Can cast parts be welded? UPDATE (blasted part)
 

I went to my first Minuteman Model a Club meeting today with some friends from a local club i belong to. It was their auction night and I got a few good items.

One of the items i had purchased was this upper collumn mount bracket that I was looking at repairing. Isn't this a cast part? I know its original because it has the "M 1" stamped on it along with the #'s.

I have a mig welder. I have never welded on a cast part before tho. If cast parts can be welded, is it hard to do? Do i need special wire?

UPDATE: Page 2, post #22. part glass beaded.


http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2376/imag1754.jpg
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2433/imag1755.jpg
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/598/imag1756.jpg
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2536/imag1757s.jpg
Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

Yes it can check your local welding shops. engine repair places also.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

can it be done with a regular welder?

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

if it is cast steel you can mig weld it

if it is cast iron it won't be strong and will likely have some cracks

A spark test with a grinder can help you determine what metal you have.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_testing

Brazing will work for both and with properly fitted pieces in the holes can have results that require very little filing and grinding

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

I believe it is cast Iron.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

Thin cast iron can be very difficult to weld, it can crack if not done right. Brazing is the easiest way to go. A little filing and paint it will look just fine.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

I would assume its cast steel. Cast iron when that thin is very brittle. Worst case scenario try to weld it if it doesn't work clean it up and braze it.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

how hard is brazing? what can i get for doing small brazing? can i get a small brazing setup cheep like under 100 bucks?

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

Brazings not that hard just takes some practice like welding. Its more like soldering than welding. The gear I use is about 50 years olds but I believe its cheaper than welding.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

I found this but i dont know if i need something to use this. Is this even what i need for basic brazing?
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/plumbin...lux-41768.html

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

I actually like this and its at my local lowes: http://www.lowes.com/pd_26298-1703-K...zing&facetInfo=

Can i use this with a mapp gas torch? How Do i actually use them (the process of brazing with the torch).

Sorry for all the questions guys. just very interested in Brazing as it is a new field to me.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

The rods look right, I use a oxyacetalyne torch. You have to make sure the metal is absolutely clean. I'm sure if you do a youtube search you can find some guy showing you exactly how to do it.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

They make a brazing rod with a coating on the outside . It's fairly easy to braze practice first on scrap.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

Thanks for the Responces guys! i will do some more researching and youtube browsing.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

Hey there's always good ol Bondo.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

I hit a tree stump with my Cub Cadet and broke the mounting flange on one of the blade quills (the bearing holder in the deck). I used a MIG welder to weld it and it worked great.

The cast iron alternator bracket broke on the front end loader at work and I brazed it and it never broke again.

There is also a gas welding rod for cast iron. It looks like thin strips of cast iron and is used with the oxy/acc torch and a can of blue flux. Years ago I bought 6 HP stationary engine where the pin fell out of place for the cam roller. This wore the cam lobe completely away, except for a thin profile on the edge. I used the oxy/acc torch and cast iron rod to build the cam lobe back, and it looked like a new cam when done. So far the only place I can find this cast rod is the welding store in Watertown, S.D.

I've also welded a cast iron base for a milking machine vaccum pump by using my old Lincoln buzz box and nickel rod. That also worked fine.

So, I know of 4 ways to repair cast iron, and in your case I'd use the MIG welder and use a piece of copper for a backing to form one side.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

cut yourself a piece of metal that fits the hole and mig it right in, do the hole first. on the sides mig one side at a time and let cool it will be just fine.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

I don't believe that piece is cast iron,I think it is steel.I welded one and it welded up like butter.It looks like you only have to fill in some holes and edges.The big thing with the wire feed is the part has to be clean,blasted is best.just a dot of rust will screw you up.The hole will be the easiest part,just hold a piece of flat copper behind it and get a puddle going until it fills up.The edges are a little trickier.just getting an arc started can blow away more than is missing already.Unless you are real good at it it may be a good place for brazing.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

Cast iron can be welded. You will need to use an AC/DC stick welder and high nickle rods. You also want to pre heat the piece and cool it down slowly by burying it in sand after you weld it.

That part you have looks to be stamped steel.

Re: Can cast parts be welded?
 

Thanks again for the responses guys, Im gonna try and mig weld it today.