I have a small hand tool for stripping varnish off copper wire.
20 years ago it cracked, I used tape to hold it together for years,
then it degraded so I added a spacer and got a few mores years out of it.
Recently I got the hair brained idea I would weld it with my
tombstone welder that I bought well used for $50. All I did was eat
holes in it.
This mostly matched my welding ability.
I have the tombstone welder and I have a tig machine.
I want to take another stab at repairing this tool. I have had it since
1982, it has been my go to tool for wire stripping. I miss it.

I need to fill in that gap shown in my pictures below.

What equipment and method would you suggest I try to make this repair.

I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure what
that is for.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvomlqb9a9v048v/Wirestripper%201.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tkc7xk07hzogqt/wirestripper%202.jpg?dl=0

Thanks for help, Mikek

P.S. I can buy another one or just the blade, but they have changed the
design and it is no longer the same. and it's $60 for the tool, $50 for
the blade.




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On 04/07/2020 20:37, amdx wrote:

I have a small hand tool for stripping varnish off copper wire.
20 years ago it cracked, I used tape to hold it together for years,
then it degraded so I added a spacer and got a few mores years out of it.
  Recently I got the hair brained idea I would weld it with my
tombstone welder that I bought well used for $50. All I did was eat
holes in it.
 This mostly matched my welding ability.
 I have the tombstone welder and I have a tig machine.
I want to take another stab at repairing this tool. I have had it
since 1982, it has been my go to tool for wire stripping. I miss it.

 I need to fill in that gap shown in my pictures below.

 What equipment and method would you suggest I try to make this repair.

 I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure what
that is for.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvomlqb9a9v048v/Wirestripper%201.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tkc7xk07hzogqt/wirestripper%202.jpg?dl=0

                              Thanks for help, Mikek

P.S. I can buy another one or just the blade, but they have changed
the design and it is no longer the same. and it's $60 for the tool,
$50 for the blade.

What are the dimensions? It looks like it would be an easy job to just
make the part new from some spring steel strip. The copper plate
supports the back of the weld and helps to draw out some heat, can you
not clean up the ends and fashion a new piece to insert and TIG weld it in.

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On 7/4/2020 3:48 PM, David Billington wrote:

On 04/07/2020 20:37, amdx wrote:

I have a small hand tool for stripping varnish off copper wire.
20 years ago it cracked, I used tape to hold it together for years,
then it degraded so I added a spacer and got a few mores years out of it.
  Recently I got the hair brained idea I would weld it with my
tombstone welder that I bought well used for $50. All I did was eat
holes in it.
 This mostly matched my welding ability.
 I have the tombstone welder and I have a tig machine.
I want to take another stab at repairing this tool. I have had it
since 1982, it has been my go to tool for wire stripping. I miss it.

 I need to fill in that gap shown in my pictures below.

 What equipment and method would you suggest I try to make this repair.

 I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure what
that is for.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvomlqb9a9v048v/Wirestripper%201.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tkc7xk07hzogqt/wirestripper%202.jpg?dl=0

                              Thanks for help, Mikek

P.S. I can buy another one or just the blade, but they have changed
the design and it is no longer the same. and it's $60 for the tool,
$50 for the blade.

What are the dimensions? It looks like it would be an easy job to just
make the part new from some spring steel strip.

Maybe! If I could find 0.053" x .05" spring steel. Would I need to to
heat the end to bend it and then anneal it?

The copper plate supports the back of the weld and helps to draw out some heat, can you
not clean up the ends and fashion a new piece to insert and TIG weld it in.

I can square the ends and cut a piece to fit the missing area. What
type of metal would be a good choice? Could I sacrifice a yard sale
kitchen knife for the metal? Or just any angle iron?
The blade has two holes, the first one is for a holding screw, the
second on fits over a nib to keep the blade aligned. The nib was
designed to big, so the hole is big, leaving not much metal on the edge.
It cracked at the center of that hole.
I may be able to control the TIG better, What type of rod should I buy?

