Author Topic: Welding Cast Iron (Read 2365 times)

Groover · « **on:** May 20, 2020, 12:09:38 PM »

I was moving some vintage patio furniture around, and being these things are heavy, I used a folding dolly... well, that folded on me when I was "motocrossing" through the yard, the bench then fell off and one of the leg mounting tabs snapped. The legs are cast iron. Can cast iron be welded?

RinkRat II · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2020, 12:22:16 PM »

Most definitely, depending on the quality of the iron. Vee out the crack, pre heat with a torch and weld with Nickel rod on the lowest heat setting possible for the size of rod, (Stick welding)
I'm not sure on mig or tig

Paul B

dxhall · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2020, 12:57:13 PM »

And pack the weldment in sand immediately to slow cooling as much as possible. Not a job for amateurs.

larrys · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2020, 02:00:32 PM »

Quote from: RinkRat II on May 20, 2020, 12:22:16 PM

Most definitely, depending on the quality of the iron. Vee out the crack, pre heat with a torch and weld with Nickel rod on the lowest heat setting possible for the size of rod, (Stick welding)
I'm not sure on mig or tig

Paul B

Same method for TIG. Preheat, nickel rod, lowest heat possible.
Larry

Rebochi · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2020, 02:21:03 PM »

You will get a better weld with Acetylene torch using cast iron rod with cast iron (Borax) flux. Vee the break and preheat the area.

Groover · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2020, 03:41:44 PM »

Ok, thanks guys. I'll have to take it somewhere around here whom does it. Just wasn't sure if it could be done.

Ncdan · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2020, 07:04:49 PM »

Quote from: Groover on May 20, 2020, 03:41:44 PM

Ok, thanks guys. I'll have to take it somewhere around here whom does it. Just wasn't sure if it could be done.

Can this material be brazed?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2020, 07:34:59 PM »

Quote from: Ncdan on May 20, 2020, 07:04:49 PM

Can this material be brazed?

Yes. Brazing works well.

Groover · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2020, 09:24:30 PM »

Would brazing be strong enough to support the weight of someone sitting on the bench?

moto-uno · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2020, 09:47:55 PM »

I would suggest a couple of reinforcing tabs on the back . Peter

MMRanch · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2020, 10:24:36 PM »

I have welded cast iron w/mig but only use short runs and low temps . So , run a 1/2" bead then walk away for an hour. It will crack the original material if ya get it too hot.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2020, 11:11:40 PM »

Quote from: Groover on May 20, 2020, 09:24:30 PM

Would brazing be strong enough to support the weight of someone sitting on the bench?

"Brazing differs from welding in that the temperature is considerably lower and does not melt the base metals. Rather, the heat source melts a filler metal and draws it into the joint by capillary action. It creates a metallurgical bond between the filler metal and part surfaces.

Like welding, joint strength often exceeds that of the individual parts"
Google.
So yes

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2020, 06:30:44 AM »

Quote from: Groover on May 20, 2020, 09:24:30 PM

Would brazing be strong enough to support the weight of someone sitting on the bench?

Sure. As far as I'm concerned, it would be my method of choicel

cliffrod · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:18:09 AM »

I would would also braze this repair. As long as joint is clean and properly fluxed, it will make a strong and sound repair.

I would be less confident in welding this low value, mystery recipe cast iron- especially while trying to attach one very small piece to one much larger piece.

Groover · « **Reply #14 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:21:17 AM »

Ok, thanks again guys.

Canuck750 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 21, 2020, 10:54:33 AM »

Many years ago my wife brought home her great grandmothers homestead stove, parts were broken and her cousins delivered it in the back of a pick up and the trip resulted in the legs breaking off. I thought it was junk but I found a heavy duty engine repair shop that fixed cast iron. The old guy in the shop said to leave it with him and not call to bug him for at least six months!

Well about six months latter I get a call to say come and get the stove. I could not believe my eyes, it was all repaired to new. And to top it off they only wanted $200 bucks!!

They placed the broken pieces in a sand casting and re-cast the parts, amazing.

all four legs had snapped off and the door, and lower body were busted.

The repair shop did this for love of craftsmanship, I will never forget their kindness

wirespokes · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2020, 12:07:57 PM »

What a cool story! And I can certainly understand presenting it like the artwork it most definitely is! Gorgeous piece!

Ncdan · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2020, 12:15:37 PM »

Quote from: wirespokes on May 21, 2020, 12:07:57 PM

What a cool story! And I can certainly understand presenting it like the artwork it most definitely is! Gorgeous piece!

Now that’s the old time way of doing things when men and women took pride in their discipline. 👍

Groover · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2020, 12:15:40 PM »

That is an amazing story, and impressive stove! Are the chrome looking parts polished somehow, or chromed?

moto-uno · « **Reply #19 on:** May 21, 2020, 01:38:25 PM »

Did repairs and rebuilds on old barber chairs , and they all were plated in nickel , chrome came along later . Peter

Cdn850T5NT · « **Reply #20 on:** May 21, 2020, 01:40:19 PM »

Likely nickel plated... not chromed.

Cdn850T5NT · « **Reply #21 on:** May 21, 2020, 01:41:15 PM »

Ha! You beat me to it lol...

Roebling3 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 21, 2020, 01:46:35 PM »

The finished product is wonderful to see - and relate to. Thank you for taking the time to include the picture Good fortune, R3~

Groover · « **Reply #23 on:** May 21, 2020, 02:59:00 PM »

I love nickel, by far more than Chrome - personal preference. Looks awesome!

wirespokes · « **Reply #24 on:** May 21, 2020, 04:33:41 PM »

Quote from: Groover on May 21, 2020, 02:59:00 PM

I love nickel, by far more than Chrome - personal preference. Looks awesome!

I love the look of nickel plating also. It's my understanding that nickel is what makes chrome look as it does. The chrome is supposedly like a clear coat and actually quite thin.

I can relate to Jim's story and how those workers felt. I know when I have a skill, it's fun working magic with it and the creating of the effect is worth more than any monetary gain. There's something fun about exercising those abilities. I recall a point where it had been several months or half a year since anyone sent me a speedometer to fix. Finally one came in and it was so pleasurable using the tools and skills I almost had to thank the owner for sending me the work.

Canuck750 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 21, 2020, 05:52:59 PM »

Quote from: Groover on May 21, 2020, 12:15:40 PM

That is an amazing story, and impressive stove! Are the chrome looking parts polished somehow, or chromed?

The plating is nickel, there are some missing parts, there should be scroll shaped vertical wings on each side of he stove, they were 'lost' in transit from the farm.
We believe the stove dates to 1905. My wife's great grand parents left Glasgow to homestead in eastern Alberta along the Saskatchewan border. They were city people and her great grandfather was a butcher by trade, I can not begin to imagine the hardships they endured but endure they did.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #26 on:** May 21, 2020, 07:27:06 PM »

Quote

I can not begin to imagine the hardships they endured but endure they did.

There's a lesson for us somewhere in that.. <shrug>

SmithSwede · « **Reply #27 on:** May 21, 2020, 09:37:06 PM »

One side of my family runs a foundry in Georgia, ever since 1882. We once welded an old sign they cast from iron, and it emitted an amazing amount of smoke. I think this old iron is 2/3 iron and 1/3 solidified smoke.

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Author Topic: Welding Cast Iron (Read 2365 times)