1928 Tripod Restoration

[weasel_master]

I picked up this tripod a while ago from OOW and finally had time and patience to sit down and clean it up. I don't have a sandblaster so I've been using a wire brush as well as a cordless driver and wire wheel for the heavier pitted areas. This thing is completely rusted with a lot of pitting. It does seem to be cleaning up nice though. The sideplate that isn't primed yet is in way better condition then the one seen coated in primer. It took a lot of elbow grease to strip it down.

http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0053.jpg
http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0052-1.jpg
http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0047-1.jpg
http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0049-1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0045-1.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0042-1.jpg

[wonderwolf]

I spy Sokolov....Can't wait to see the completed project W_M....looks great so far

[Planning]

OH! so much work to do, but such a good feeling when it is done.:icon_biggrin:

keep it up. take pictures as you go and keep us posted on the progress. :thumbup:

[weasel_master]

Will do. It's actually kind of nice working on it. I just putz with it after work for an hour or two to unwind from the day. Makes me feel like I actually do something instead of wake up, go to work, go to bed.

[GearHD]

If you're going to strip it - try soaking it in vinegar for 24hrs. Vinegar will strip the rust, paint, & everything else off of it. Once it's done be sure to hose it off thoroughly, dry it & prep for what ever coating you wish to apply. It saves a lot of time. If it "flash rusts" after it drys-the rust will come off easily w/steel wool. It beats a wire brush or a sandblaster.

I'm trying on bluing this weekend.

[weasel_master]

If you're going to strip it - try soaking it in vinegar for 24hrs. Vinegar will strip the rust, paint, & everything else off of it. Once it's done be sure to hose it off thoroughly, dry it & prep for what ever coating you wish to apply. It saves a lot of time. If it "flash rusts" after it drys-the rust will come off easily w/steel wool. It beats a wire brush or a sandblaster.

I'm trying on bluing this weekend.

What's the fun in that? ;) I'll give that a ty on some of the bolts tomorrow. I can throw those in a jar. The legs would need a ton to cover it. I'm not so sure I want to use it on the plates either as it will stink up the basement. I'll probably give it a try on the tripod head. That thing is a pain to get the paint and grime off. Too many nooks and crannies.

[Pirate]

it is a lot of work to redo one of these but the results are worth it.

[weasel_master]

What's the best paint to use to finish it? I'm wanting a color close to what is was before but want something durable. This will see use so I expect it to get dinged up but I want something that won't just chip off easy too.

[SSwee]

An epoxy paint should do what you want. Something like Aluma-Hyde II. The hardest part about using it is waiting till it is cured .
SS

[weasel_master]

I pulled the second plate out of the vinegar after soaking it for 24 hours. The rust, paint, and grime wiped right off. There was still a fair amount in the fits so I just brushed it by hand with some more jelly. I have it hanging in the basement now with the first coat of primer. Next I'm going to start on the elevation mechanism. I'm letting the ammo can bracket and all the handles soak another 24 hours. They are rusted worse than anything but the legs.

Here's a couple pictures before I start in. It would be easier to clean all the little parts from everything at once but I'm afraid if I don't put a piece back together before moving on that I'll forget how it goes back together.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0064.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0063.jpg

[weasel_master]

I worked on it for another 2 hours tonight. All the bolts are done now for putting the head back together. I took the pieces from the elevation mechanism out of the vinegar and scrubbed them down. After that I threw a coat of primer on them as well as the sideplate. Here's a picture of the parts sitting in vinegar and how nasty it gets. The smell kills me but it works so well I can't avoid using it.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0068.jpg

I'm going to start on the handles for locking the legs in place next. By far, the legs are the worst part of the whole thing. Everything moves free but all the retaining pins are rusted in place.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0070.jpg

I'm debating whether I want to drill the rivets out for the back leg and plate or not. It'd be easier to take it apart and rivet it again when it's clean. I'm not sure if I want to mess with it though as it fits perfect now and I'm not sure I could get it just right again.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0071.jpg

[weasel_master]

I finally got back to this project last week. The legs and sideplates were hit with rust colored primer.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0594.jpg

After a couple days of drying out in the basement, I finally got my paint in from Rapco Parts. M1Tanker suggested the paint and it fit the bill perfect. I ended up with way more paint than I need but I'm sure I'll use it sometime.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0598.jpg

Once painted, the markings stood out quite a bit more.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0599.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0601.jpg
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0604.jpg

Anyone have any idea what this stamp was for? Maybe lot code or something? It was faint before I sandblasted and it's even fainter now. It's "B&" and I can't remember the last letter.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u240/weasel_master/CIMG0605.jpg