Part replacement

[NeilR]

Hi everyone - recently acquired a used lathe and while moving it, despite my best efforts, managed to break a cast iron hinge. I don’t think it’s repairable so wondering if anyone knows of someone who can fabricate a replacement? Have a temporary on there currently made from oak but not sure that’s what I want long term. Thanks!

 

[pop-pop]

Looks like it is made of cast iron that can be easily brazed by a welder?

 

[NeilR]

Already had one look at it and he wasn’t optimistic bc it’s only about an eighth of an inch of material on either side where it broke. Should I ask somebody else?

 

[ChemE75]

Already had one look at it and he wasn’t optimistic bc it’s only about an eighth of an inch of material on either side where it broke. Should I ask somebody else?

Is there space for a strip to be tacked on to each outer side to reinforce the brazed cracked area? Or over the face which you could drill out. Depending on weight or vibration, epoxy may hold - my old benchtop drill press column collar for the table cracked. I took a shot at an epoxy repair and I was surprised it held great, surface area was more than your hinge though. Anyway, it was still holding fine 20+ yrs later.

 

[old and in the way]

Neil:

Perhaps in addition to epoxying the hinge itself back together, you could also epoxy the repaired hinge to whatever the hinge bolts on to, and use the bolts to provide additional holding power, perhaps epoxying a large washer that spans both sides of the broken hinge under the bolt. I can't imagine that the hinge would need to be removed, unless it broke again.

FWIW. YMMV. Good luck.
Tone

 

[ChemE75]

Neil:

Perhaps in addition to epoxying the hinge itself back together, you could also epoxy the repaired hinge to whatever the hinge bolts on to, and use the bolts to provide additional holding power, perhaps epoxying a large washer that spans both sides of the broken hinge under the bolt. I can't imagine that the hinge would need to be removed, unless it broke again.

FWIW. YMMV. Good luck.
Tone

Agree, small surface areas usually need reinforcement. I used to have fiberglass cloth remnants from epoxying our cedar strip canoe. I’d occasionally use some to wrap epoxy repairs that needed reinforcing. But only works where space allows for the wrap. I had a handle a few yrs back that needed reinforcing and I no longer had any fiberglass. I used an old roll of gauze. It actually worked well.

 

[Dave Richards]

Hi everyone - recently acquired a used lathe and while moving it, despite my best efforts, managed to break a cast iron hinge. I don’t think it’s repairable so wondering if anyone knows of someone who can fabricate a replacement? Have a temporary on there currently made from oak but not sure that’s what I want long term. Thanks!

I wonder what a machined version of that might cost from a supplier like Send Cut Send. Looks like a fairly easy part to create the required drawings for. If you gave me a sketch with accurate dimensions I bet I could make the files you need to send off.

Edit to add: I had made a sample file based on rough dimensions pulled from your photos. I get the impression my suggestion is probably not useful, though, so I removed the image.

 

[JNCarr]

I wonder what a machined version of that might cost from a supplier like Send Cut Send. Looks like a fairly easy part to create the required drawings for. If you gave me a sketch with accurate dimensions I bet I could make the files you need to send off.

Edit to add: I eyeballed a thing from your pictures and made a CAD file to upload to Send Cut Send. It doesn't have the screw holes but those ought to be easy enough to add when you have the part in your hands.

Ive used sendcutsend many times and they are great - but as a reminder they have a minimum $39/order. I usually wind up designing additional stuff just to meet the minimum.

 

[mdbuntyn]

What purpose does it serve on the lathe, and have you looked for a replacement part?

 

[NeilR]

What purpose does it serve on the lathe, and have you looked for a replacement part?

It’s one of two that secures the lid on top of the headstock. It’s an old General lathe and it seems parts are pretty much nonexistent

 

[NeilR]

I wonder what a machined version of that might cost from a supplier like Send Cut Send. Looks like a fairly easy part to create the required drawings for. If you gave me a sketch with accurate dimensions I bet I could make the files you need to send off.

Edit to add: I had made a sample file based on rough dimensions pulled from your photos. I get the impression my suggestion is probably not useful, though, so I removed the image.

Thanks so much for this info, Dave. I might be in touch.

 

[FredP]

Ace hardware sells pivot gate hinges. Depending on size, can't tell from pictures, it might be the solution.

 

[Mike Davis]

What are the rough dimensions?
I would probably try to cut that out of mild steel bar stock. But then, I have more patience than money.

 

[ChemE75]

Ace hardware sells pivot gate hinges. Depending on size, can't tell from pictures, it might be the solution.

Come to think of it, I’ve seen glass shower doors with same style pivot hinges. I thought I had to replace one at previous house but patient cleaning and dry lube got it working smoothly again. New ones were not easy to find but I saw several styles, some I saw are stainless steel as well. But if it’s just the cover, I’d try epoxy first. Not sure devcon brand is still available but they had a steel repair version that was the very best.

 

[NeilR]

I wonder what a machined version of that might cost from a supplier like Send Cut Send. Looks like a fairly easy part to create the required drawings for. If you gave me a sketch with accurate dimensions I bet I could make the files you need to send off.

Edit to add: I had made a sample file based on rough dimensions pulled from your photos. I get the impression my suggestion is probably not useful, though, so I removed the image.

I wonder what a machined version of that might cost from a supplier like Send Cut Send. Looks like a fairly easy part to create the required drawings for. If you gave me a sketch with accurate dimensions I bet I could make the files you need to send off.

Edit to add: I had made a sample file based on rough dimensions pulled from your photos. I get the impression my suggestion is probably not useful, though, so I removed the image.

Hi Dave - attaching a more detailed sketch of the part. If you had time to prepare the files for send cut send I’d really appreciate it.

 

[Dave Richards]

Do you want the hinge pin hole or would you rather drill that yourself?

I'll see what I can get out of your drawing. It's pretty rough but we'll see.

 

[NeilR]

Can just drill myself. Oh and the hinge is 5/8 inch wide. Thanks for trying

 

[Dave Richards]

I'm not sure if Send Cut Send has 5/8 in. thick stock. They can do 1/2 in. cold rolled steel. Maybe in aluminum or something. Here's a PDF with a 1:1 drawing based on your dimensions as closely as I could manage. Print it out and compare it with the actual part. If it'll work I'll make a file you can send out. I added a hole but will remove it before creating the manufacturing drawing.

 

[NeilR]

I'm not sure if Send Cut Send has 5/8 in. thick stock. They can do 1/2 in. cold rolled steel. Maybe in aluminum or something. Here's a PDF with a 1:1 drawing based on your dimensions as closely as I could manage. Print it out and compare it with the actual part. If it'll work I'll make a file you can send out. I added a hole but will remove it before creating the manufacturing drawing.

Dave - this is spot on. If you can just leave the pin hole on there but make it 5/16 instead of 1/4 that would be great. May be easier just to include it. Neil

 

[Dave Richards]

5/16 it is. I zipped the DXF file so I could upload it. I gave it a try with Send Cut Send. 0.5 in. mild steel selected. Not sure what they might have in 0.625 in. material.