broken vice

[busdennis]

this is what happens when you abuise tools, was using the vice as a press

anyway my little mig wont be upto the job so is it worth getting it repaired? can it be repaired? how much would you think it would cost to get it repaired?

thanks inadvance

 

[the snooper]

yeah it can be repaired i had one done years ago although it didnt cost anything to get it done but it was strong afterwards as i used it to push bearings in and out

 

[Bsmith]

Yes I have welded 2 of these Record vices, broken almost in the same place as the one in the picture. O/A with cast iron rods and flux. They were a success after repair and so far as I know still in use. I don't know what the repairs cost as I was working for a company and they had all the required gear.

 

[busdennis]

local engineering firm wont touch it, stating they always get returned and its not worth the hassel, also its not economical as the price of welding rods they would use would mahe a quote for the job look expensive compaired to buinga another, either new or second hand

 

[the snooper]

they are talking rubbish they just dont want to do it
do you have an ark welder if so go and get a few rods and do it your self

 

[Madfly60]

Is that a No 6?

I've seen 4/5 welded ones that have then subsequently failed. If it is a 6 I have a spare dynamic jaw for it that should fit.

 

[ronan]

I have one under the bench broken in exactly the same place , do record do spares ?

 

[tigler]

Yes but the price would shock you !! I wanted a new handle for a 6" QR vice a few years back but it was only available with the lead screw as an assembly, from memory it was about £175 !! I straightened the bent one !

 

[rich r]

I'd give welding it a go - after all, it won't be any more useless to you than it is at the moment.

Probably will need arc though, rather than mig. Maybe even just bevel the edges and go at it with E6013 rods and see what happens...

 

[tigler]

It's completely feasible to repair that vice. In one of my old books there's a company advertising to repair crankshaft's and engine blocks with 'scientific' techniques !
There's a pic of a crank of something big, it's about 5ft long, broken through a web !
Then there is an after pic of the repaired crank with a statement that it's fully guaranteed ! This is an old book too, there wouldn't have been any advanced welding equipment then so it's a fair bet it was done with stick !

 

[migmag]

I also have a snapped vice which I have already replaced, however my understanding of welding cast is that of shrinkage and cracking?

If so can you not heat the two parts of the job until they are cherry red then weld it then allow it to cool slowly then it would cool / contract at the same rate???

 

[Bsmith]

I'd give welding it a go - after all, it won't be any more useless to you than it is at the moment.

Probably will need arc though, rather than mig. Maybe even just bevel the edges and go at it with E6013 rods and see what happens...

Sorry rich r, E6013s no good for this job, would snap right at the side of the weld when any pressure was applied. Might be possible if broken edges were beveled, preheated and welded with cast iron arc rods then allowed to cool slowly in ash or dry sand, but he would need quite a few cast iron rods and I can imagine them being around £2 each by now.

I think someone with oxy/acet and cast iron rods + flux cheapest and successful repair.

 

[rich r]

I was just thinking it'd be worth a shot with whatever's to hand rather than it sitting broken. I know 6013s are a terrible choice for cast, but it might show that a repair is feasible. Then get the correct rods and do it properly later.

 

[shenion]

I was just thinking it'd be worth a shot with whatever's to hand rather than it sitting broken. I know 6013s are a terrible choice for cast, but it might show that a repair is feasible. Then get the correct rods and do it properly later.

Why do it with something you know will fail?

I did my vice with 7018 rods. Repaired a broken draw nut mount. Failed a few months later. Looked at the welds and they were all crystallized due to carbon dilution.

Redid with some NiFe rods and has been fine for years.

 

[Bsmith]

I was just thinking it'd be worth a shot with whatever's to hand rather than it sitting broken. I know 6013s are a terrible choice for cast, but it might show that a repair is feasible. Then get the correct rods and do it properly later.

Would be as well to use super glue and apologies rich r, I don't like condeming other peoples advice.