Last November I buried a 2" pipe across the driveway so that an extension cord could pass through to power Christmas tree lights. Snow fell before the ground froze pipe caught the cutting edge of the blower.
The cutting edge ripped about 1/2 off and folded under.
It remained in a rather awkward position making blowing difficult but survived the winter.
Last night the cutting edge was removed and a piece of 2 X 2" angle was hand notched and radiused to strengthen the back edge of the blower. A length of 1/8th inch X 6" flat was purchased to replace the weak points where the blade attaches. If all goes well it will be repaired before the snow fall this weekend.
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:02 pm
by JSinMO
I hope you get it back together before you need it! If possible could you put up some pictures of the repair? I’d like to see it go together!
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:22 am
by Eugen
@Spike188 Just like the little toe's main purpose is to find furniture corners, it seems the snow blower main purpose is to find items forgotten around the yard. Although I did a walk around before the snow came and gathered things, my snow caster still found items, but nothing as strong as your 2" pipe. I guess this kind of thing is pretty much inevitable, sorry to hear about the accident Eugene. Hope you have a fully functional snowblower before we get dumped. If I was closer I'd offer you my walk behind snowblower.
BTW, I enjoyed the video, that is a nice snowblower. Mind you, I don't know how you guys can do the driving back and snow blowing at the same time.
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2022 11:07 am
by Gordy
Watching the video, my back and neck started aching and saying "OH NO you don't"
Gordy
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2022 6:37 pm
by Spike188
1/8th inch × 6 × 41 needed a 42 degree bend, which a friend did this morning. Then the Mrs. wanted the foot control on her 1957 Singer sewing machine repaired. Things went backwards from there. My old 4 1/2 inch grinder sounded sick last night. It ran about 3 minutes today then went on strike.
M is also refinishing our 50 year old kitchen table.
The backing pad on the porter gable disintegrated A quick look see and parts were found. Yep, for $54 US plus duty, and Amazon Tax, the sander could be repaired. SCRATCH that idea.
Now the hunt for a grinder and backing pad material began. Princess Auto was the fist stop. 30 minutes of walking isles to no avail. Next stop Peavey (TSC) where an 11 amp 5" right angle grinder and 20 L/5gal Rotella checked off the list. Still nothing found for a sander backing pad. The small Hardware store near home was the last stop.
After walking the isles with an open mind a possible solution was found.
The sun has set, the day is finished, and
The pads work perfectly.
Like Ghost, I am impatiently waiting for supper.
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2022 7:28 pm
by Timj
Spike188 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 6:37 pm
1/8th inch × 6 × 41 needed a 42 degree bend, which a friend did this morning. Then the Mrs. wanted the foot control on her 1957 Singer sewing machine repaired. Things went backwards from there. My old 4 1/2 inch grinder sounder sick last night. It ran about 3 minutes today then went on strike.
M is also refinishing our 50 year old kitchen table. image.pngThe backing pad on the porter gable pad disintegrated A quick look see and parts were found. Yep, for $54 US plus duty, and Amazon Tax, the sander could be repaired. SRATCH that idea.
Now the hunt for a grinder and backing pad material began. Princes Auto was the fist stop. 30 minutes of walking isles to no avail. Next stop Peavey (TSC) where a n 11 amp 5" right angl grinder and 20 L/5gal Rotella check off the list. Still nothing found for a sander backing pad. The small Hardware store near home was the last stop.image.png After walking the isles with an open mind a possible solution was found.
The sun has set, the day is finished, and image.png The pads work pefect. image.pngLike Ghost, I am impatiently waiting for supper.
Ghost doesn't look like he/she has missed to many suppers.
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2022 7:32 pm
by JSinMO
“Things went backwards from there”.
The best laid plans of mice and men! At least some progress was made somewhere!
I hope you get a good supper!
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2022 12:14 pm
by Spike188
The old cutting edge mounting plates have been cut away and the 2×2 angle is welded across the bottom back.
2 pieces of 1/8" flat bar with one formed to replicate the original design.
The cutting edge and backing plates were clamped together for drilling the blade mounting holes.
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2022 6:33 pm
by Spike188
After inspecting the blower housing I decided to replace the scroll. A piece of 6" X 1/8 flat bar was cut down to 5 1/2" with vip disc. The new grinder was a dream. Spending extra money for a 11 amp unit instead of the cheaper box store 7.5 amp made zip cutting easy. The blades do not bounce or chatter and last a considerable amount of cuts longer.
The scroll was formed in a 12 ton air driven press.
It was test fitted on a GM wheel which was the perfect size oval.
When shaping was completed, the scroll was dropped into place and welded on the front edge and lead-in lip.
With the scroll work completed the cutting edge assembly was test fitted and did requiring some slight tweaking.
It was to dark to do the final welding so that part will wait till morning.
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 6:32 am
by DavidBarkey
Nice work @Spike188
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:25 am
by Harry
I love the pics Spike. It shows how you improvise in your fabrication. Nice welding too! Harry
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 9:52 am
by Eugen
I always learn something from your detailed posts @Spike188 .
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 5:54 pm
by Spike188
Welding is complete. Now the electric chute rotater motor needs to be wired.
Re: Roper snow blower repair
Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 6:50 pm
by Jancoe
Spike, good thing you found the pipe early on going into winter. It's never fun having a snowblower down when your a foot deep and really need it. Repairs look great.
Although I did a walk around before the snow came and gathered things, my snow caster still found items, but nothing as strong as your 2" pipe. I guess this kind of thing is pretty much inevitable, sorry to hear about the accident Eugene. Hope you have a fully functional snowblower before we get dumped. If I was closer I'd offer you my walk behind snowblower.
At least some progress was made somewhere! 
Harry