Cast iron welding

[Newgene]

New member just in and would like to find out about repairing the top on my old pot bellied stove. I am sorry I am at work and don't have the name of the stove with me if I have it all. The crack is from the edge of the stove pipe opening for approximately 6 inches to the edge. I would entertain any ideas to repair it or is there any place to order a new top with the measurements furnished?

Newgene

 

[wtyamamoto]

If it's cast iron, the usual method of repair would be arc-welding.

 

[Homefire]

If it's cast iron, the usual method of repair would be arc-welding.

Unless you have the equipment to do this you should take it to a shop
that has heating and cooling oven to do this job.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

New member just in and would like to find out about repairing the top on my old pot bellied stove. I am sorry I am at work and don't have the name of the stove with me if I have it all. The crack is from the edge of the stove pipe opening for approximately 6 inches to the edge. I would entertain any ideas to repair it or is there any place to order a new top with the measurements furnished?

Newgene

The general procedure for fixing an exhaust manifold (= cast iron) leak crack is to cut out a groove over it with an angle grinder, and then to weld a bead over it to fill it in again. How big is the crack?

 

[bruce56bb]

calling spike.........

 

[Roospike]

Welding cast is quite a process and its not just about welding it also key to control the heat temperature and the slow cooling process to avoid stress and cracking.

#1 Find out what the new part will cost to replace . Replace with new if you can , this will likely be your best option.

#2 Call around to welding and fabrication shops to find out first who does proper cast iron repair and get there shop rate. The cheapest isn't always the best but some shops are busy and can quote high prices on the overload work to see if the fish are biting or will bite. Shop rate can range from $40. to $75. an hour , Mobil is higher and is not needed in your case. The whole process can be timely.

 

[Robbie]

I think he told me it was an older stove handed down through his family (Newgene is a pal of mine), in this case it just might be worth the expense of welding.

Newgene, you may want to try to find a name or a number on this stove, that might help locate a part if you don't have it welded.

I'm sure the people on this forum can help you solve this problem.



Robbie

 

[kd460]

Like Roospike mentioned earlier, very tough to weld. Probably have better luck with nickel braizing/filling, but even then it's a real pain. Metal needs to be heated, then repaired, then cooled slowly, then after put back into service, it can crack again in another spot. Better off trying to replace part if possible.

Post the make and model and we can help locate your part. KD

 

[Elderthewelder]

All very good advice, I would however shy away if the repair was going to be brazed, remember this is a stove part and gets very hot through normal use, and all the heating, cooling and reheating may weaken the braze and allow it to fail. If it were me I would probobly TIG weld it with a high nickel based filler rod as you can control you heat much better with TIG than with any other welding method, but thats just me, I have welded a few cast parts by doing this and had good results, but I would not call mayself a expert on cast by any means, ( I have however welded alot of cast aluminum, not that it applies here) But like others have said, if that part can come off the stove, find a shop that is comfortable in welding cast and take it to them

 

[drizler]

I agree with removing it if possible. Here is a very good web site you might ask on. http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/index.php It shouldn't be all that hard but doing it yourself could ruin the part so get someone who knows what he is doing if you can. Arc welding cast iron is more of an art than anything else and its easy to mess it up unlike steel. The Nickle 99 rod they have today make it a lot easier than it used to be though.

 

[Newgene]

Thanks for all the input on the welding. I finally had time and the sense to look for the name and model. I would really like to get a whole new top for the stove. The name of the stove is a Baron
#21. I would appreciate if anyone has this top or knows where to get one as a new cast from a foundry. Also, the age approximately if possible. My Dad had the stove for years.

Newgene

 

[Newgene]

It is probably a long shot, but has anyone come up with a foundry or company that might have a new top for the Baron #21 pot bellied stove of mine.

Thanks,
Newgene

 

[MrWinkey]

Quick google search found this place sells Baron stoves. Not too many other hits on that stove but that place may carry parts.

If you do get it welded make sure you get a good shop and I would have them TIG it if possible. I've also done some TIG welding on the leg of an old cast iron stove that parts are not made for anymore. It came out OK but this also was not a critical element and not subject to alot of heat.

Good luck

(broken link removed to http://www.drolet.ca/product.aspx?CategoId=1&Id=300)