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Queen City Model 15-B Buffer Restoration

CPM2014

Cast Iron
Joined
Apr 18, 2014
Location
Austin,TX
I purchased this buffer online after I saw the pristine example of CraftMethods on instagram. I knew I had to have one. My goal is to rebuild and replace everything that needs attention and then repaint it to as close to original as I can.

I will be using this in the restoration of vintage motorcycles in my garage shop.

Here is the online photo that I purchased it by.
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It is one ugly machine with guards that I’m pretty sure do more harm than good. First step is to remove them
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These were welded and brazed to the castings. Looks like there were many repairs made over time to the guards. Removing them revealed shallow divits in the casting where the welds were.
 
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I believe this is the original paint. Dark charcoal with splatter.

The bells on each end where the guards were mounted will be where most of the repair work will be. 43CAFA57-B277-4B99-9B0C-8F2C93E4AE19.jpg
It looks as though the original setup was much like a brake drum shaped piece that bolts onto the end of the bells. My best guess is that they slipped a Sleeve over them and welded/brazed them in place.
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The rest of the buffer looks to be in great shap, although very dirty as to be expected
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Threads on one side only are a bit worn but still usable
 
I stripped the buffer down and pulled the shaft/rotor. With the shaft mounted between center it was measured for any bends. All turned out well. Rotor looks to be in great shape too.
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The shaft ends surely show their age but still very usable.
Here is a pic to show the scale of this thing. Its quite big!
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Next comes stripping the old paint and star body work. I will probably use Sherwin Williams epoxy paint. Do you guys use regular Bondo for filler??
 
After I stripped the machine down I checked bearings for play and the outboard set needed replacing. Bearings are replace and entire machine has been stripped of all paint
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The old switch still worked fine but looked terrible and the buttons had so much wear that you couldnt read the “start” and “stop” anymore. I couldn’t find a replacement switch but was able to find a smaller vintage switch with the same buttons so I bought it. Original switch is now fully rebuilt and new buttons installed.
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I am going to paint it with Sherwin Williams epoxy paint. Man, this is by far the most expensive I’ve purchased. I would have used a different paint but I had it tinted before I asked the price.
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The only thing left to do is modify end caps to accept dust hoods that I will be building. I am also making new brass tags. The old were too badly damaged to restore so I will be laser engraving new ones.
 








 
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