AI6YR BenFeb 7
Today's anti-doomscrolling activity... finally going to clean and lubricate the non-working Kitchenaid mixer. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
First part was removing the back plate. Already cleaned this part awhile back, it was so full of crusty flour you could have eaten it like a cracker, lol. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair #kitchenaid
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Next was removing the base. You need a BIG screwdriver for this. This was easy this time, but when I initially pulled this apart it was 20 minutes plus of struggle... the screws had started to corrode themselves in place, and everything was cemented in place with old flour. I had to use a flat head instead of a Philips here to unscrew these. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair #kitchenaid
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Next, the pin that holds the shaft in. Btw, remember to take a ton of pictures for any project like this. With intermediate steps. Don't lose any parts!!! I don't think an awl is the right tool for this. Btw. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair #Kitchenaid
Show threadAI6YR Ben
Parts collection is important. I usually use small plastic tubs from sour cream or whatever, but forgot and the back was handy. Randomly... "CATURDAY" around here among my projects should be short for "catastrophe". #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair #kitchenaidb
Feb 7 at 9:51pmWeb
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Okay, updates slow because of everything beyond here, and slow as I go out there and finish. It is OLD GREASE CITY in there. And a lot of it, mixed with some new grease another family member put in there thinking a fix would be just adding grease on top. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair #kitchenaid
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Simple Green. I did a 1:10 dilution, but it appeared this was so greasy perhaps that was not the right thing. I ended up with a roll of paper towels to attempt to get the large chunks of grease picked up (still working this step, but took a break for lunch to post these). #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #grease #kitchenaid #repair
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Did not take photos for most of the hour of degreasing. Didn't need to grease my phone. I suspect I may have to toss the kitty litter bucket being used for degreasing, as it is accumulating grease chunks. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair #greasy #kitchenaidb
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Misc greasy parts. This was a pita. There was hardened grease behind the gears and in the gears, which hopefully was the cause of the loss of power on this. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #grease #kitchenaid
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Not sure if this is rust or just gross crud. I suspect rust. Did my best to remove it... but the only part I was not able to clean entirely. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #kitchenaid
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
The rest, cleaned, and then new food safe grease applied. #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair #kitchenaid
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
Reassembled and running... will have to mix some bread dough in here to see if it is back to full operational readiness. #kitchenaid #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle #repair
Show threadwohaliFeb 7
@ai6yr nice work!
Show threadJanice in GAFeb 7
@ai6yr Nicely done.
Show threadFrom Robin with LoveFeb 7
@ai6yr 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Show threadMichael KohneFeb 7

@ai6yr Kitchenaids are often worth fixing - they last FOREVER.

There's at least one guy out there doing repair videos and selling refurb units and parts (https://www.mrmixer.store/)

Mr. Mixer

KitchenAid mixer repairs and products. Everything you need to work on your mixer, and more! Repairs for the Wichita and surrounding area.

Mr. Mixer
Show threadW6KMEFeb 7
@mhkohne @ai6yr They absolutely will last forever, they're like pre-war sewing machines. But they need service, at least once per decade. That's not much to ask.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@mhkohne @W6KME this was built in 1993. So about 30 some years before it needed this. It was a good 4 plus hours of work though, so some investment in project time required.
Show threadW6KMEFeb 8
@ai6yr @mhkohne The last one I did was from about 1970, no plastic anywhere, so I used a heat gun low setting on everything before cleaning it. That really helped.
Show threadW6KMEFeb 8
@ai6yr /me approves
Show threadJbrown, EsqFeb 8
@ai6yr good stuff. We've got one of those.
Show threadHippy SteveFeb 8

@ai6yr well done!

inre the awl not being the right tool... I find a punch kit to be infinitely useful for all manner of things. They have a $15 one in a roll-up bag at Harbor Freight. While there get some of their magnetic bowls $2 or trays for holding nuts and bolts when working on projects. And a pick set $5 - also infinitely useful for all sorts of things like taking apart and cleaning machinery.

Show threadDoomsdaysCWFeb 8
@ai6yr Heh... You know I've got to tag this for #SolarPunkSunday, right? A cool moment of synchronicity (and great documentation on your part!).
Show threadArt BrewFeb 8
@ai6yr get in! Great work. We have the same with the processor bit also. Is a great mixer, glad you got it working.
Show threadKinene⭐🐻Feb 8
@ai6yr Congratulations! I was able to pick up a similar model, in much better shape, at a yard sale for $30. It had some of the extra attachments and the owner's manual.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@c_merriweather SCORE!
Show threadKinene⭐🐻Feb 8
@ai6yr At the same house, (ongoing "estate sale"), I also bought, for $10, a set of 5 Stilson wrenches, from medium to "really honking big."
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@c_merriweather Wow, nice!!
Show threadMaxFeb 7
@ai6yr Looks great.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
@MaxUK Thanks!
Show threadBilly Bragg's Liquid AminosFeb 8
@ai6yr I can't believe Mastodon lets you post this explicit pornography here. Mercy.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@AminosBilly 🤪
Show threadFemme MalheureuseFeb 7
@ai6yr Looks like gross crud to me -- like cooked-on vegetable oil.
Show threadWandreCanadaFeb 7
@ai6yr That looks like a rusty worm gear to me. Especially if it's steel like it seems.
Show threadSteve's PlaceFeb 7
@ai6yr Ah. You've found the missing blood spatter from the crime scene in Ma's very quiet kitchen on that dark and fateful day when Ma's finger and her butcher knife met each other rather abruptly when little Timmy, hiding around a counter behind her, decided to play his very loud horn.
Show threadGreg WhiteheadFeb 7
@ai6yr FYI, this stuff is magic https://www.evapo-rust.com/
The Best Rust Remover | Quick & Easy with CRC's Evapo-Rust®

CRC's Evapo-Rust® Heavy Duty Rust Remover will remove rust to bare metal in minutes without scrubbing. It is also biodegradable and reusable!

