[len loma]

I have an older Mec Grabber 761 with a broken finger on collet re-sizer. I understand this is carbon steel. It does not move very much so I wonder has anybody successfully repaired one by tig or mig welding? Thank you, Len

 

[JT 27]

The collet is spring steel, you will destroy the spring by welding.

 

[Old Cowboy]

They're not all that expensive, just get a new one.

 

[dgh]

Just give MEC a call very reasonable part,

 

[smoke-eater]

Not worth the trouble fixing. Call Gamaliel, order a new one.
MEC Old Style 12g Collet. SKU: M8009 $49.95

 

[len loma]

I have Ponsness and Mec reloaders and use this Grabber for my daughters loads. With that said I have nothing to lose trying to welded collet.

The collet is high carbon steel. I would how ever like to point out that I filed the broken edges easily for full penetration of weld. I would not rate it as hard as typical spring steel. Feeling less heat would not burn out as much carbon from steel I decided to mig weld rather then tig. I hosed clamped socket inside collet and welded. It welded nice. Ground off excess weld and filed it smooth.

The finger compresses and returns no diffent then other fingers. I black oxided surface and will put it to the test. If this safes me $50 bucks (plus shipping cost) then great. Time will tell. I will let you know at the end of season.
Len

 

[Calkidd]

Looks like you had your mind made up long before posting your question...

 

[superxjeff]

I have seen them welded in the past and they would often work for a time. They all seem to break again though. I save money when I can but the pain in the ass of remving the collet and calibrating it to have it break 10 shells later makes me just buy another one. I have seen them last thousands of rounds and 10 rounds. Just depends. Good luck. If it is for a 20ga, I have an extra used one you can have for 20.00 shipped. Jeff

 

[len loma]

Sorry CALKID I did not make up my mind well before moving ahead with this. I simply did not see replys and input from people who have attempted collet repairs. I have been a Journeyman machine repairman for over 35 yrs. who manages a maintenance department for a large company. I simply was looking for some input on issue from the many knowledgeable people on this website. Had I read replys of nothing but failures I would have replaced it. Len

 

[Big Jack]

The collet always breaks at a flex point. Welds do not flex to match the original material...Your stressing above or below the weld and I haven't seen one of these welded that didn't fail in a short period.

Good luck, I've tried it myself and ended up replacing the collet shortly after.

Big Jack

 

[shrek]

you also likely get a heat check on either or both sides of the weld, that will likely be the weak spot where it will crack at some point in time down the road.

 

[Calkidd]

I would have thought your 35 years of experience would have taught you basic metallurgy. Heating up metal, especially spring, will temper it and make it brittle. Good luck.

 

[len loma]

CalKidd you are special. I'll leave it at that. Any way best of luck to you this season. Len