Natalie 2 Skeleton failure

[Phil]

This end is more mangled than the other, I'd have to cut it off to within a half inch of the center weld where the joint for the spine is attached to have a clean end of structural integrity.  It can be seen, the weld is good, the steel is pretty cheap.  Patrick told me it cost him $1,000 for this skeleton.   I have to wonder...

[Phil]

The welds are really good, the nuts are even spot welded to the bolts so they cannot come loose.  Unfortunately, they are too tight and the square "bones" can twist thus fatiguing the metal.  I think she could have still been a standing doll if the joints weren't so tight.  Fahhhhhk! 

I thought I might've been able to loosen some joints up a bit, but since they're welded can't do that.  There will be a gap between the mid-section cross piece and the section that broke off.  I don't know how they can be re-attached. 

The fix would have to be very strong since that area is highly stressed.  Though if the joints were loosed in her hips and mid-section, It's possible the break might be repaired since it would no longer be highly stressed.   I wouldn't mind if she were just a bed doll.



A possibility to remove the nut/bolt weld with a dremmel has occurred to me. I'd have to cut into the hips to get at those. I could try it with the mid-section swivel first.  I'm pretty much resigned to the idea she won't be a standing doll anymore.  This pic is the mid-section swivel/ bend joint.

[Ceej]

Wow!!   I'm so sorry, I don't know what to suggest. 

[Smoke]

Wow! I  wouldn't have thought  a standing doll would have such light gauge metal skeleton, but  seeing is believing.

Maybe you have thought of this already? Anyway , this is just food for thought There are a couple some of repair  options that I could think of. Hardware store copper pipe and/or possibly mending plates for cabinetry. Copper pipe could be used to join two broken pieces together. Insert two broken pieces inside the pipe. Drill though and use bolts to fasten the two broken pieces to the pipe. Fill the empty space in the pipe with epoxy after. You could probably  forget about using bolts because epoxy is probably stronger after it cures.

You can get straight or 90 degree mending plates that may work. Lay over top of the broken pieces drill though and use bolts or screws to fasten together. Or possibly us a combination of mending plates and pipe to cobble a joining piece.  Like I said,  these are just ideas.but something like that may work. The sad part about this skeleton is that the repaired area would end up being stronger then the skeleton. It may just break again some place else.

[Phil]

Thanks Smoke, but I don't understand about using the copper pipe, how does that work with a  90 degree angle?

[Smoke]

Thanks Smoke, but I don't understand about using the copper pipe, how does that work with a  90 degree angle?

I thought you might be able to cobble a couple of pieces of pipe as joiners then mend them with 90 degree mending plates into a joiner.

Begog's idea in chat is genius! Get a tee  and cut one end off. This will give you a 90 degree joiner.  Brilliant. 

[Begog]

Thanks Smoke, but I don't understand about using the copper pipe, how does that work with a  90 degree angle?

I thought you might be able to cobble a couple of pieces of pipe as joiners then mend them with 90 degree mending plates into a joiner.


Begog's idea in chat is genius! Get a tee  and cut one end off. This will give you a 90 degree joiner.  Brilliant. 

I'm Begog, and I approve this message. 

[Mr_Hand]

Phil.

I don’t have anything to offer but best wishes on a successful repair.

When it comes to Doll repairs, the group here, wrote the book.

Looks like we are adding another chapter.

[Smoke]

The cold hard truth about doll ownership is that the manufacture is more then happy to sell you a doll, but  you are on your own when it breaks. We just try and help anyway we can, to keep them out of the landfill.

[Phil]

The cold hard truth about doll ownership is that the manufacture is more then happy to sell you a doll, but  you are on your own when it breaks. We just try and help anyway we can, to keep them out of the landfill.

Yes, Patrick had to go to China for the skeletons, Nobody else could do it for the price he was willing to pay.  So the consumer pays for the shortfall

Wel...   I'm working at cleaning up the ends.   If I go with internal fix, I'll have to put a hose clamp or two around the outside. The corner that split would continue to do so.

Since it's almost 60 F and sunny, I'll now saddle up for a bike ride, maybe the last one this year.

Phil

[Phil]

Had a good ride, supper, and got the end on the cross piece cleaned up.

An advantage to an interior fix would be having the insert travel past the weld of the joint.  I don't know yet how long the other end could be.

It just occurred to me the possibility of both interior and exterior with JB weld slathered around the insert and inside the pipe which would be the exterior.   

There is the possibility that the frame welded to the hip joint is cracked, it could be only a matter of time before that goes. But why get ahead of ones self?  You can be sure I'll be treating her with much care after this.  I remember Patrick telling me I could horse her around pretty good.  I have to wonder how many standing spinners having failures it took for him to discontinue the standing feature?

[Ceej]

All I can say is, Natalie 2 sure is lucky to have such a determined loving owner    I wish you all the best with this repair

[Phil]

All I can say is, Natalie 2 sure is lucky to have such a determined loving owner    I wish you all the best with this repair

Thanks Ceej, a plan is coalescing in my mind, I feel positive about it now.

[Ceej]

That's great! 

[Dewyn]

Receive all my positive thoughts for the success of this operation Phil.