I think you are right.

Now that you mention it, I think it was under engineered by the factory.

The spade should have been welded all around the circumference.

May go for a new Maxwell one, and just keep this around for originality sake.

Still thinking on which course of action to take.

All good suggestions from everyone.

Thnx a lot

Check these pics - someone done done it right on these, and they are....wait for it....MIJ!

If you or anyone reading this decide to go the peen route, note the spade itself should be in no way involved in the force produced by the hammer. The spade should be free of any mechanical clamping or force, though you could tape it into [straight] position around the rod. Leave enough clearance between the spade and top of vice so that if the rod slips on impact, you won't punch it right out of the spade. The rod must be well supported from the bottom anyway, so that the top can receive the full force of the hammer blow. I'd also use wood slats on the vice to protect the knurling on the rod.

Mitch

I wonder if you could contact the instructor for welding at a trade school--high school level--to find out if the instructor would like to make the repair a classroom project.

Not sure where you live but in the welding classes I took the race car builders and aviation wrenches were flat out artists on small joints like this. Two cents

Brilliant idea

I'll look into it.

It seems like welding turns out to be the way to go.

Hi Jim,

I think you are right about that.

I'm not so much looking for the cheapest solution.

This idea might turn into a good solution all around.

Steve Maxwell does not sell just the top assembly.

It would be the top 2 parts of the rail mount system. Don't need that extra part.

The sales guy on the floor is also looking through the parts bin.

It's amazing how many people are offering to help with my little problem.

Good deeds all around.

Between welding and peening, I think you should go with welding. After all, it was the original "pressure-fit" approach that eventually failed....

This is true.

Tomorrow I'll start the search for a welder

Thnx a lot