I've acquired (another) heavy pillar drill - a Startrite Mercury.
The base has cracked at the back and the top surface has dipped a little relative to the back side wall, almost certainly from someone over-tightening through the rear bolt hole.
The drill is stable enough with the remaining 2 holes but I'd like to repair it cosmetically and preferably structurally.
For the structural I can see several options:
1. I could get some 3/16 plate and sandwich the weak spot top and bottom to spread the clamping load; I'd also prop up the lower plate with a stack of washers. This would make it hard to get the top to look nice.
2. I could try to press out the sagged part and ask someone to weld it up. My worry is thta the cracks will propagate during the pressing and more so when heated.
3. I could ask someone to try to braze fill the sagged part?
4. I could leave the cracking alone and use filler and paint...
I haven't learnt to weld, so it would be off to the local garage for welding/brazing... which may not be economic for the value of the drill (which is otherwise in nice shape). Advice or other suggestions?