#693980
Thu Sep 07 2017 06:50 PM
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I picked up another Tokheim 36B a few months back. It was leaning over and a tree had grown into the top. It pretty much looked like a lost cause and was bent inward and downward.
This is the second 36B top that I have straightened. I thought I would take a few pics. and share here on oldgas. I hope this will help and encourage someone else to try and save their top. They can be straightened with heat, pressure, and a lot of patience!
1) Build a heavy duty steel support jig. 2) Have lots of clamps, angle, channel, flat bar, etc. on hand 3) Slowly heat the pot metal top. (I used a Reddy Heater) 4) Slowly apply pressure with each carefully placed clamp a little at a time. Don't go too fast. I would move the bent section a little and place back in front of the heat. I was heating it hot enough that it would almost burn you with gloves on. A lot of the car guys say you can work pot metal at about 300 degrees or so. 5) Once straightened, turn off heat and let it cool on its own. I didn't take the jigs or clamps off until a couple days later. The end result speaks for itself, perfect top again! And NO cracks!
Before:
Last edited by 57-Chevy; Thu Sep 07 2017 07:23 PM.
KJV Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
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Please - NO offers to Buy or Sell in this forum category
Statements such as, "I'm thinking about selling this." are considered an offer to sell.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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KJV Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
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That's amazing. Had no idea you could do that with pot metal.
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Craig
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Very, very nice job. Good save.
-Steve B. (WTB: 48" Flying A button, 48" black/org Phillips 66, White Star, and Chevrolet Signs. Also looking for a Wayne 866. Send a PM. Thanks.)
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NOW! That is a great post. Thank you for sharing.
Randy
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Thank you for posting that. I'm a newbie
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Ron, that one can be straightened! Just remember patience!
KJV Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
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Can I just send you mine -- what you charge-- ruben
looking for spanish gas signs
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That is nice work. Good job on straightening out the original part without cracking it!
BrianH
Brian H
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I haven't got mine apart, but it should fit into an oven and set it to 300 deg.
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Did you get flight control approval on the oven thing? The
Have gas all the time
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We'll see, I'll keep you posted.
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Could this work also on a Bennett top ? What kind of heater did you use ?
Craig
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Possibly? I placed the 36b top right in front of my shop reddy heater. You can put it in an oven too. I got it pretty hot, so hot it would almost burn me with leather work gloves on.
KJV Psalms 16:11
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
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