Posted by: Ken Smith on January 13, 2006 at 13:31:34:
In Reply to: Re: Repairing insert runners posted by John Stasieluk on January 13, 2006 at 13:15:07:
At teh IDNIYRA.com site, there is a reprint of how to build inserts written by Paul Goodwin about 1985. I built a pair using that method shortly after the article came out. They are still in service and used mostly in heavy air and adverse conditions.
Key points in that article often not used in all inserts:
-Wet sand with epoxy the steel surfaces
-Wrap a layer of glass cloth around the runner steel as it is inserted
-Press 7/8 long threaded rod (bedded in epoxy) into the holes of the runner to tie the wood together both sides of the steel.
This stuff works very well. You can open the holes to get the threaded rod through teh glass with an awl. This is a one-step assembly process. Adding teh reinforcing fibers to teh sides of teh wood is a second step.
The alternate repair method suggested, I agree with the heat idea. Heating the runner steel with a hair dryer will also help get the epoxy in. I have done the same type of repair on some inserts I bought. I am sure they have neither the glass wrap or the threaded rod. I expect to have to rebuild teh bodies in the next year or so. No such problem with angles...
Ken Smith