dust collector! These are not some rare treasured collectors items; they were sold by the thousands per the old catalogs. A "working" one is much more valuable than a non-working "patina'd" one!
October 29, 201213 yr Author I was going to gut it and replace the brushes and bushings. Repaint it AND use it. I could care less about your patina. I was told not to mess with that old of an electric motor.
October 29, 201213 yr I was going to gut it and replace the brushes and bushings. Repaint it AND use it. I could care less about your patina. I was told not to mess with that old of an electric motor. Oil/grease it and put some power to it - might run just fine. In addition, most of these were designed to run with a potentiometer to provide some speed control. Straight power won't hurt it but the blast will be wide open...
October 29, 201213 yr Paint, repair and use. I'm sure the comment about patina was a joke. I always laugh at Stuart's jokes. Additionally, I have heard several antique dealers use "repaired by a blacksmith" as adding value to items.
October 29, 201213 yr Author I love you guys, Its Data plate says "Will work on either direct current or alternating current. 25-40-50-60 Cycles. Voltage same as rheostat which must always be used with motor" Forgive the ignorance of someone my age, but does that mean that I could hook it up to my jeep that puts out 6v ?
October 29, 201213 yr I love you guys, Its Data plate says "Will work on either direct current or alternating current. 25-40-50-60 Cycles. Voltage same as rheostat which must always be used with motor" Forgive the ignorance of someone my age, but does that mean that I could hook it up to my jeep that puts out 6v ? No, it means you can drive it off 110v DC or AC (I'm assuming it's not 220v). There are still 110v DC sources out there - think Lincoln Electric SA-200 welders; the little 110v plug in the center of the panel is DC. Since the plate says to use a rheostat, you may want to find one and hook in-line to control the speed. The brushes allow it to vary speed with the potentiometer - a brushless motor is either on or off unless using a VFD.
October 29, 201213 yr It absolutely was a joke......;I have to joke, knee-deep from from the hurricane............to keep me from crying........... Seriously? Are you flooding?
October 29, 201213 yr Well, take it from someone who lives in flood country - if they advise evacuating, make sure you take off for higher ground. That equipment will dry out after being underwater - you won't. What would we ever do if Stewart wasn't around on IFI? Seriously - take care of yourself - it ain't worth dying for.
October 29, 201213 yr Author Wow, do take care...If you need somewhere to store your anvils I'll take good care of them. ;) on the other note. DARN!!! I was hoping to be able to do that. The only thing I've seen hooked up to dc like that now is a 100hp motor on 880v system. I thought scene it was so old it might work out.
October 30, 201213 yr I keep telling ya ..... purple is the blacksmith color.........along with gloss fire engine red and yellow..... ^_^
October 31, 201213 yr The guys at Grizzly seem to like Green paint for tools... A lot! Of course they are not big on blacksmithing. They do sell some anvils
October 31, 201213 yr Dear rthibeau, Purple doesn't become a blacksmith color until a couple of days after you have whacked yourself, then progressing to green and yellow. ;-) Contusively, George M.
November 4, 201213 yr Author LOL George Btw, does anyone know where to find a list of buffalo products where i can look at more infor about my new blower?
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