Thread: Broke my lathe

I have welded cast iron a few times on large tractors. I used to get a special rod from the welding shop. Honestly couldn't tell you what what it was as I just asked the guy at the counter for rod to weld cast and asked about amp settings. Believe it or not I had the same luck with aluminum fuel tanks on big rigs. That rod would disintegrate in a month and neither was cheap. I had a dog house welder. The big Lincoln 250 you see on structural iron construction sites and it would weld anything given the right rod and amps. I used to know a guy that did engine blocks so it can be done. Just find the right guy to do it. He should be able to come to you if your lathe is to big to carry. I would start asking at welding supply stores.

I have arc welded cast iron with ENI 99 rod its got this black flux outer caseing. Gives me a headache from the fumes as well. It was very hard to do correctly. First I ground out a bevel path for my bead to flow,I then heated the pieces with a rosebud acetylene torch till it was near glowing, not an easy task since that large lump of iron keep drawing out the heat.
I layed stick after stick to build up a large area It has stayed together for many years. It wouldnt hold any beauty awards either.
I am not a pro welder by any means but it got the job running so it all ended well.



As Sharptonn mentioned I too have seen cast iron brazed as well. They must of put a 5 lb box of bronze filler rod on it but it worked.
Good luck!!!

Heres one of my stupid moments I was pushing a tailstock forward it must weight 200 lbs as I'm shoving this monster I hadn't notices the compound dial was right in its path Snap-O-La the handle sheared right off.
This was a ENI 99 rod repair.


I'm such an idiot !!!!!

Originally Posted by Tarkus

I am not a pro welder by any means

Yeah Right! I seem to have an example of your handiwork which has the most amazing welds I have seen. Tell THAT to someone else!

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Heres one of my stupid moments I was pushing a tailstock forward it must weight 200 lbs as I'm shoving this monster I hadn't notices the compound dial was right in its path Snap-O-La the handle sheared right off.
This was a ENI 99 rod repair.


I'm such an idiot !!!!!

Now THAT looks like I did it! Betcha it won't break!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yeah Right! I seem to have an example of your handiwork which has the most amazing welds I have seen. Tell THAT to someone else!

Oh no sir what you so eagerly always told me was that you got the MarkII version which was true. My Mark I version was Arc welded Your swanky MarkII version was Tig welded but not from me, but from a buddy.
Cant take the credit
Darl

And here I was, thinking you had awesome welding skills!
You let me believe it!

Still! Amazing welds!