Materials

Preparing cast iron for welding

Quick answer

Prepare cast iron by cleaning grind the casting skin off, drill small stopper holes at crack ends. On this material, cleanliness decides weld quality more than machine settings do.

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The prep routine

  • grind the casting skin off, drill small stopper holes at crack ends
  • Clamp or tack so the joint can't walk as heat goes in
  • Check fit-up: gaps eat filler and heat control
  • For multi-pass, brush and inspect between passes