Windlass "rebuilding"

[freespirit]

Has anyone tackled taking apart and putting their windlass back together? I have a manual windlass that has been frozen from salt water and lack of use. I have no documentation on it, so don't know how easy or difficult this project will be. Any advice would be appreciated.

[warmrain]

I have done this to a Nilsson H-700. It is a horizontal manual with an alloy case. The biggest danger is damaging the case or breaking a stainles screw off. Best to have professional help with removing the screws if they are not coming out easily.

All bronze windlass are much easier.

The bronze internals or the frozen sub assemblies can be soaked in kerosene and then brushed with a soft metal (not steel or stainless) or bristle brush.

It's the same as rebuilding a winch.

[ken_w]

Get yourself a can of PB Blaster and spray everything you can get to the day before you try to take it apart. It's by far the best penetrating oil/corrosion breaker I've found.

Ken