[mike912e]

Hey, a second career ! What a thought . Retire after working fifty years and start another career working ??? years . I have so many honeydos on my list now that I'm going to have to live to be 150 years old just to get them all done ! I would love to do nothing but restore old Cub Cadets but I doubt that customers could afford what I would have to charge . Of course if a decent restoration costs $1500 dollars it would still be cheaper than the cost of a new tractor and would be twice the quality of a new tractor . I doubt that you will be seeing too many model year 2000 tractors in another fourty years like you do with the 1960/70 models we play with these days .

 

[boyscout862]

Hey, a second career ! What a thought . Retire after working fifty years and start another career working ??? years . I have so many honeydos on my list now that I'm going to have to live to be 150 years old just to get them all done ! I would love to do nothing but restore old Cub Cadets but I doubt that customers could afford what I would have to charge . Of course if a decent restoration costs $1500 dollars it would still be cheaper than the cost of a new tractor and would be twice the quality of a new tractor . I doubt that you will be seeing too many model year 2000 tractors in another fourty years like you do with the 1960/70 models we play with these days .

So True.

 

[johndeereelfman]

I have so many honeydos on my list now that I'm going to have to live to be 150 years old just to get them all done !

Yeh Mike, I know where you're coming from. I started writing down all the honeydo's on single pieces of toilet paper to help keep track of them all. When I last checked, I believe I was up to eight rolls.

Nice looking tag, and well done on the restore! Really looks good. Well, for a Cub anyway. :smilewink:

 

[backwoods]

that has turned out amazing so far i wish i had the time to restore my cub. the id tag looks perfect

 

[Salatino]

I agree, that tag looks perfect! lol I was wondering myself where you bought that. Thats def. going to stand out and get attention. That cub looks sharp! I've always wanted to powder coat mine. Hopefully I can start workin on my 100 again soon as work pics back up.

 

[IamSherwood]

To your original question, absolutely not. You've done such a great job on the rest

of the Cub, it deserves these kind of finishing touches. Will you be using spiral

rivets to secure it?

 

[mike912e]

To your original question, absolutely not. You've done such a great job on the rest

of the Cub, it deserves these kind of finishing touches. Will you be using spiral

rivets to secure it?

The original factory fastener is a tiny three eared rivet looking thing that probably isn't produced anymore . I would say that a good replacement would be an 1/8" diameter aluminum pop rivet . The finished exterior installation would mimic the orignal in appearance and hold quite well but still be replaceable should the need arise . One word of caution : use the shortest length rivet they make just be to sure it clears any object inside the motor shroud, especially rotating objects !

 

[twostep]

The tag looks great.

Do you have a thread for the the GT restoration?

 

[mike912e]

The tag looks great.

Do you have a thread for the the GT restoration?

No . In fact I don't know how to start one . It might be a good thing as I can share my experiences with the rest of those interested in doing this kind of restoration . I'm going to start a restoration on my 124 next fall, as soon as I'm done with the 72 I'm doing now . It would give everyone a chance to see how I do mine ( not that it's any better than anyone elses ) . I'm currently waiting until I have the 42" mower deck sheetmetal work done and take it and some other pieces up to the powdercoaters . He was supposed to get an exact matching powder for the older Cubs, saving me the expense . I have located a supplier who will sell me one pound at a time if I need it and the color matches perfectly . I'm also looking at purchasing some real powdercoating masking tape . Regular masking tape does the job but doesn't tolerate the 400 degree over temperature very well .

 

[Tennblue59]

I think the new tag looks GREAT!!!

I look at restorations as an expression of the artist (and the quality of some of the restorations I have seen on here DO aproach the term "art"). 95% of the time it is IMPOSSIBLE to restore an item to "as-new" condition using EOM materials - to make it JUST-LIKE it came from the factory. So how effectively you can use modern tools, supplies and reproductions defines the restorer's skill!

To make a true concours type resto, the better step would be to clean up the original plate as best as possible and leave it like that. And I have great respect and admiration for those types of restorations. But to do that type of job, you have to start with a very good "carcass". And spend a lot of time and money finding OEM parts in good shape...

Most of the time, our "starting points" aren't good enough to do concours restoration, and repros and recreations are the much better choice for most of us to bring an old machine back to life. I think these restorations to "like new, but better using modern parts" are harder to do and make authentic looking.

Powdercoat is a good example. In many places, powdercoat is a MUCH better choice than paint - tougher and lasts longer. Not OEM, but a better choice. Same way some folks replace NLA engines with modern variants that are more powerful and fuel efficient.

