monoloco
Elite Nomad
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Repairing Cast Iron
I broke the cast iron bracket that holds the belt guard on my mid-1940's Walker Turner bandsaw. Might not seem like a big deal, but for me it was like
smashing the grill on a 57 Nomad. What's the best way to repair cast iron? Brazing? Epoxy? Here's some photos:
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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braze it!
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taoswheat
Junior Nomad
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Registered: 11-29-2007
Location: Taos, NM USA
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I have had pretty good luck on cast iron with my MIG and regular mild steel wire. It is not the recommended method but it has worked for me.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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I might consider taking it off, if possible, and making a new one out of steel...or aluminum.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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55steve
Senior Nomad
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I have used my MIG many times to weld cast iron - the trick is to preheat the cast to around 500-600 degrees and have at it. It may actually work
better with a flux-cored wire rather than regular solid wire with gas.
| Quote: | Originally posted by taoswheat
I have had pretty good luck on cast iron with my MIG and regular mild steel wire. It is not the recommended method but it has worked for me.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
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From your pictures I can't tell where it goes or how it holds the guard so I'll give a general reccomendation:
Cast iron varies greatly in quality and repairability. Typically older American made machinery is pretty good stuff and responds well to electric
welding (stick, mig, tig, etc.) when done properly.
If appearance isn't a big issue and it isn't an important structural member, brazing by someone who knows how to do it would be a good option. Brazing
is also a better process for lesser quality cast iron or when the quality can't be easily determined
If it were an important structural member (i.e. holding something heavy over your head) I would reccomend replacing it or making a new one out of mild
steel.
Keep in mind that the original part broke, a repair on cast iron won't be as strong as the original part.
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
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The bracket is a crescent shaped affair that only holds that deco looking belt guard which hinges from the top of the crescent. I think I'll take it
to a fairly talented fabricator that I know and see if he can braise it.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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Damn you're hard on tools ... 
Worry about someone "picking" it up and walking off with it 
[Edited on 11-11-2013 by wessongroup]
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rogbag
Nomad
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Location: Los Barriles, BCS
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It can be welded, but the broken pieces have to be brought up to a high temperature first. And it takes a special welding rod. Or it can be brazed. I
suggest that you ask the local how he welds cast iron before you give it to him to be welded. If the guy doesn't talk about heating it up first then
you should find another welder until you find one that answers the question correctly.
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RnR
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 5-1-2010
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More than you ever wanted to know....
Lincoln Arc Welders -- Welding Cast Iron
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
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Thanks for that.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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