Is that plate broken?

[Danny Moore]

Ken Hale wrote:

> I actually can not think of any way to be 100% sure, besides
> destringing and maybe taking it to the auto repair place for one of
> those "what-da-ya-call-its" where they test for cracks in engine
> blocks.

Magnaflux testing

> There is insurance that would probably cover it, but is it really
> necessary?

Probably.

Hi Ken,

I'll go ahead and admit in public that I dropped one on its head trying
to unload it out of my truck by myself.  Fortunately, it was a Howard
junker that had been given to me, so no real loss.  I disassembled it to
inspect and was rather shocked at what I found.  There was very little
damage evident UNTIL I pulled the plate.  The mass of the plate caused
the plate to continue on its travel even after the case came to a rather
sudden stop.  All the plate bolts were pulled out about 1/4 of an inch -
nose bolts - everything.  It was not noticable with the plate strung and
in the case.  There was no evidence of any damage to the plate, however.

I would think that structural damage in the rim area and where the pin
block was doweled to the case would be a much greater likelyhood than
plate damage.  After all, the plate was rather well protected by the
mass of wood it was bolted to.

It will be interesting to read other comments on this subject.

Good luck.

Danny Moore
Houston Chapter