The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does anyone have a go to guy that welds cast iron? I had a crack in a motorboard that finally broke and needs to be welded together..HELP!!

Thanks

Joe

is it a structural part?
for the cast iron bed plate on my edison home which was destroyed by the famous USPS, i just superglued the corner back on because this machine will cost me so much to get back to working order anyways i didnt bother with welding, it holds up ok but i wouldnt put too much pressure on it.
if it is a structural piece, i would get a new one

Hey Kirtley

Nice little repair. May I suggest that you attempt to fill the crack with something like JB Weld and then paint with a black lacquer. Spray a little on tinfoil and dab it on carefully with a small paint brush. Once dry use a light touch with steel wool to blend the new and old.

Far better than crazy glue is epoxy the two part type.
Be sure to test it to make sure it hardens.But when epoxy is bonded properly
the strength is close to the same as cast iron.It must be completely clean of oil
and wax first.Use isopropyl alcohol for this.99% type.If you think glue is not strong
enough next time you fly in a plane realize that its probably glued together.

Hello Joe,

Can you post a photo of the break?

Just for sake of accuracy, cast iron cannot be welded, but it can be braised. Braising is melting a brass-based rod that adheres the cast-iron components together. Welding would evaporate the cast-iron. It is too high in carbon.

Just for the sake of accuracy, cast iron can to be welded. It usually requires a nickle filler metal and a skilled welder. Yes, it can also be brazed. Cast iron does not "evaporate".

Here's what Lincoln says:

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/su ... etail.aspx

Thanks for the clarification,. i've never encountered a welder who did anything but braise cast-iron.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5816184_weld-ir ... elder.html

This is how to weld with a wire welder. This method was used when repairing the left end mandrel bearing on an Edison Home. The part was pre heated, and then slowly welded a little at a time, there was no craking or problems, The part was welded from the inside of the casting. This method though will warrant a total repaint and stripe of the part. Edison seemed to use a high grade of cast iron, that welds easier than most.