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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Dis ad-Vantage

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Just taken delivery of a Dudley Works Vantage which is in need of a lot of attention. All complete apart from the wooden handles, front rollers are about to crumble, and the cylinder appears to be on backwards, (if that's possible).

I'm looking forward to this restoration, love the baby blue and  silver/grey contrast. and if I can make a nice job of it like the one on display at the AGM in 2002, I'll be chuffed. 

 

If any of you knowledgeable lot can say for sure that the cylinder is on backwards, or any other tips or advice I'd appreciate it. Dad got really excited when I wanted to show off my Vantage in the garage, he was disappointed.

Forums

Lee Smallwood Thu, 18/07/2019

Ah ha, answered my own question regarding the cylinder, looked at the photos from previous threads, drive mech is on the wrong side throwing cylinder around the wrong way. 

Clive1997 Thu, 18/07/2019

Hi Lee 

You have acquired an excellent little mower, I see that I made comment on the 2015 thread when I quoted our club mower directory, however, 4 years on & more research I understand the Vantage was introduced early 1950 (not 1945 as thought).

Below is a small article I have, quality not great but gives a bit more info, its from April 1950, as one gets older you appreciate the 'mowers that can be carried in one hand' as stated in the article, rather than the big lumps we are often moving around.

Lee Smallwood Thu, 18/07/2019

Hi Clive, nice article, interesting regarding the canvas grass box, mine has two brackets and a steel box, I now know it's not original and must have been custom made at some point (unless later on was offered as an alternative box) cool.

Thanks for your response.

Lee Smallwood Tue, 13/08/2019

Little update, after squeezing time in the evenings after little one goes to sleep, it's in bits partaily painted, just cylinder and rear wheels to do.  Previous owner certainly went to town on the blue and red paint, but it's all lovely now. Rollers and handles are being made this weekend so I'm hoping to have it back together Sunday. Need to source a couple of nuts that I had to cut off. Other than that, painfully slow with limited tools,  need to ask santa for a media blaster, as paint and rust removal with  hand tools and sandpaper isn't fun, although quite rewarding when paint finish looks good. More to follow....

Lee Smallwood Mon, 02/09/2019

Bit of time since last post, this is where I'm at, 

 

As you can see, the cylinder is missing, had to get it sandblasted, but should be back this week, rollers and handles back, all nuts and bolts not in A1 condition are replaced. New stainless washers and split pins,

Finished article to follow. 

Lee Smallwood Sun, 15/09/2019

So apart from the grass box which I'll endeavour to complete over the next few evenings the little vantage is complete. 

 

From what is was I'm very pleased.

Chris G Mon, 16/09/2019

That is a lovely job Lee, wish pictures could be bigger for peeps like me with old PCs :-)