Thanks, Mikek

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On 04/07/2020 22:28, amdx wrote:

On 7/4/2020 3:48 PM, David Billington wrote:

On 04/07/2020 20:37, amdx wrote:

I have a small hand tool for stripping varnish off copper wire.
20 years ago it cracked, I used tape to hold it together for years,
then it degraded so I added a spacer and got a few mores years out
of it.
  Recently I got the hair brained idea I would weld it with my
tombstone welder that I bought well used for $50. All I did was eat
holes in it.
 This mostly matched my welding ability.
 I have the tombstone welder and I have a tig machine.
I want to take another stab at repairing this tool. I have had it
since 1982, it has been my go to tool for wire stripping. I miss it.

 I need to fill in that gap shown in my pictures below.

 What equipment and method would you suggest I try to make this repair. >>>
 I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure
what that is for.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvomlqb9a9v048v/Wirestripper%201.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tkc7xk07hzogqt/wirestripper%202.jpg?dl=0

                              Thanks for help, Mikek

P.S. I can buy another one or just the blade, but they have changed
the design and it is no longer the same. and it's $60 for the tool,
$50 for the blade.

What are the dimensions? It looks like it would be an easy job to
just make the part new from some spring steel strip.

 Maybe! If I could find 0.053" x .05" spring steel. Would I need to to
heat the end to bend it and then anneal it?

The copper plate supports the back of the weld and helps to draw out
some heat, can you not clean up the ends and fashion a new piece to
insert and TIG weld it in.

 I can square the ends and cut a piece to fit the missing area. What
type of metal would be a good choice? Could I sacrifice a yard sale
kitchen knife for the metal? Or just any angle iron?
 The blade has two holes, the first one is for a holding screw, the
second on fits over a nib to keep the blade aligned. The nib was
designed to big, so the hole is big, leaving not much metal on the edge.
It cracked at the center of that hole.
 I may be able to control the TIG better, What type of rod should I buy?

                                       Thanks,  Mikek

I presume the thickness is 0.053" and the .05" is a typo for 0.5" width,
if so you can get ground flat stock O1 in thicknesses such as 1/16"
(0.0625") and 1/2" wide and metric at 1.5mm (0.059") and 15mm wide which
might be fine for doing your repair and making new blades.

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On 7/4/2020 6:40 PM, David Billington wrote:

On 04/07/2020 22:28, amdx wrote:

On 7/4/2020 3:48 PM, David Billington wrote:

On 04/07/2020 20:37, amdx wrote:

I have a small hand tool for stripping varnish off copper wire.
20 years ago it cracked, I used tape to hold it together for years,
then it degraded so I added a spacer and got a few mores years out
of it.
  Recently I got the hair brained idea I would weld it with my
tombstone welder that I bought well used for $50. All I did was eat
holes in it.
 This mostly matched my welding ability.
 I have the tombstone welder and I have a tig machine.
I want to take another stab at repairing this tool. I have had it
since 1982, it has been my go to tool for wire stripping. I miss it.

 I need to fill in that gap shown in my pictures below.

 What equipment and method would you suggest I try to make this repair. >>>>
 I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure
what that is for.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvomlqb9a9v048v/Wirestripper%201.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tkc7xk07hzogqt/wirestripper%202.jpg?dl=0

                              Thanks for help, Mikek

P.S. I can buy another one or just the blade, but they have changed
the design and it is no longer the same. and it's $60 for the tool,
$50 for the blade.

What are the dimensions? It looks like it would be an easy job to
just make the part new from some spring steel strip.

 Maybe! If I could find 0.053" x .05" spring steel. Would I need to to
heat the end to bend it and then anneal it?

The copper plate supports the back of the weld and helps to draw out
some heat, can you not clean up the ends and fashion a new piece to
insert and TIG weld it in.

 I can square the ends and cut a piece to fit the missing area. What
type of metal would be a good choice? Could I sacrifice a yard sale
kitchen knife for the metal? Or just any angle iron?
 The blade has two holes, the first one is for a holding screw, the
second on fits over a nib to keep the blade aligned. The nib was
designed to big, so the hole is big, leaving not much metal on the edge.
It cracked at the center of that hole.
 I may be able to control the TIG better, What type of rod should I buy?

