My Saeco 24 Project, The Before and After

[DeputyDog25]

I just wanted to share one of my projects with everyone who is interested. I acquired this Saeco 24 in pretty poor condition. The pot was very rusty, the thermostat knob wouldn't turn, the plug end was burnt up and the pot didn't heat up. Here are pictures of the pot as I acquired it. As you can see it is in pretty bad shape.

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/_57_zpscb2c3719.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/_57_zpscb2c3719.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/_577_zpsaaa1df9b.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/_577_zpsaaa1df9b.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/_574_zps1a6e7860.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/_574_zps1a6e7860.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/_576_zpse3f54ada.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/_576_zpse3f54ada.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/_572_zps58f873c6.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/_572_zps58f873c6.jpg.html)


I broke the pot down completely, removing the wiring cover and finding the rheostat completely rusted in place. The pot would not heat because one of the posts that hold one of the wires was rusted in half, so I replaced it with a new post, I took the insides out and cleaned the rust off of the rheostat and was able to free the knob. I sandblasted the inside of the pot and then sanded and wire brushed all of the other parts. I then cleaned up everything with mineral spirits, I masked the stainless steel bands with blue tape and applied 4 coats of High Temperature (2000 degree) Gloss Black paint, I then let it cure for two days and then reassembled everything. I did add the mould guide that was missing from the pot when I got it. I fired it up yesterday and it works like new.

http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/2014-12-02165146_zps5c0b8403.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/2014-12-02165146_zps5c0b8403.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/2014-12-02165426_zps07db0927.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/2014-12-02165426_zps07db0927.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/2014-12-02165406_zpsb337810d.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/2014-12-02165406_zpsb337810d.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/2014-12-02165157_zps7e3f6949.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/2014-12-02165157_zps7e3f6949.jpg.html)
http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj623/Deputydog10/2014-12-02165244_zps94f73b90.jpg (http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/Deputydog10/media/2014-12-02165244_zps94f73b90.jpg.html)


Thanks for looking at my post and I hope you enjoyed seeing the transformation from junk to Gem!

[ph4570]

Great job. Sure is nice to bring things back to life/use.

[Nueces]

Good on ya, Mate. Well done.

[beezapilot]

Nicely done! Nothing like a good project.

[DeputyDog25]

Thanks you guys, I really enjoyed this project. I have so much time on my hands as you guys know, this was really good therapy for me. I think I am going to look for something else like this to do. Anybody got any rusty projects sitting on the shelf they don't want?:kidding:

[Tazza]

Awesome job, it has a lot more life left in it.

I did the same to the pot for my master caster, yet it was functional when i worked on it. Pulled it down, sand blasted and painted it. Even replaced the insulation inside it.

You did a great job repairing the old thermostat, i wouldn't have even attempted it.

[pjames32]

Nicely done!

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I have had a Saeco 24 and a 34 both bought new back in the day when they were available. I have kept them in pristine shape to this day and appreciate the outstanding job that you have done to restore your 24 to new condition. It will keep going for a long time and serve you well as mine have done. LLS

[Wasalmonslayer]

Nice job Deputy.
I am guessing this is replacing the lee 4-20.
Again great work it's beautiful!
Wasalmonslayer

[fast ronnie]

I have a friend who restores antique motorcycles fro 1912 to about 38 or so. It is amazing what be done if you take your time and do the job right. A good example is Waksupi's work on Joni Lynns' rifle shown on another thread. Great job!! You should get a lot of good use from something that could have ended up as a toyota!!

[DeputyDog25]

Again, thank you all for the very kind words, they mean a great deal to me, as this is the first time I have ever done something like this. I think I have finally found the one thing I have been looking for to take up all the idle time I have, waiting on our wonderful (:groner:) and very efficient (:confused:) government to decide whether or not I get MY(worked for it didn't I?)money from Social Security Disability. I do hope that I can find a couple more projects like this to do, as I really think it helped me emotionally to do something like this (my wife would agree 1000 times over) as my mood has changed for the better and my mind working on this, has not been focused on the pain as well as all the issues at hand. I do know that all you guys and the forum itself means more to me than you will ever know. Thanks to all. :bigsmyl2:

[DeputyDog25]

Nice job Deputy.
I am guessing this is replacing the lee 4-20.
Again great work it's beautiful!
Wasalmonslayer

Yes it is, although when I first opened up I had my doubts whether or not I could bring it back to life. I hope to have it last me at least the rest of my life and I will pass it on to my grandson, as he has been working with me and just loves to cast and reload.

[jmort]

Really nice to see that restoration. Miss the old days when So Cal made all kinds of cool stuff like that.

[bullet maker 57]

Great job. Looks almost new.

[CastingFool]

Good job, DeputyDog! Looks very nice. there is a lot of satisfaction in restoring old stuff.

[Petrol & Powder]

nicely done

[gmsharps]

Job well done.

gmsharps

[anotherred]

That really is a great job you did!

[Bzcraig]

Well done! There is a greater sense of accomplishment in restoring what was broken than starting with something new.

[odinohi]

Very nice job. I restored my 24 also. Bead blasted, new insulation, Barbque paint. I have been buying all the 24's and Lyman 61's I can afford. Planning on restoring and sell on eBay. Most of mine are missing the mold guide. Where did you get yours? Thanks , Tom

[FLHTC]

nice job indeed. I'd love to find a mold guide too. Now that I've seen yours, I just might make one.

[John Allen]

It looks great I love bringing old stuff back to life.

[Dale53]

DeputyDog25;
That is a FINE restoration! Gives a feller a tremendous amount of satisfaction (plus it's a great piece of equipment in it's own right).

Good job!
Dale53

[Geezer in NH]

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!

[Rich/WIS]

Does Lyman even still make mold guides? Bought one recently on Ebay, think it was just over $20 shipped, from of all places a photography store. That as the first one I have seen in over a year. Unless you get lucky and find one on the forum or someplace like Ebay only source may be a donor pot with one on it.

[fred2892]

Does Lyman even still make mold guides? Bought one recently on Ebay, think it was just over $20 shipped, from of all places a photography store. That as the first one I have seen in over a year. Unless you get lucky and find one on the forum or someplace like Ebay only source may be a donor pot with one on it.

Just been reading the thread about the new Lyman mag25. That has a mould guide so Lyman must have them as spare parts.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Sharp!

[DeputyDog25]

Just been reading the thread about the new Lyman mag25. That has a mould guide so Lyman must have them as spare parts.

Unfortunately the Lyman Mag 25 uses a totally different design on the mould guide and from what I am hearing, it has not been well received by those who have received theirs already.