[darmic1]

Have now got some colour on the two cylinders I’m keeping and the clutch.

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[darmic1]

Soaked the rollers overnight in the preservative mix, wiped off the excess and took them out to dry in the sunshine. Have made sure the rags are washed out in soapy water before putting them in the bin.

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[darmic1]

So John, Just how big was that tin of Atco Green???

[darmic1]

After a “Google” of the inter-web thingy…… I found a local organisation who enjoy turning wood, Turning it into all sorts it would seem! After approaching their club chairman and posing my question if they had any members who were local and willing to reproduce some front rollers for my Atco mower. An extremely helpful chap by the name of Tony kindly invited me to his workshop Saturday morning and gave a brilliant demonstration making these. They are turned from some English Oak, seasoned, and moisture content down to 10%. Each roller roughly took an hour to complete from the stock wood. I have had 2 sets made, one to fit and a spare set. I will be treating these with a 50/50 mix of Linseed oil and Turps as advised by Tony. I will leave them to soak overnight, making sure the brass is fitted first as the wood could swell a little.

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[darmic1]

Hi Paul, will be using this grass box, but will replace current brackets with the replica correct ones.
Evening John, thanks for that. It does kinda make sense….. Was thinking something along those lines, or maybe the lighter blades were the older ones, due to metal being in short supply after the war? A 3rd option could be the Light Atco, which these are, had a lighter cylinder……. the heavier one is from a standard 14″ inch machine but both parts were machined the same to keep costs down and make use of common bearing parts?

[darmic1]

Guys, advice needed again from you knowledgeable lot!
Both the mowers I have were fitted with these cylinders (photo 082) Now my question is these are much lighter and thinner steel in construction and are not hardened along the edges. In the box of spares I collected there was another cylinder, allegedly from another identical machine. However this cylinder is much heavier, made of thicker steel, has an extra frame support and hardened blades (photo 083). But identical in length, diameter and machined ends. My question is would it be possible to fit the heavier, stronger cylinder? Or do I run the risk of damaging bearings etc?

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[darmic1]

Hi Gareth, cheers for that…….. sorry about being unable to take the phone calls. Been a bit messy today with what happened……

[darmic1]

Does anyone have a light Atco 14″ with original grass box? It would appear that my grass box is from a later or different machine, as the box doesnt seem to fit that well. If you do, would it be possible to photograph how the box fits, with maybe a sketch and the dimensions for the brackets. It would be very useful so I can make this box work, now I’ve got it looking nice…..

[darmic1]

You are probably right! It might have something the P prefix though and it sees that each picture starts the same?

[darmic1]

Hi Steve, to fix the problem, rename the photo’s 001, 002, 003 etc…… The site software only recognises alpha numeric file names. Its been posted before about the problem, luckily its an easy self help fix!

[darmic1]

The cylinder was just blasted, as it made an odd noise when tapped with a hammer, indicating a possible failed weld. Found that there was a crack in one, so I ground the weld back and re-welded it. Its now in etch primer, ready for paint. I have 2 cylinders, so once the 2nd has been shot blasted, I will choose the better one to put in the restored mower. I’ve spoken to a friend who works as a groundsman/mechanic at a local golf course. He is going to grind both cylinders and bottom blades for me.

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[darmic1]

Picked up the bits from the blasters and powder coaters today. Its not been powder coated green as the powder was nearly £400 a box……. It has been coated with epoxy primer and baked. It will be painted with the 2K.

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[darmic1]

Have been to collect a box of 14″ light Atco spares today. Both side plates, cylinder, bottom blade frame, almost new bottom blade, bearings and carriers, front and rear roller axles, the bars and tubes which space and mount the engine plus all the nuts, bolts, gears and chains…. All for 99p!

The other almost complete mower found its way into the back of the car somehow???? Just needs a new HT lead, a fuel tank, refit the kick start and adjust the clutch.

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[darmic1]

Oh dear…….. They appear to be multiplying………

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[darmic1]

Slip of the tongue, calling it grease, just the term used in the workshop….. Have seen what happens when its put somewhere it shouldnt be, ie on wiper spindles and wiper ball joints! A guy came in complaining that his newly fitted wiper rods had failed in quite acatastrophic way…… He was amazed when a technician explained the effect copper slip paste has on ball joints and bearings! Was even less happy to be presented with a £270 bill for new rods and links plus labour……

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