Cast iron..

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

.. we've an old cast iron base that has broken (dropped).  Mrs A wants it fixed!  I don't think you can fix cast iron, am I right?  Or could it be welded somehow? 



Ta.

[Aunt Maud]

I think it needs heating up before welding to have any chance of success.

[pcolbeck]

You could try JB Weld epoxy. Its supposed to be able to fix cast iron.

[mrcharly-YHT]

It can be welded but I think brazing would be better for this fix. Best to take it to a specialist for welding. I would not try JB weld epoxy as that would make it really difficult to weld or braze if it didn't work.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Some types of cast iron can be reliably welded with the right rods and welding process (which usually includes preheating). Some types of cast iron can't ever be reliably welded.

http://www.reliance-foundry.com/castings/cast-iron#gref links to advice on welding cast iron.

[benborp]

It is possible to weld cast iron but it is difficult. It is also very easy to weaken the metal around the weld as micro-cracks form in the cast-iron but this can be minimised by pre-heating. It is also difficult to make attractive cast iron welds so lots of grinding may be required.

With that fracture I would grind away a lot of material from the underside of the piece and fill the gap with several passes. I would then try to restore the appearance using one of the epoxy pastes to fill cracks and depressions. Bricomarché sell rods for cast iron if you have an inverter although I think a handful cost about €30. You would be able to get them cheaper elsewhere but might have to buy a couple of hundred. If there is a local specialist that would handover a few for a nominal amount it would be easier to get them to attempt a repair.

[pcolbeck]

Does that say "Singer" on the base? Is it from a Singer sewing machine? If so since they made millions of the things it might be easier and cheaper to find a replacement one.

[Quisling]

There are specialist garages that do welded repairs to classic cars which had cast iron engine blocks.  Someone like that may be able to help.

[Brucey]

I agree with LWaB.

But FWIW that looks like a pretty shonky piece of grey cast iron to me. Really difficult to weld at all. leave alone weld well.

 Much easier to replace the part in most instances.

cheers

[rogerzilla]

Crackd in cast iron blocks are usually "stitched".

[Quisling]

Crackd in cast iron blocks are usually "stitched".

**Googles**

I bow to your superior knowledge RZ. I was working from my flagrantly poor recollection of something I once saw on the tell.

As you were

*exits thread sheepishly**

[Jurek]

^ Every day is a school day.
In all my years..... I've never come across that before.

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

Thanks for the replies. 

To save a lot of mucking about have decided to scrap it. 

[De Sisti]

Gorilla Glue would have sort that break.

[Zipperhead]

^ Every day is a school day.
In all my years..... I've never come across that before.

If you read Leo Villa's* book "The Record Breakers", he mentions various RR engine blocks being stitched

* Malcolm & Donald Campbell's mechanic.

[hulver]

Weirdly, after reading this thread, This video about "Cast Iron Crack Repair" appeared on my youtube suggestions. Is Google reading YACF? 

[dim]

Weirdly, after reading this thread, This video about "Cast Iron Crack Repair" appeared on my youtube suggestions. Is Google reading YACF? 

[mrcharly-YHT]

Eh - what is that pic about and what does it have to do with this thread?

[rogerzilla]

I think it's a tinfoil hat meme.