How to weld this broken piece on F-20 bolster-PIC-

Evan Mellott from Iowa · May 24, 2013

Can I use a standard mig welder and make it work? I"d run short beads so it doesn"t get too hot and crack.
Option 2- I have some welding rods (Cast Iron 77?), but I would have to borrow a neighbor"s arc welder.

I can tell it"s been broken for a while. Thanks

clint s · May 24, 2013

Do not know much about welding, but here is a video on no pre heat welding cast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yopcz-IYDyQ.

I know normally you have to heat it and let it cool slow

Phil Tibbetts · May 24, 2013

If you are going to weld it I would get someone who has experience welding cast iron. I worked in maintenance all my life and leave welding of cast iron to the professionals. I can do a pretty good job on steel but there is a knack to cast that only experience can teach. If it is not done right it may be messed up so bad that nobody can weld it so it will hold. IMO

D7fever · May 24, 2013

The mig will not do the job. The cast rods might do it, however it looks like a critical piece, so unless you know what you are really doing, let a professional do the job. I weld cast iron, and I usually have good luck, but you need to use ni-rod made for the job, and I would pre heat and post heat. Have to v it out first too.
Good luck

Tom Fleming · May 24, 2013

There is a specific heat-up and cool-down process cycle that MUST be followed to successfully weld cast iron. Ni rods are best for what you are looking at, and they are expensive!!!! However, they also do a top notch job.

So, unless you have a furnace to heat the bolster in, and then a sand or lime pit to cool it down slowly, you cannot do the job right.

Cast iron can be welded and welded well, but it is not like welding steel.........

Earl-IL · May 24, 2013

Is there something special about this bolster? If not get a used one.

Nebraska Kirk · May 24, 2013

That broken piece is not critical to the bolster's strength, I would either braze it or just get a different one. I have several parts F20s with good bolsters, very rarely does someone need one, so they get thrown in the scrap pile most of the time.

Brownie 450 · May 25, 2013

Use nickel rod with a D.C. reverse polarity. As noted earlier, use NI-CI rod---1/8 inch. Weld an inch or two then let cool. Pre-heat if possible.
Vee the area to be welded.

How to weld this broken piece on F-20 bolster-PIC-

Evan Mellott from Iowa

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clint s

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Phil Tibbetts

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D7fever

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Tom Fleming

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Earl-IL

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Nebraska Kirk

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Brownie 450

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