Built a quick and dirty thumb.

[aarolar]

Reckon that tweak would press right out have seen crowd rods bent a lot more than that

Yeah I believe I can fix it easily enough at work. I'll take it and use the 300 ton press to straighten it and keep it as a spare or use it on a tree shear or something.

 

[ovrszd]

Reckon that tweak would press right out have seen crowd rods bent a lot more than that

What Pete said. Extend the cylinder all the way and use a press. Protect the ram to prevent scratches and scrapes while in the press. Wood works best.

I wouldn't use it bent. Risk destroying the seals.

 

[RNeumann]

Thx for the photos!

 

[k0ua]

I think the consensus is "press out the bend in the rod, weld up the bracket, and go forth and sin no more!"

 

[Sysop]

I agree with everyone here about having the rod pressed straight, welding it back together, and continuing on. But I think I might add a set of triangle shaped gussets to the front edge of the mount. Not only would it add extra support to hold it square, it could also act as a barrier/deflector of sorts to push it aside of various obstacles.

Fantastic job so far, I'd not abandon something that's so near completion. Anyone who's ever made anything from scratch will tell ya that you've done a marvelous job. Work out the kinks and be proud of yourself.

 

[ovrszd]

I agree with everyone here about having the rod pressed straight, welding it back together, and continuing on. But I think I might add a set of triangle shaped gussets to the front edge of the mount. Not only would it add extra support to hold it square, it could also act as a barrier/deflector of sorts to push it aside of various obstacles.

And might add some torsional strength to prevent twisting the claw.

 

[Sysop]

And might add some torsional strength to prevent twisting the claw.

Yea, that's the technical engineering term for my hillbilly-speak "holding it square".

 

[Big Barn]

I agree with everyone here about having the rod pressed straight, welding it back together, and continuing on. But I think I might add a set of triangle shaped gussets to the front edge of the mount. Not only would it add extra support to hold it square, it could also act as a barrier/deflector of sorts to push it aside of various obstacles.

Fantastic job so far, I'd not abandon something that's so near completion. Anyone who's ever made anything from scratch will tell ya that you've done a marvelous job. Work out the kinks and be proud of yourself.

This bears repeating: "Work out the kinks and be proud of yourself".

Well done!

Terry

 

[olPete]

What Pete said. Extend the cylinder all the way and use a press. Protect the ram to prevent scratches and scrapes while in the press. Wood works best.

I wouldn't use it bent. Risk destroying the seals.

Yep, local engineering firm has hardwood vee blocks for that purpose. Apparently there's a number of farmers around here that could join TBN to learn how to back drag

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, local engineering firm has hardwood vee blocks for that purpose. Apparently there's a number of farmers around here that could join TBN to learn how to back drag

Here too Pete......