                                       Thanks,  Mikek

I presume the thickness is 0.053" and the .05" is a typo for 0.5" width,
if so you can get ground flat stock O1 in thicknesses such as 1/16"
(0.0625") and 1/2" wide and metric at 1.5mm (0.059") and 15mm wide which might be fine for doing your repair and making new blades.

Yes, 1/2" by 0.053"
Mikek

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"amdx" wrote in message news:rdqlq8$ar1$1@dont-email.me...

I have a small hand tool for stripping varnish off copper wire.
20 years ago it cracked, I used tape to hold it together for years,
then it degraded so I added a spacer and got a few mores years out of it.
Recently I got the hair brained idea I would weld it with my
tombstone welder that I bought well used for $50. All I did was eat
holes in it.
This mostly matched my welding ability.
I have the tombstone welder and I have a tig machine.
I want to take another stab at repairing this tool. I have had it since
1982, it has been my go to tool for wire stripping. I miss it.

I need to fill in that gap shown in my pictures below.

What equipment and method would you suggest I try to make this repair.

I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure what
that is for.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vvomlqb9a9v048v/Wirestripper%201.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6tkc7xk07hzogqt/wirestripper%202.jpg?dl=0

Thanks for help, Mikek

P.S. I can buy another one or just the blade, but they have changed the
design and it is no longer the same. and it's $60 for the tool, $50 for
the blade.

=========================================
Here's the procedure for making a bent flat spring with hand tools: http://www.bkwebstergunsmith.com/making-a-main-spring-for-a-classic-shotgun.html

New and used temperature controllers to make an electric tempering oven have become inexpensive. I'd choose one that can drive an external solid state
relay so you have enough capacity to run a toaster oven etc.

This is essentially what I learned in blacksmithing class: https://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?/topic/35642-5160-leaf-springs-quenching-and-tempering/

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"amdx" wrote in message news:rdqlq8$ar1$1@dont-email.me...
...
I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure what
that is for. ...

==================

The copper forms a floor that the weld puddle doesn't fall through or stick
to, since the copper oxidizes, so you can fill a hole in sheet metal.

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On 7/6/2020 7:02 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"amdx"  wrote in message news:rdqlq8$ar1$1@dont-email.me...
...
 I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure what
that is for. ...

==================

The copper forms a floor that the weld puddle doesn't fall through or
stick to, since the copper oxidizes, so you can fill a hole in sheet metal.

Thanks for the videos, that will be my fall back. first I'll try
making a small piece to replace what is missing and use my TIG for two
welds.
I have only tigged aluminum, it wasn't pretty but held up through a hurricane, the rest of the boat didn't.
I have angle iron, but I think I need steel? I'm looking for a knife I
can sacrifice for the missing piece.
I have some brazing rod that has been around for 30 years.
What rod would you use?

Thanks for the info.
Mikek


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"amdx" wrote in message news:rdv5ft$a19$1@dont-email.me...

On 7/6/2020 7:02 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"amdx" wrote in message news:rdqlq8$ar1$1@dont-email.me...
...
I have heard of clamping to a copper plate, but not really sure what
that is for. ...

==================

The copper forms a floor that the weld puddle doesn't fall through or
stick to, since the copper oxidizes, so you can fill a hole in sheet
metal.

Thanks for the videos, that will be my fall back. first I'll try
making a small piece to replace what is missing and use my TIG for two
welds.
I have only tigged aluminum, it wasn't pretty but held up through a hurricane, the rest of the boat didn't.
I have angle iron, but I think I need steel? I'm looking for a knife I
can sacrifice for the missing piece.
I have some brazing rod that has been around for 30 years.
What rod would you use?

Thanks for the info.
Mikek

============================
Based on my variable results from trying to harden and temper springs and cutting edges I'd archive the old tool for reference and make a new one that copies the cutting edge geometry but doesn't require tricky heat treating.
The cutitng edges would be the broken-off ends of a dull hacksaw blade
screwed to the ends of parallel bars, like a tuning fork.

How you attach the curved handle and adjust the springiness of the bars
depends on your materials, equipment and skills. I make similar small hand tools from 3/16" copper-clad steel welding rod. it's small enough to heat to forging temperature with a propane torch and holds a quenched or cold-forged sharp scraping edge reasonably well, and it seems more tolerant of
insufficient tempering than music wire.

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