CRC Evapo-Rust® the Best Rust Remover
Show thread14missionFeb 7
@ai6yr I know what I'd try to get stuff off of there, but probably you did all that and this the last, resistant bit.
Anyway my first thought is a Dremel with a wire brush attachment.
Does not look like what's left would be an issue, though. Those mixers have big honkin' motors.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@14mission I got much more off with some brushing with a toothbrush and a little steel wool, but not 100% clean.
Show threadW6KMEFeb 8
@ai6yr For future projects, I've got a tank of buffered acetic acid solution for stuff like this. Just drop it off for a day.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@W6KME Cool!
Show threadBeccaFeb 8

@W6KME @ai6yr can of coke (phosphoric acid) or boil in plain water to convert the red oxide to black*, and use a nylon brush wheel/carding wheel.

use a turkey fryer or a pot you don't care about 😅

tangentially related, my preference for restoring copper antiques nondestructively is electrolysis

*if you have an even layer of rust, this is the best way because this is the slow way of bluing steel. don't remove it! convert it.

Show threadRachelFeb 8
@bweller @ai6yr @W6KME The boiling in water thing is new to me

in the spring I have some old bikes that I want to restore if I can, I don't think there is too much rust on them.... the winter bike is another story..... 😬
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@rachel @W6KME @bweller There's no such thing as too much rust, says my restored Schwinn! (well... in most cases).
Show threadRachelFeb 8
@ai6yr @W6KME @bweller yeah the bikes I have are closer to the pic on the right but have some less shiny spots

one my neighbor gave me, the other I am holding onto for a friend while she finishes school

it would be neat to make both a bit shiny

both have friction shifters and are classic 10-speeds with steel frames, a classic 70s/80s Nishiki and a.... bridgestone? They are basically the opposite of my nice modern bike, a Salsa Journeyer, with fancier components than a entry level Aluminum bike normally has
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@rachel @W6KME @bweller If it's just minor rust, WD-40 and steel wool will do the trick! Or a wire brush and some WD-40.
Show threadRachelFeb 8
@ai6yr @W6KME @bweller huuuuuh, I'd be really worried about the steel wool ruining the shininess, I guess I gotta figure out how to polish things
Show threadDanFeb 8
@rachel @ai6yr quadruple ought is surprisingly gentle! i use it for burnishing wood finishes between coats and applying paste wax. especially with a lubricant like penetrant, oil, or auto-shop metal polish, it'll leave a great finish on stainless or aluminum.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@dank @rachel it's surprising how shiny steel wool makes things (the fine stuff... not the rough stuff).
Show threadandybrwnFeb 8
@ai6yr Looks like crud to me
Show threadTaran RampersadFeb 7
@ai6yr Ick. Hate that grease too. Once it gets in one spot, it multiplies. 🤣
Show threadW6KMEFeb 7

@ai6yr We're getting a bit more into my wheelhouse with this one...the best thing for removing that grease is going to be kerosene, aka diesel fuel. I've never found any other degreaser that really gets the job done. Follow that with WD40 if it's still filmy and oily, then brake cleaner and new grease.

Grease on gears, food grade oil on all other metal/metal friction surfaces.

I really like Triflow clear synthetic in Kitchenaids, modern sewing machines, etc.

Show threadRaineer  🦆Feb 7
@W6KME @ai6yr second for Triflow, that’s been magic for me
Show threadLed By Gilded FoolsFeb 7
@W6KME @ai6yr I'm a big fan of Biodiesel. It is what bike shops use in the parts cleaning tank.
Show thread14missionFeb 8
@W6KME @ai6yr Isn't diesel fuel thick and goopy and kerosene light and solventy? I thought kerosene == jet fuel.
Show threadW6KMEFeb 8
@14mission @ai6yr Correct, although diesel fuel is not like dealing with cooking oil or anything. It's runnier than milk, just a bit thicker than kerosene, but still useful for breaking down old crusty grease. Whatever you have on hand.
Show threadMaxFeb 7
@ai6yr that thing must be 50 years old. It'll be good for another 100
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 7
@MaxUK 1990's, I believe.
Show threadMaxFeb 7
@ai6yr My mother had a kenwood mix master. she purchased it in 1974, apparently at a huge cost. I recall my parents arguing about the cost of the thing. She is gone but the mix master still works. We couldn't find the bread dough hook.
Show thread0x575446, Fifth ColumnistFeb 7
@ai6yr Did you get the Simple Green to work? When I did my daughter's a couple years ago it didn't even touch the grease and I ended up having to clean both old grease AND Simple Green out of the gear casing.
Show threadT. J. BombadilFeb 8
@ai6yr There is supposed to be a large quantity of grease in there. I took apart one too, cleaned out all the grease, and then had to add grease back in.
Show threadAI6YR BenFeb 8
@c_dan4th Vast, vast amounts of grease, lol.
Show threadFaraiweFeb 7
@ai6yr magnetic trays are you friends.
Show threadStuart Longland (VK4MSL)Feb 7
@faraiwe @ai6yr Just don't sit your floppies on one.