I learnt to weld oxy and stick back in early 1960's as a teen. Dad had a structral engineering shop. But I knew nothing about welding cast as far as I knew it was just another metal you could weld. I have a stick welder and an oxy set. On my farm I broke a cast iron vice no problem over to the local co-op purchase cast rods weld it up no problem. Couple of exhaust manifolds broken off on tractors that hit branches etc. Then another big heavy vice. No problem just used the stick welder and stuck them together again. Now retired and still with a good workshop I decided to restore a rare old 1922 tractor for the local historic village. It was hot when pumping water and it rolled into the cold water of the creek. This resulted in heaps of cracked cast. Sure says I, that'll be ok I can weld cast, done it before. However I thought I better check it out on the internet. "Cricky!" suddenly I found out welding cast is difficult. "Struth" what have I done? Oh well I"ll just have to read a bit more I guess. This forum seems like a good place to get advice. Must have been beginners luck before.


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