Re: Can I Weld This Motor Base With MIG?
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2016 8:33 pm
I want to think everyone for their help.
I think I actually succeeded in repairing the base. Notice I didn't say "welding" it. The mess I made is so sloppy, I'm not sure it even qualifies to be called a weld.
I used 308L wire. I had read that non-magnetic stainless was the thing to use. I heated the piece to somewhere above 100 degrees, according to the strange instructions I read elsewhere. Then I did what I ALWAYS DO 100% OF THE TIME. I started welding without turning the gas on.
I ground off as much of the spongy crap as I could and started over, with two small welds on the bottom side. I had the wire feed turned up, according to something I had read. What a mistake. I was only welding a few seconds, but I ended up with big globs again. Back to the grinder.
I beat the globs with a ball peen hammer and then ground off the excess. I never heard the "tinking" sounds you're supposed to hear when cast iron welds break. That's the main reason I'm posting this. I would like to know what went RIGHT. I can't understand why the welds didn't pop. Maybe because they're shallow? I only v'd out maybe 3/32", because I was afraid if I didn't leave some meat it would be hard to hold the pieces together while I welded. As it was, I had to use a Bessey clamp.
I ground off the new globs and did some more welding. Still too much wire, but no popping noises.
I removed as much excess metal as possible and tested the repair by yanking on it and beating it with the handle of the hammer. It's probably the worst weld in the universe, but it's aligned perfectly and will probably work well enough for the purpose of holding a motor down.
I may be able to clean it up some more if I can find the right rotary tool.
This went incredibly well, even though it looks like there is no possible mistake I failed to make.
I think I actually succeeded in repairing the base. Notice I didn't say "welding" it. The mess I made is so sloppy, I'm not sure it even qualifies to be called a weld.
I used 308L wire. I had read that non-magnetic stainless was the thing to use. I heated the piece to somewhere above 100 degrees, according to the strange instructions I read elsewhere. Then I did what I ALWAYS DO 100% OF THE TIME. I started welding without turning the gas on.
I ground off as much of the spongy crap as I could and started over, with two small welds on the bottom side. I had the wire feed turned up, according to something I had read. What a mistake. I was only welding a few seconds, but I ended up with big globs again. Back to the grinder.
I beat the globs with a ball peen hammer and then ground off the excess. I never heard the "tinking" sounds you're supposed to hear when cast iron welds break. That's the main reason I'm posting this. I would like to know what went RIGHT. I can't understand why the welds didn't pop. Maybe because they're shallow? I only v'd out maybe 3/32", because I was afraid if I didn't leave some meat it would be hard to hold the pieces together while I welded. As it was, I had to use a Bessey clamp.
I ground off the new globs and did some more welding. Still too much wire, but no popping noises.
I removed as much excess metal as possible and tested the repair by yanking on it and beating it with the handle of the hammer. It's probably the worst weld in the universe, but it's aligned perfectly and will probably work well enough for the purpose of holding a motor down.
I may be able to clean it up some more if I can find the right rotary tool.
This went incredibly well, even though it looks like there is no possible mistake I failed to make.
it's already on! SOB I'm an idiot!