Wow, didn't mean to type that much!!! Great job on the plate and the tractor!!!

 

[mike912e]

I think the new tag looks GREAT!!!

I look at restorations as an expression of the artist (and the quality of some of the restorations I have seen on here DO aproach the term "art"). 95% of the time it is IMPOSSIBLE to restore an item to "as-new" condition using EOM materials - to make it JUST-LIKE it came from the factory. So how effectively you can use modern tools, supplies and reproductions defines the restorer's skill!

To make a true concours type resto, the better step would be to clean up the original plate as best as possible and leave it like that. And I have great respect and admiration for those types of restorations. But to do that type of job, you have to start with a very good "carcass". And spend a lot of time and money finding OEM parts in good shape...

Most of the time, our "starting points" aren't good enough to do concours restoration, and repros and recreations are the much better choice for most of us to bring an old machine back to life. I think these restorations to "like new, but better using modern parts" are harder to do and make authentic looking.

Powdercoat is a good example. In many places, powdercoat is a MUCH better choice than paint - tougher and lasts longer. Not OEM, but a better choice. Same way some folks replace NLA engines with modern variants that are more powerful and fuel efficient.

Wow, didn't mean to type that much!!! Great job on the plate and the tractor!!!

I completely agree ! I left the rust pitting in the hood, which can be seen through the powdercoat . It almost looks like orangepeeling in paint . To me it retains the " character" of the tractor as found . Mine sat outside, uncovered for ten years so I felt I needed to tell that part of this tractor's life . Man this sure is fun . Glad I decided to buy that first Cub in 2001, a 2206 .

 

[mike912e]

Update ! The QA-36 snowthrower is finally done . There's no paint on it, it's all powdercoat . New auger bearings ( email me for source and part number, if interested ), new chain, completely dissassembled , including 90 degree gearbox . Gearbox bearings and seals were good so only cleaning, reassembled and greased . Made my own cover gasket as it was cheaper than buying a new one . I still have to fit it to the tractor to run the chute rod and the lift rod and run the whole thing and adjust as required . The 42 inch mower deck is also almost complete . I still have to get the new shroud around the blades powdercoated and reinstall it . The last piece will be the new front roller which is being turned out of red oak .

Note: the first four pics are after and the last four are before pics .

Thanks to everyone's kind words of encouragement and advise .

 

[johndeereelfman]

Wow Mike! That blower looks great! :thumbs: Maybe I won't meet you on Friday, as my tractors won't be able to compete with your quality of finished. Just kidding, can't wait to see you my firend! :smilewink:

 

[MH81]

Only you can determine how far is going too far.

This is the exact thing I thought.. I think it's a marvelous job you've done so far and the extra touches will give it a better than new look.

 

[mike912e]

I am looking forward to starting on my 124 Cub later this year . Based on what I've learned doing my model 72, I hope the 124 will be even better . I will be able to powdercoat even more parts now that I'm figuring out how to do it . My powdercoater will work with me as I've allready spoken to him about how to get an even better product . When I have the mower deck done I'll post pics of it . I still have to shorten the driveshaft on the 72 as I was forunate enough to purchase a creeper gear at a great price .

Can anyone answer a question for me ? Why add a rear PTO ? Does it interfere with the three point linkage ? What attachments available would require a rear PTO ? I have a guess or two , but being new at this I'll rely on you guys for the answers .

Thanks ahead of time for all your help .

Mike

 

[mike912e]

Update ! With a little help from my nephew I was able to get the wiring sorted and fired the old Cub up for the first time in fourty years ! And no smoke ! I still need to go over all of it an check for any missed fasteners that might still be loose . The brake/clutch linkage needs adjusted and the governor/throttle linkage as well . Thanks to all who have encouraged me . The first show wil be the 18th of this month . I'll provide pics and feedback afterwords . I've included pics of three of the four Cubs : 2206 on the left, 104 in the center and the newly finished 72 on the right .

 

[KennyP]

Glad to hear of success on your part. Great pics you shared, too!

 

[UncleWillie]

Wow that is beautiful. have you thought about clear coating the plate to give it more protection?

 

[MH81]

Very, very nice. Glad to hear it all came together for you.

 

[mike912e]

Wow that is beautiful. have you thought about clear coating the plate to give it more protection?

Great suggestion . I'm awaiting the first plate back from the engravers . I'm trying that over hand stamping . I asked that they try to match the size and font of the original numbers/letters . Then, depending on the outcome I might put a coat of clear finish over it . I'll keep everyone posted .