broken handle on Vandercook SP15

lauren ottaviano
on 4 Oct 10 (13:12)

This past weekend I hired a moving company to move my Vandercook and in the process the press tipped over in there van. Luckily it mostly fell on some blankets, but the handle did crack and break in half. What type of metal is it made of and is it fairly easy to get welded or should I look for a new handle to replace it?

The Arm NYC
on 4 Oct 10 (20:11)

I’m pretty sure they are cast iron. Just take the parts to a welding shop- they should be able to weld or braze it back together. Finding a replacement will be very difficult!

Daniel Morris
The Arm Letterpress
Brooklyn, NY

parallel_imp
on 5 Oct 10 (10:33)

I thought Fritz said cast iron is not used in most Vandercooks, but such a part would be cast steel.
Lauren, if you are still around SF, Weiss Welding has always had a good reputation. They are now listed as Al’s Welding, on Folsom.

The Arm NYC
on 5 Oct 10 (10:59)

That could be. I think it would make the repair a bit easier.

Dan

lauren ottaviano
on 5 Oct 10 (12:05)

Actually I am living in Colorado now. So you think it is cast steel? Anyone know any good welders around Boulder Colorado?

AdLibPress
on 5 Oct 10 (13:25)

I sold a handle to Paul Moxon some time back — he may still have it. But brazing would also be a good option, provided that the whole part gets heated up uniformly first and then cooled slowly afterwards.

Bob