Original reo grand retrofit project

[basementcat]

So if you’ve been here this last week you may have read a couple posts by me talking about an original reo grand I ended up getting off an auction site. The seller didn’t divulge that button had melted and spring was collapsed. To my dismay I had already tracked down an rm2 and another decent atty for it and was not ready to return it. Instead I will post here it’s current condition and then all the work done to it to make it right. Replacing all the original parts with upgrade parts and also replacing the original 510 with the new adjustable 510. Wish me luck. I may need it lol. Pics incoming next post.

 

[B2L]

No luck needed, one of the great things about mechs in general, and REOs specifically, is that you can rehab them pretty easily. Looking forward to the pics and your journey. Once you do this it is good and truly yours.

 

[basementcat]

No luck needed, one of the great things about mechs in general, and REOs specifically, is that you can rehab them pretty easily. Looking forward to the pics and your journey. Once you do this it is good and truly yours.

Thanks. I just hope I can drill out or remove the current 510 without hazard. I do have a nice drill press, an arbor press and a 6 ton press so I should be good to go.

 

[basementcat]

Here’s the pics. As you can see the spring is collapsed and the button is very well melted. Other than that it’s decent especially for it’s age. A little bubbling of the paint or powder coat around the catch cup and a little tiny bit on the inside where the bottle lays. I might try to sand the catch cup down to raw aluminum so I don’t have any paint possibly mixing with my juice. Overall I think it’s great for it’s age besides it’s mistreatment.

 

[B2L]

View attachment 808761 View attachment 808763 View attachment 808765 View attachment 808767 View attachment 808769 View attachment 808771 View attachment 808773 Here’s the pics. As you can see the spring is collapsed and the button is very well melted. Other than that it’s decent especially for it’s age. A little bubbling of the paint or powder coat around the catch cup and a little tiny bit on the inside where the bottle lays. I might try to sand the catch cup down to raw aluminum so I don’t have any paint possibly mixing with my juice. Overall I think it’s great for it’s age besides it’s mistreatment.

If you’re sanding down the paint on the catch cup, if you have a belt sander you can sand the catch cup lip down to LP height and use any BF atty on it.

 

[basementcat]

If you’re sanding down the paint on the catch cup, if you have a belt sander you can sand the catch cup lip down to LP height and use any BF atty on it.

Yeah I’m a knife maker by trade so I have a 2x72 belt sander. I kind of wanted to keep this old school though. When I first quit cigs a reo was what got me there. LP reos didn’t exist then. So this brings back that feeling. I eventually might do that but for now I want to toss on an rm2 and relive my glory days lol.

 

[basementcat]

Also I was only going to sand the inside part of the cup. Where the atomizers sits.

 

[Izan]

Also I was only going to sand the inside part of the cup. Where the atomizers sits.

Pro tip: You can't see the bottom of the cup unless the atty is removed.
If, after you remove the old 510, the powder coat is flaky, I might just smooth it out as needed to properly seat the new 510.
Taking all the Powder coat off is, Imo, more trouble than it is worth unless you are doing the whole unit for a RAW ALU finish. (even then, the cup is a huge PIA)

HTH
I

 

[B2L]

Yeah I’m a knife maker by trade so I have a 2x72 belt sander. I kind of wanted to keep this old school though. When I first quit cigs a reo was what got me there. LP reos didn’t exist then. So this brings back that feeling. I eventually might do that but for now I want to toss on an rm2 and relive my glory days lol.

I can respect that

Would love to see some of your knife work, that’s something else I’m very interested in.

 

[basementcat]

I can respect that

Would love to see some of your knife work, that’s something else I’m very interested in.

I can send you some pics sometime soon if you want.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

A worthy project, cat

Sounds like you have all the tools (and experience) to pull this off. Most folks walk away at the "drill out the 510" step.

 

[basementcat]

A worthy project, cat

Sounds like you have all the tools (and experience) to pull this off. Most folks walk away at the "drill out the 510" step.

I’ll be working on it either this evening or tomorrow. Hopefully it’ll go smoothly. I don’t think I’ll have any issues though. I have a 6 ton press I might just try to press the old one out.

 

[basementcat]

Well I can say it was a success. It didn’t come without its issues of course but it’s all done and working great. This old guy has been out of service for nearly 8 years. No more. It will now be my daily driver. So glad to be back with the best device out there.

 

[Robinowitz]

Bravo and welcome back!! Thanks for your photos of the process!

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Nice. Good job.

 

[basementcat]

Nice. Good job.

Thank you!

 

[basementcat]

Bravo and welcome back!! Thanks for your photos of the process!

No problem!

 

[SteamStack]

As a former member would say, "Vape it, like ya stole it!" Haha

Great job!

 

[SteamStack]

Now can ya make a woodvil? Heh

 

[basementcat]

Now can ya make a woodvil? Heh

Probably not. My woodworking skills have never been good. Metal and resin are my media.