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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Qualcast Punch Auto 35 - Custom rebuild - South Africa

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Greetings

I recently picked up a Qualcast Punch Auto 35 Electric mower.

It was working 100% when I picked it up (just needs to be sharpened). It was in decent shape and original paint was mostly in tact BUT I have been itching to try my hand at a little DIY spray project no matter the "quality" concerns that may result from my attempt (mt first attempt mind you). And with us being in Lockdown here in South Africa, and me WFH I decided this is the perfect time to try my hand at this.
 

Join me on my journey.

 

toRRa Thu, 28/01/2021

And so it begins...

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toRRa Thu, 28/01/2021

As it stands, this is where I am at:

All parts have been sanded/primed and painted.

All mechanical parts/nuts/bolts/chains/sprockets have been completely degreased and all traces of any rust has been removed.

All electrical components cleaned and reassembled as far as my abilities allow.

Blades currently being sharpened.

 

DJD Fri, 29/01/2021

I admire your effort and time spent on an electric model. This is one machine where you can turn the bottom blade upside down to gain a new cutting edge.

toRRa Fri, 29/01/2021

My lawn is very small, electric makes much more sense than petrol.
Essentially a petrol mower would be a waste.

Who knows, maybe one day there will be a way to retro fit a battery powered unit to this mower, now that would be awesome. These machines are built to last, so who knows what the future holds for it.

 

With regards to flipping the blade, I did not consider this, thank you for this tip.

Messorestore Fri, 29/01/2021

Hi, absolutely brilliant. Lovely to see an electric mower being restored. Very wise decision as petrol and diesel will be for the bin not far down the road. The climate catastrophe has caused the production of new Petrol and Diesel engines to be banned in the UK from 2030. Not very long ! With current technology the only machines available will be either push or electric. 
I collect mainly push mowers but own a JP Super electric, I include photos of it. Well done to you !

toRRa Fri, 29/01/2021

@Messorestore, that machine looks awesome. What year is it?

 

Regarding the electric motor, this motor still works like the day it was bought (plenty of brush life left), smooth and instant with a nice little variable speed control board and the ability to engage/disengage powering the rear roller. It's only a 340w motor but it's plenty. My thinking is if the motor ever dies, I'll simply install a modern motor of the time whether it be wired or battery powered (which will be decided when the time comes).

PS. The motor is manufactured in Stowmarket, England by Atco.

Messorestore Fri, 29/01/2021

The JP Super Electric was made between 1948 and 1958. Mine is one of the earliest known surviving dating to the first month of production in 1948. Excellent idea to keep yours going with a replacement motor if it comes to that. 

wristpin Fri, 29/01/2021

Who knows, maybe one day there will be a way to retro fit a battery powered unit to this mower, now that would be awesome. These machines are built to last, so who knows what the future holds for it.

All the more reason for not "bastardising" it with incorrect bearings for the sake of a bit of postage from the UK where all the correct original parts are still available for a fraction of the cost of new motors or battery conversions etc.

Cone RH T41001

Cone LH T40972

Race L02968

Cup L02969

Seal T40266

Possible supplier Jon Cruse, Hailsham Mower Centre.  https://www.themowercentrehailsham.com/

Will Fri, 29/01/2021

Wow that looks to be a really fine effort on the Qualcast!! Looking forward to seeing it back together.

Also loving that JP Messorestore !

 

toRRa Wed, 03/02/2021

Blades were sharpened. Mower assembled. Thinking of replacing the front roller with a metal bar/steel roller in future. For now, I am satisfied.

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DJD Wed, 03/02/2021

A lovely paint job, but I don't understand why you changed the colours? I was fully expecting you to resort to the correct basic ones eventually. Having the cylinder red is to my mind correct, as in red for danger of any moving part that can cause injury, but it's your machine and it's up to you.

Morrison made red mowers of the cylinder type that never really caught on or inspired in the UK, maybe if they'd been green instead? Who knows.

Again, I admire your determination and effort on an oft forgotten model. I used to look after a few of these in my time and do have the original trade workshop parts manuals still.

Wooden rollers might look slightly out of kilter, but could add some quality.

toRRa Thu, 04/02/2021

@DJD Thanks for your input!

Regarding the colour, I'm going to be honest and say I literally do not care to keep it close to original. This was purely a project for my enjoyment. On that note, however, the most popular cylinder mower in South Africa is in fact red (see pic below). Personally I like the red look but thought I'd spice it up by painting the internal sections black (also allows visual seperation for the blade assembly).

Turned out better than I expected and I'm very satisfied with my 1st attempt at something like this.

 

Here is a pic of a South African manufactured mower that I am referring to.

 

Messorestore Fri, 05/02/2021

Wow. I love it ! Take no notice of comments about the colour. I think like you, it's the mower and quality of the hard work you have done that counts. It should give you years of green energy service. You must be very proud - well done. I think the metal roller is an excellent idea if you can get the correct diameter - more durable. A straight ten out of ten from me !

Clive1962 Sat, 06/02/2021

For me what is interesting in the colour is that it now looks so like the colour scheme of the mowers that I saw on the Wolf Garten stand at GLEE one year.   I  mentioned them in a posting I made a while back when I was in search of the real origin/identity of the mowers.  Which I felt might have had a South African connection.?  They were very much a copy of the petrol powered Super Punch and may have only been prototypes to test the water...I never saw them in the catalogues, I left the mower world at that time, but still remain fascinated to find the origin.

 

C.