HELP !!! Broken Band Saw Casting

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I just had shipped out my late Dad's 14 inch Rockwell bandsaw and DHL broke in two the main casting (cast iron ???) that is underneath / supports the metal table top (good reason why I couldn't get the table level after messing with it for a half hour).

As this thing is twenty years old ($600 back then), has probably two cuts on it, and lots and lots of sentimental value I was wondering the best way to go about fixing this e.g. liquid weld / expoxy, take it somewhere to be brazed, special welding rods ???? I had insurance on it but there's no way they will cast a whole new piece .... any and all comments appreciated !!!

I almost posted the picks as to show everyone how they used to make things in the USA ... the machining and detail is incredible and hopefully I'll do my Dad proud in using it.

EDIT: I have six minute epoxy that I have clamped up right now that is supposed to be good for 1900 pounds but it's a vertical crack and I don't think this will be strong enough for the weight / force / vibration.

[gwyneth]

I believe that is called the trunnion (at least it is on the piece that tilts/holds the table on my crappette little Delta. I know this because I have broken and fixed it at least three times.)

If there is no missing metal, you can try epoxy. I believe my first fix would have been permanent if a sledge hammer hadn't fallen on the table a year or so later in exactly the wrong place. If you go this route, study the epoxy selection very carefully and plan out the repair--I took off the pieces of the broken part (parts of the broken piece?) instead of doing it in place so there would be no weight or stress while the glue cured.

However, if the same thing had happened to a better bandsaw--i.e., one worth putting money into, I probably would have asked my small town car parts place for the name of the best metal guy they know.

And the last thought: Delta may have the piece. Some of the 14" Rockwells, I believe, migrated into the Delta acquisition virtually unchanged.

[Ken Massingale]

I'm sorry that happened, especially to such a fine saw and it being your Dad's. I would try hard to find a replacement, new or used.
I have absolutely no doubt that DHL can break a 2,000 lb. blacksmiths anvil into a gazillion pieces and then loose every piece.

[Pappy]

Cast iron can be TIG welded or brazed. MIG won't work. If you go this route, make sure the welder is good. Check with machine shops or high performance car techs for recommendations. A bad welded repair job is still a permanent repair.

[Uncle Cracker]

I have absolutely no doubt that DHL can break a 2,000 lb. blacksmiths anvil into a gazillion pieces and then loose every piece.

Actually, Ken, they'll lose all but one. That's just so you'll know for sure that they had it to start with...

[Stytooner]

Service Net may have the part(s) that you need. They do carry parts for older equipment as well. I found two listings on Ebay for these. Is your model number 28-300?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Delta-Ro...QQcmdZViewItem





http://cgi.ebay.com/Delta-Rockwell-W...QQcmdZViewItem



Service Net says the top parts of the trunnion are in stock and are $5.80 or $9.60. If it is the lower part of the trunnion, they are backordered until 9/5/2007. That part is $66.61.
That is if this is your model number.

Depending on just what kind of stress point the weld would be in, if I really wanted to keep the saw and it was that sentimental, I would buy the new parts. I have had good and bad luck with brazing. High stress points just seem to continue to be a problem.

[LCHIEN]

If I had a "clean" condition nearly antique saw with great sentimental value, I'd replace the parts with original replacements or used replacements if I could...

Rockwell/Delta is supposed to be very good about having old parts - do as the above posters suggested and go to servicenet (Delta/Dewalt parts supply website) with your model number in hand.

[movnup]

Here's a picture of the broken part (the long crack is in the top part of the picture) which a trunion sounds like a great name to me ... as an FYI the expoxy didn't hold it once the weight was put on it. The model is a Rockwell 14 which didn't pop up much on google for parts or a manual.





The saw is newer then the picture shown on e-bay but the mechanics underneath look almost identical. I like the idea of replacing it as this is one of three major castings and I don't know if any type of weld would really be a permenant repair. I'm sure the right person could patch it up somehow ...

[Stytooner]

Model number?

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I found it, Model 28-240 ... as I've been putting it together and cleaning it all up this am they also broke the 3/8 x 1.5 coarse set screw for the main arm to set the height adjustment and also the long plastic guide for the blade is in three pieces ....!!!!!!!!!!!

This will definitely be a labor of love ....

[gwyneth]

Here is a place that specializes in old/vintage/loved Rockwell/Delta tools. They sell parts, have lots of info.

http://weberwoodworking.com/
Welcome to Weber Woodworking

[eezlock]

bandsaw repair?

That trunnion appears to be cast iron. It can be welded by a competent,
knowledgable welder and it will be a good strong repair if done right.
I believe that the proper way to do cast iron is that it has to be warmed to
a proper welding temperature before welding, then you can only weld about
an inch or inch and a half at a time, then it has to cool 24 hrs slowly,
then slowly reheated to temp. again and weld the same amount and cooled again till the entire area is solidly welded up. Welders will use a nickel welding rod to do the work, and will charge a premium price because of all the time
and different processes involved, but it is a doable thing to undertake if
you want to save the piece. Hope this helps....eezlock

[movnup]

Thanks for all the help everyone ... I found the part(s) on service net and also e-mailed weberwoodworking. The total for the three broken peices is $128 so hopefully DHL insurance works well. I also found out I'm missing one plastic knob $12, one nut for the lower roller $5, and I knew the bottom safety guard was gone ($112) so $275 total plus new tires if I need to pony up. Why my Dad took off the guard and glued the bottom tire down I'll have to ask him when we meet up again. After three hours of cleanup at least I know what I'm up against and it's starting to look legit.

Do you all think I could build a lower guard somehow ... it's thin, curved, and 1 3/4 inches out from the two studs but with all the bright minds on this forum maybe it would work. The front would be easy, its the thin sides / curves that has me thinkin ....

[Popeye]

When you say lower guard, what exactly are you talking about? Lower wheel cover maybe? Pat

[movnup]

Lower wheel cover must be the technical term .... I'm a marketing guy what can I say, we come up with new way to say everything !!!