DIY Gunsmithing Gone Wrong

tigrr said:
It's more than just cracked now!! It could be done but with proper gas shielding, carbon strips, preheated and a mig gun. Then the inner rails would have to be re-machined. In 33 years of welding the only thing that is impossible to weld is a cast aluminum sewing machine base, that is saturated with mineral oil all the way through.
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In 33 years of welding, you should know that you don't put carbon anywhere near aluminum. Nor should you even attempt to fix something like this with a MIG.

I've welded cast aluminum valve covers and oil pans. If it's made with a decent base material, it's weldable.
 
Anyad Pitchaya said:
Good old fashioned gas weld with a coat hanger as filler wire after a solvent soak and bake out. Controlled heat input and stepped heat and deposition is key to welding cast materials. A skilled gas welder could makes the welded joint every bit, but no more stronger than the parent metal, causing none of the distortion, hard spots, weakening of heat affected zone, etc. that may be problematic with other welding methods, including GTAW (tig).
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Good old fashioned, NOT happening with aluminum.

And a coat hanger?? Barf.
 
That isnt a "because its cast" problem.

That is a it is pure ####ty cast alum. problem.

Welding cast alum is not hard at all, Sometimes a bit frustrating but that is it.
If that wasnt built from pop-cans and old car rims it would have welded up just fine.
 
Soulfly said:
Good old fashioned, NOT happening with aluminum.

And a coat hanger?? Barf.
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The assumption was that it was cast steel.

I used to weld cast fittings to heavy equipment fuel tanks with coat hanger wire for a very large yellow heavy equipment company.

Penetrant tested my own welds. Tanks and fittings were pressure tested.

Hope you didn't get any on you.
 
Probably have to have it completely re blued professionally, cerakote might be the better alternative or Gorilla tape.
 
Whats awesome is that you, with superduper welding skills couldnt see right off the bat that its an aluminum piece.

But hey, i hear coat hangers are better than purpose based filler rods. How stupid of everyone, spending $$ when raiding holiday inn is all thats needed.

Anyad Pitchaya said:
The assumption was that it was cast steel.

I used to weld cast fittings to heavy equipment fuel tanks with coat hanger wire for a very large yellow heavy equipment company.

Penetrant tested my own welds. Tanks and fittings were pressure tested.

Hope you didn't get any on you.
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