The Lone Raider

[Retired Wrencher 5,930]

9 hours ago, AlexR said:

I think I got the hood to a point I don't think it beating on it more is going to help. 

 

Before

 

After

Alexa you kinda remind me of me when I was a younger man I did all the sanding and stripping paint. It’s a lot of work. And having come out right. I hope you enjoy the project. And the Ride when done!

Edited August 24 by Retired Wrencher

[ebinmaine 73,323]

22 hours ago, AlexR said:

Thanks!

Yeah I am struggling with the dilemma that this will be a tractor that is worked. I want it to look nice and it's all stripped down so if I am spraying paint on it, now is the time to get it smooth. But I also want to get it done lol 

 

I've had quite a few people ask me and/or Trina why we spend so much time restoring a tractor just to go get it scratched and dirty again. 

Her favorite response: 

"I know where to buy paint".   

 

These are not million dollar one of a kind machines. They're MEANT to work. 

IMHO Doing a great quality restoration is all about proper maintenance and stewardship of the piece.  

Getting it back to it's intended use is the entire mission.   

 

[Retired Wrencher 5,930]

34 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I've had quite a few people ask me and/or Trina why we spend so much time restoring a tractor just to go get it scratched and dirty again. 

Her favorite response: 

"I know where to buy paint".   

 

These are not million dollar one of a kind machines. They're MEANT to work. 

IMHO Doing a great quality restoration is all about proper maintenance and stewardship of the piece.  

Getting it back to it's intended use is the entire mission.   

 

You and Trina make it your own. Which is good not the same old same old stuff.

[AlexR 2,113]

Thanks for the positivity guys I appreciate it!! 

 

I am definitely spending more time on this hood,

then I thought I would.

But I also realize its the focal point of these tractors, it's also what has the most paint showing. 

 

So today got all of the paint stripped off, cleaned it really good and got some bondo on it.

It's been a little while since I did bondo last, so it might take a little more sanding, but it's also hard to get it on the small curved areas as well.  

 

Shiny hood!!! I was slightly tempted to clear coat it and leave it as is, lol! 

 

 

 

 

[AlexR 2,113]

I'm making a lot of posts and not much progress lol

Got it sanded down. Gotta fill hopefully just one more time.

 

[AlexR 2,113]

Got some sandable primer on the hood. 

After I get it sanded down and a coat of regular primer it will get painted to cure for a while so it will be ready for decals when I get to that point. 

 

 

 

[AlexR 2,113]

Thanks to @ebinmaine got a "new" carb body still needs more cleanup I haven't ran it in the ultrasonic cleaner yet either. The shafts are also still pretty tight. 

 

 

[Pullstart 67,222]

On 8/23/2025 at 2:24 PM, AlexR said:

Thanks!

Yeah I am struggling with the dilemma that this will be a tractor that is worked. I want it to look nice and it's all stripped down so if I am spraying paint on it, now is the time to get it smooth. But I also want to get it done lol 

Good thing @Achto never works his restorations, right @WHX?? 

[Achto 29,501]

On 8/29/2025 at 3:17 PM, AlexR said:

Got some sandable primer on the hood. 

After I get it sanded down and a coat of regular primer it will get painted to cure for a while so it will be ready for decals when I get to that point. 

 

Should be no reason to re-prime it. Wet sand it with 400grit and spray your paint.

[Achto 29,501]

16 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Good thing @Achto never works his restorations

 

Yep, my Raider was in the dirt 2 weeks after final assembly. 

Edited Thursday at 12:01 PM by Achto

[WHX?? 52,083]

On 8/24/2025 at 11:48 AM, ebinmaine said:

spend so much time restoring a tractor just to go get it scratched and dirty again. 

 

4 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Good thing @Achto never works his restorations, right @WHX?? 

Right?!?!?

The first time Dan plowed with his '68 12 in 2017 it was a real POS. Wires hanging everywhere ... didn't charge ... crap falling off.  But he laid the boots to it anyway ... Fact it  was so bad he finally parked it.

 

That next winter he did his magic built his own stack ... paint ... working hydraulics ...spit & polish. Even the plow looked like it just came from Brinly. Some where in here there is a thread on it. 

 

Brings it to plow day 2018 I says you aint's a gonna stick that in the dirt are ya??? 

 

Silly me ... 

 

Who's that clown in the back stuck?!?!?  That was brutal plowing that year! 

Edited Thursday at 04:38 PM by WHX??

[WHX?? 52,083]

You get the package yet Alex? 

[AlexR 2,113]

39 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

You get the package yet Alex? 

 

Not yet USPS is doing its thing haha

[WHX?? 52,083]

So much for last Tuesday ... 

I suppose the holiday in there ... 

[AlexR 2,113]

2 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

So much for last Tuesday ... 

I suppose the holiday in there ... 

Eb sent out the carb from Maine same day you send that out and his got to me Tuesday 

As long as it eventually shows up it's all good. 

[kpinnc 14,822]

5 hours ago, Achto said:

Yep, my Raider was in the dirt 2 weeks after final assembly.

 

I might add- one of the best examples of a Raider restoration! 

 

I've kept several pics of that tractor for reference. Looks sharp! 

[AlexR 2,113]

13 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

I might add- one of the best examples of a Raider restoration! 

 

I've kept several pics of that tractor for reference. Looks sharp! 

I agree! I'm probably making more effort then I might otherwise, because of his tractor. 

[ebinmaine 73,323]

4 hours ago, AlexR said:

I agree! I'm probably making more effort then I might otherwise, because of his tractor. 

 

Ain't nuttin' wrong with that! 

[AlexR 2,113]

Not really happy with this, thought I had it smoother then this. I think it will take some more sanding, the rest of the hood looks pretty good. 

 

[AlexR 2,113]

Thanks to @WHX?? I got a steering shaft that will work with just cutting 1/4" off and drilling a new hole. And the PTO bracket is so much better!!! 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 28,822]

Make sure you clean off the cheese curd jits... 

[ebinmaine 73,323]

4 hours ago, AlexR said:

cutting 1/4" off

 

Likely you could leave it alone. Just have the steering wheel  1/4" higher. 

[AlexR 2,113]

My 5 year old drew me a picture of me on a tractor. 

[rjg854 12,317]

I

11 minutes ago, AlexR said:

My 5 year old drew me a picture of me on a tractor. 

That's great, but I'm not sure if artist is in his future.  

[SylvanLakeWH 28,822]

Two things:

 

1) Kid knows the correct tractor color. 

2) Kid does not know correct color for Dad...