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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

JP Maxees 3 - Paint Colours and replacement Nuts/Bolts

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Hi folks.

Help!, Again!!!

I am currently stripping down a 1967 Mk 3 JP Maxees push mower.

Will 500ml of paint be enough for the entire mower body and grassbox ?, I intend to spray rather hand hand paint.

When I reassemble the mower I would like to use new nuts/bolts/screws etc do you any of you have any names of good suppliers I could use please? Need something that will not be liable to any corrosion. 

The adjusting lever on the mower that has a round brown knob,(please see photo). Is it made of Bakelite?, if so I have read that 'Brasso' is a good product to clean it up? 

Would you please offer me any suggestions on filling the dents that the Grassbox has or, as they are not too bad would you maybe leave them, (pleas see photo).

Thanks for any help / suggestions you can offer me they will be more than appreciated.

Regards.

Rob

 

 

Forums

RansomesRob Mon, 08/10/2018

Hi

Sorry, messed up on adding photos will add them later, (Physio appointment at 1.00) Apologies. Rob

RansomesRob Mon, 08/10/2018

Hi. The photos that should have accompanied my original post. Thanks. Rob

Hi. The photos attached that should have accompanied my original request. Thanks. Rob

Antbr123 Wed, 10/10/2018

Hi RansomesRob.

I have just about finished restoring a 1961 Maxees-14" and could probably help source you some bits and pieces.  I also have a complete JP Maxees Mk3 (less handles) waiting to be restored which I picked up at the weekend.  They both use the same schedule of materials.

A good source of fasteners is https://www.polished-stainless.com/  contact is Mike Peters Tel 01636 636735.  GWR Fasteners may also be able to help although a little more expensive.

The threads are all BSF and get in plenty of 5/16th" nuts!  Just one tip though....what ever you do do not lose the 3 Hex Hd screws retaining the domed bearing cover on the RH side (standing from an operators position).  They are 2BA x 1/4" and you cannot buy replacements - rare as hens teeth.  Why JP used BA screws is unknown as all other fasteners are standard BSF thread.

Antbr123

RansomesRob Wed, 10/10/2018

Hi Antbr123 and Wristpin. Many thanks for the contacts for the Nuts/Bolts etc, much appreciated. Thanks Tony for your advice on taking care of the Hex HD screws. There is growing collection of brown envelopes containing the screws etc, all marked up (in the hope I can put the mower back together once de-rusted and repainted!!). Going back to the rarity of the Hex HD screws I have just done a search on EBay, if you type in, Pack of 20 x 2BA 1/4" Hex Head Steel Screws for Live Steam Model Making someone has them for sale at £3.00 (Presume they are the same thing, apologies if not) - Hope this may help if you need more for future restoration projects.

Once again thanks to you both for your kind assistance. Regards. Rob

 

Antbr123 Wed, 10/10/2018

Sorry Rob - my typo error - it should read 1BA X 1/4" not 2BA.  I have found a company called BA-Bolts who can supply 1BA x 1/2" long - but you need to cut them down to size.  £19 for qty 50 - so expensive....but that is the closest I have found.  Note these are not zinc plated either.  The original fasteners were all eityher zinc or cadmium plated to protect against corrosion.

once again - apologies for the typo.

Tony

wristpin Thu, 11/10/2018

Seems that there is no way to reply to your request for grommets - are they anything special?  

RansomesRob Thu, 11/10/2018

Hi Wristpin. Thanks for your reply. Sadly I am not sure if the grommets I need are anything special. Being the novice that I am I assumed that as my Mini Mower is dated 1963 and the last Maxees push mower models were early 1970s they may be difficult to source now. Perhaps should have had a wander around the hardware stores before posting a 'Wanted' advert. B and Q here I come!!  Regards. Rob

Chris G Thu, 11/10/2018

Indeed, grommets blind or otherwise in non heat applications mind - take your pick on an assorted sets. For anything that needs to have oil, grease, heat or mechanical wear it needs to be a bit more selective 

Antbr123 Fri, 12/10/2018

Good idea wristpin.  However, I know that those grommets are also s..ds to find - so if you find them Rob - let me know! I measured them about about 4.5mm diam, but I searched under hole blanking plugs and came up with nothing. In addition on the top of the cutter unit adjustment arm underneath the screws holding brackets to the adjustment arm should be some rubber washers, then a split spring washer.  The thread bore is 1/4".

Address these as well and you will have covered the only 4 bits of rubber on the whole mower - if you discount the handle bar grips.  A possible source for those is PriceofBath who do a decent copy.  The originals were made by John Bull, long since closed and they had 42 ribs along the top of the grip.  PriceofBath do one the same size but it only has 26 ribs.  Cost is £2 each and speak to Lynne. Earlier Maxees used grips from a company called Romac - again long since disappeared - and I have not found a source for those yet.  New tooling for hand grips costs £200 to get them made.

RansomesRob Fri, 12/10/2018

Hi Wristpin, ChrisG,Tony. Many thanks for your replies,which are more than appreciated. Tony, appreciated the info on the rubber handles supplier. I have a 12" Green's Zephyr push mower that will need handle grips so will get in touch with them at some point. Once again, thanks all. Enjoy your weekend when it arrives. Cheers. Rob

RansomesRob Fri, 19/10/2018

Hi Antbr123. Thanks for the info on the rubber handle supplier Tony. Contacted J.Price of Bath today, very helpful. 2 sets ordered up. Enjoy your weekend. Regards. Rob

Antbr123 Wed, 24/10/2018

Hi Rob.

Yes - I spoke with PriceofBath.  They mentioned that you had been in contact and ordered 2 sets.  Thanked me for spreading the word.  Btw - anybody else who wants hand grips for JP handle bars, the majority of the handle bars are 9/16th and the hand grips are 1/2" bore.  They will fit tightly if first softened in hot water and then washing up liquid applied to the handlebar.  Do not use oil and definitely not WD-40 as when this dries you have effectively glued the grips to the bar!!.  I have stocks if anyone wants a couple. I am still waiting on a quote for the rubber grommets.  Tony