Broke my tool rest today

swampgator · Post by **swampgator** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:53 pm

Can it be welded?:eek:

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:16 pm

swampgator wrote:Can it be welded?:eek:

There are a number of ways that it could be "repaired" but I wouldn't... It is too easy to replace and next time might get dangerous because it might not fail completely due to the weld and really bind things up.
That type of break is usually from a fracture in the cast iron that has been slowly forming for some time. Usually caused from a long history of minor flexing, not from such things as dropping. The fracture forms at microscopic levels over time then just lets go at some point. It's quite common on farm equipment.
The old term for such fractures was "crystallization" but I believe that another term is more common now.

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stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Sun Dec 16, 2012 3:41 pm

I wondered about welding it, but I didn't think I would be able to. it is right at the top agsinst the rest itself. So I didn't think it owuld be a good idea.

nathan

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 3:30 pm

Tool rests take a heck of a beating especially if turning bowls or larger pieces.

Entirely possible that it had micro fractures forming over a long period of time (allowing corrosion to form and worsening the situation) and it finally let go. Best bet is to get a replacement.