Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Jeff Smith

Dennis - have you tried calling Brent? They're pretty good at resolving problems on their equipment. I haven't had to call often, but when I've had a problem they've been very responsive.

Brent was at the Oregon Symposium last weekend, and, as always, willing to solve problems and listen to users.

How are they....

Brian Roberts

attached at "the factory"?

I thought Robust was higher quality......

And....before anyone feels the need to beat me up.....I know quality can fail at times for a variety of reasons.

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

John K Jordan

I have five of those and so far they've been good. I haven't tried dropping one...

If I wanted to try to fix one myself instead of getting it replaced, I'd probably clean off all the epoxy, clamp the rod firmly in place, then use the TIG welder to tack quickly very close to each end. I might put a wet cloth on the center to keep it cool. A small tack will not generate much heat so I would suspect any loss of hardness would be confined to the ends which don't get as much use/abuse. Then make an epoxy filet with JB Weld. Of course, I don't know if this will work.

But I suspect they will replace it if you ask.

JKJ

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

john lucas

Dennis I broke mine. Hit it with a spinning chuck. My Bad. Anyway I used that epoxy that you see in the hardware that usually has a golf ball sticking to a coke bottle. Comes in Black and GRay 35mm plastic film cans. So far it's been about a year since I did that and it's working great.

I would call Brent also and ask what the best solution is even though I didn't follow my own advice. I already had some of that epoxy so I just fixed it real quick.

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

robo hippy

The early models were attached by epoxy, but like a machinist I have known for a while said, 'around here, JB Weld is a bad word'. It does hold till you drop it. Now Brent tack welds them all on, then heats them. If you know a very good welder, not just some one who can weld, it should be possible to tack it on with spot welds without the drill rod losing its hardness/temper. If you do long welds though, it could soften the drill rod. I think it is A2 now days, not sure what he was using before.

robo hippy

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

John K Jordan

Ha! 'around here, JB Weld' holds the farm together. :-)

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Mike Foster

I have a tool rest the same thing happened a couple years ago and I talked to Brent about it. He said to just epoxy it on as that is what he does at manufacture. Apparently he has changed that. Well that tool rest hit the floor mat (rubber over a hardwood floor) yesterday and the rod popped off. So I will be doing another epoxy repair. Not difficult and I'm OK if it lasts a few years and needs to be done again. Just need to be more careful with it.

With everyone dropping tool rests

Dick Coers

I hope you all were steel toe boots! I'm a real fan on JB Weld. In the application of holding that rod to the rest, JB Weld is a great choice.

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Keith Newton

Dennis, is the rod smooth on the bonded side? If so, that is the problem. NO epoxy likes to stick to really smooth surfaces, so you need to give it some tooth to grab onto.

Use your coarsest grit grinder and run down that side, then work in good to make sure it gets down in the scratch good.

Good idea Keith, but a grinder might be aggressive

Dick Coers

I'd think 80 grit would put some scratches on it, or a little drum on a Dremel. Also don't clamp the rod on too tightly. Epoxy likes a film thickness for bonding strength.

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Dennis in Southern Oregon

Thank you all. I guess I will give epoxy one more chance before I give up on it. Surprisingly, in the last attempt, the epoxy bonded well to the rod but had probably less than 50% bonding to the the body. I will try Keith's suggestion and roughen the surface of the notch in the body.

Re: Good idea Keith, but a grinder might be aggres

Keith Newton

I guess I wasn't clear, and Dick is right. Epoxy likes a fat glue line. It is also less brittle with additives. Of course, if your using something like JB Weld, it already has those additives. It has been a long time since I've used that product, so I don't recall how thick or long to set. If it is so soft that the weight of the rod will slowly sink in to where you are metal to metal, you might want to work in a half of an o-ring at end to hold it up until it cures.

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

philip f Duffy

Ripley believe it or not; black CA Glue!! Clean the metal, file it down if necessary, rub it with a volatile cleaner and apply CA to both sides and clamp it together for 24 hours. Worked for me, 6 years ago!! Phil

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Roger

As much as they cost why should you have to even fix them???

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Brent English

OK Guys, as Reed described the early ones where just epoxied. Current production is spot welded and further bedded with epoxy.

THE REST ARE 100% GUARANTEED. If this happens to you or you bend one because you got a big catch, just return it for replacement. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

Just be sure to provide your return address.

Brent English, Robust Tools.

yes!

John K Jordan

Let's hear it for Robust and Brent!

I want a tee shirt that says:

Robust

I [heart] my rest

or

Can't turn 'round

without my rest

JKJ

Re: yes!

Dwight Rutherford

Another vote for great products and customer service!

Re: Repairing Robust Tool Rest

Dennis in Southern Oregon

Brent, I never doubted for a moment that you would take care of the problem if I sent the rest back to you. It is just that it would be easier for both of us if I can make a simple lasting repair in my own shop. If I am unsuccessful, I will take you up on your offer. Thanks

Oh, and by the way

Dennis in Southern Oregon

Ironically, this last accident occurred a couple of days after I returned from the Oregon Woodturning Symposium where I spent quite a bit of time ogling all of the other goodies you had on display there.

When you need a rest-buy Robust

John C Lucas

Man i should have been in advertising. I love his rests.

Re: When you need a rest-buy Robust

John Jordan

Well, if anyone needs one, give me a call or email.

John