Cracked Platen Support Craftsmen 6.5 x 10

To my dismay, I noted a crack in the support of the platen on my studio’s 6.5 x 10 Craftsmen platen press. (see attached photos)
The crack is clean through, right on line with where the spring anchor attaches. I am fairly certain it is a recent break.

Does anyone know if this would be able to be welded, as it is a clean break, or should I start looking for a new press?

image: Platen Crack Front

Platen Crack Front

image: Platen Crack Side

Platen Crack Side

image: Platen Crack Left Side

Platen Crack Left Side

image: Craftsmen 6.5 x 10

Craftsmen 6.5 x 10

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You should reach out to Tom and Terri at T&T Press Restoration. If anyone can fix this, they can.
http://www.tandtpressrestoration.com/repair—manufacturing-services.htm...

DGM

That doesn’t look right. Certainly the square nut is a later addition. I think someone drilled the hole and bastardized the press. I believe the hole led to the crack.
Dan is right. Consult with Tom at T & T Press Restoration.
I would suggest brazing and a couple of fish plates to strengthen it. The plates will look clunky.

Actually the hole is standard on this press. There is one on each leg of the rocker. These holes are the attach points for the two extension springs that are meant to assist in the closing of the platen. This design element is unique to the Craftsmen Superior and Monarch. The hole weakens the rocker leg a bit and puts odd stresses on the eye bolt which occupies the hole. Note how the eye bolt is bent in the photos. In my opinion… complete press dis-assembly is required to extract the rocker, align the broken piece and repair it with a braze.

Tom
www.tandtpressrestoration.com

As you seem to be back in the dark ages, when it comes to welding/brazing repairs, perhaps we could offer the following.
Removing the broken part from the M/C etc is probably not the way to proceed, i.e. once it is removed in Busted form, there is not much chance of successful alignment.?
Here U.K. it, the M/c. would be examined by the actual welding engineer, put into the impression proper mode, under light impression mode of course, with powerful WELDING magnets, and Torniquet,s, positioned and aligned perfectly, *V* ed, out to within 20% of the centre of the base material, (broken item) with a *Root* weld /braze on either side, to maintain alignment, and then removed for final braze or weld, preheated yes, for welding.
Scrap the idea of the original bolt hole, weld up or braze 100% for absolute strength, + it aint rocket science to replace the original return spring anchor, with a simple steel, split sleeve around the upright, for the return spring, first year metal work apprentice job.!!!