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Welcome!


>=20
> Too much about me-- verbosity is a professional hazzard.  My=20
> question: I inherited a Stanley #81 (a cast iron cabinet=20
> scraper, Jeff) with a broken handle (see it here:=20
> http://www.msnusers.com/ThingsIputonline/shoebox.msnw?action=3DS
howPhoto&PhotoID=3D1 ) .
> My inner Scotsman says it's worth fixing.  My internet=20
> research tells me that it can be gas welded, but this is a=20
> skill I have no interest in acquiring.
>  1) Where would I take it to get it welded?  A gun smith? =20
> Does anyone know of anybody in the Phoenix area who can do=20
> this, or is there anyone out there I can send it to?

I'd suggest looking into getting it silver or nickle brazed
instead of welding. You'll get a cleaner repair that way IMHO,
though some may have other thoughts. This is within the realm of
DIY work with a borax based flux and MAPP torch, though if you're
shy of trying this tool as your first time doing it, I wouldn't
blame you. A gunsmith would be a reasonable candidate for this.
Also someone who repairs band instruments (my long ago and far
away job) should be able to do it too. A jeweler might be worth
a shot, though I don't think even the biggest heads for a Smith
Mini Torch would put out enough heat (temp yes, but the heat might
be marginal). But they probably have a bigger torch kicking around
somewhere anyway.

>  2) Someone once tried to reattach the handle with epoxy. =20
> Will this interfere with the weld?  If so, how can I clean=20
> off the dried epoxy?

It will interfere, more so with brazing than welding, but it should
be cleaned out in any case. If you can dig any off with a dental=20
pick or similar, then do it. A Dremel with a brush usually can get
the stuff off pretty well. You can run down to shiney metal without
screwing up the mating surfaces. If brazing, you want a nice, accurate
fit of the parts back together. You want that with welding too, but it's
not as critical.=20

>  3) What about replating it once it's fixed?  I have no=20
> interest in selling it.  It's just that the thing is so pretty. . .

Using care and the silver colored braze, the repair won't be all
that obvious.  You may not need to plate it at all. Just clean up
the joint and lightly buff to blend with the body. If you do weld
then that would require replating.=20

>  4) What would be a reasonable price for this kind of repair?
> DISCLAIMER: "someone," in the above context, was not me.

Have no clue nowadays, but would guess anywhere from $20-$40 or so.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Jim Foster
Minnesota=20

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