On Mon, 16 Sep 2013 09:09:39 -0500, "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh"
lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote:

Stormin Mormon fired this volley in
:

I don't think either side really understands the other.


I think you don't understand what I wrote.

I fix everything I possibly can (and I can fix a lot of stuff, from AC to
broken hearts). Most con-rods aren't in that genre of things you can
just nail back together. If you don't have an intimate understanding of
the con-rod alloy, the right welding alloy, the right shielding, the
right heat treatment, and the best of all possible welding skils (with
the ability to totally avoid embrittlement of the weld), then you're just
****ing up a rope. And what if they bent before they broke, or warped
during welding? Does he have the ability to straighten them without
breaking them again? I mean dead-to-nuts straight? 'Cause, if not, they
must be re-lined on both ends... It's a fool's errand.


I did not condemn him for asking about it, I told him it wasn't worth his
while. I didn't condemn him for tipping over the compressor, either. I
said I couldn't see ME doing that. He inferred from that some sort of
condescention or condemnation.

My parents lived frugally, too, and taught me all that. I no longer eat
spoiled cheese, and vinegary-smelling hamburger meat, and slimy two-week-
old lettuce (because "it'll do") like my mom was prone to do, but I save
every buck I can, and never buy new unless 'new' will pay for itself.


LLoyd

And, depending on the age of the compressor, the con rods could be
made of PM. Even automobile engine con rods are often made that way
today.

That was my thought when he reported that they broke. Forged con rods
require a hell of a beating to break.

If it's PM, toss it. If it's cast, toss it. If it's forged, toss it
and save yourself a lot of grief.

--
Ed Huntress