Future Project. 1956 Model 17 - 1M15 ?

[Skulldigger]

Picked this up this week for a project light. I want to totally restore it and make it a display light. I believe it is a 1956. Definitely an early 6v model. Old style tag, but there were two reason's I bought it. One, the serial number. I've never seen an 1M15 serial number. What do you think Stansdds or Tsquale? Did I grab another military light? For those who may not be familiar, Model 17's are XX16. The first number 1=6v. Not sure what the M is.

The base is in decent shape with only a few dents, that should be easy to take out. The dome is not a Federal, but is a "Saf-T-Ray 357-1". Ever heard of that ??




The bulbs are not secured in the mounts. The clips are there, somebody was just lazy.



I altered the contrast over the SN to make it easier to see.


This setup is different than the later model 17s. This is identical in most ways to my Military 17 setup which is a 1957. The power for the lights is inside this box, where the later ones are on the outside where that screw comes out.




I love a mystery and I enjoy a challenge. Looking forward to making this look new.

 

[dmathieu]

I think the dome is a Dominion Automotive dome.

 

[toon80]

+1. Definitely Dominion Automotive dome. I have many of them and they indeed are marked 357 SAF-T-RAY .

 

[Skulldigger]

OK.. this is a Saf-T-Ray 357 light

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pol...399522?hash=item4d620b73e2:g:qz4AAOSwTZtZoKFn

 

[dmathieu]

Yup, and the dome was interchangeable with the older version Beacon Ray.

 

[cmb56]

+1. Definitely Dominion Automotive dome. I have many of them and they indeed are marked 357 SAF-T-RAY .

My own 357 has not the Safe-T-Ray on the name tag or lens.

Michael

 

[jph2]

Nice find; looking forward to seeing her once you've worked your magic.

 

[Scoot163]

+1! Your drought is definitely over!

 

[Skulldigger]

+1! Your drought is definitely over!

Ha. Yea it ended with a bang ! Which is the sound of my wallet slamming shut empty ! Actually I've gotten some pretty good deals. This one was on $39, which was the second reason I bought it... that I didn't mention above.

 

[kerry4951]

That one just missed the Federal Enterprise badge

 

[Skulldigger]

Well the restore has started. I concentrated on the inside and getting it up and running. Many inside parts were either not connected or missing. A little clean up and it runs like a top ! I am going to have to re-chrome the base and the dome needs to be polished, but I am happy to see it run. I'm also working on restoring the badge.



There were no gaskets in it so it had been leaking water for many years.


6 volt motor



Interesting mark on the motor housing.



Cleaned up and new coating. This one has a plate that sits on top of the main plate and has the bearing or spacer for the rotating shaft.




Going back together




It runs very smooth and quiet. I thas a very good speed.



Looking forward to getting the base re-chromed and the badge on, but that may be several months before it happens. Just glad to save another piece of light history.

 

[coop359]

What is the new coating you did? Do you do it yourself?

 

[Skulldigger]

What is the new coating you did? Do you do it yourself?

It's a poor mans yellow zinc plating. Lol.. it's Valspar Brilliant Gold Metalic Paint applied in a very light coat. It looks close to the same and protects the metal. This plate was so rusted I used a brass brush in my drill press to clean it up. It removed all of the zinc coating. Really don't want to put the expense and trouble into having it recoated and it didn't look good with the bare metal along with the rust patterns.

 

[toon80]

First I gotta say great job!!

My own 357 has not the Safe-T-Ray on the name tag or lens."

Name tags of the 6 or 7 I own all say "dominion auto" or "dominion automotive". As for the lens, they either say the Safe-T-Ray thing or" dominion automotive " + the part number code for the newer domes.

Michael

 

[toon80]

Yup, and the dome was interchangeable with the older version Beacon Ray.

I heard the opposite some years back. That dominion and federal signal domes would not swap. I doubted it since the bases seems to be identical, along with motor assemblies of the older models. The only round dome of fedsig I have is one from a clear visibeam. What dimensions are the older fedsig domes ? Could be handy

Back to topic, Sorry if this was a hi-jack...

 

[Skulldigger]

What dimensions are the older fedsig domes ? Could be handy

The older domes are 8-1/8, the newer 8-3/8.

 

[dmathieu]

I used a dominion dome on an early Beacon Ray, and it fit perfectly.

 

[Skulldigger]

This Saf-T-Ray 357-1 dome is 8", just 1/8" less than a Fed dome, but it fits perfectly on the older Model 17's. This light did come from Canada.

 

[Skulldigger]

Put new gaskets in, polished up the chrome and repainted the badge and it came out great. I thought, at first, I would need to re-chrome it, but I think I'm good the way it is. A few battle scars tell stories. 1956 Federal Model 17.

 

[Scoot163]

Lookin' good! Nice save.

 

[dmathieu]

These great lights seem to last forever.

 

[Skulldigger]

These great lights seem to last forever.

This is one of my oldest, and it's probably the most quit one I have. Runs like it's brand new. 6 volt at that.

 

[dmathieu]

Same with my ROTA-BEAMS, the oldest are the quietest. Better quality motors and gearing used in those days.

 

[coop359]

I have to ask. How did you repaint the badge. It looks new. Great job. Would love to see your whole collection.

 

[Skulldigger]

I have to ask. How did you repaint the badge. It looks new. Great job. Would love to see your whole collection.

I spray painted the badge and let it dry overnight. Then took a razor blade and flat scrapped the paint off the high points. Took me two tries but it does pretty good.

Here is my collection. It is messy right now as it evolved around my desk. I am actually in the process of replacing the desk with some shelves so I can accommodate more of what I have and make it look nicer.

 

[dmathieu]

NICE!!

 

[coop359]

Great collection. I like the variety of beacons. Nice high ceilings for more lights

 

[jph2]

You did a great job with that light! And shared a couple of cool tips along the way! This light is a great addition for your collection and it's nice to see it with all the others. Well done with both the light and your collection.

 

[Skulldigger]

I have to ask. How did you repaint the badge. It looks new. Great job.

For more of a discussion on the badge restoring look at his older post.

https://elightbars.org/forums/threads/federal-tag-restore.74706/#post-587871