Need advice on a repair

admin

My dad brought over his 70+ year old Radio Flyer sled and asked me to repair it. Apparently he tried to stick weld it at some point in the past, which took a lot of chutzpah, since the runner on this thing is paper thin. I was thinking of TIG welding it, but I am not sure if I can get this clean enough, and if is clean it up too good, there will be a section of runner missing that I will have to gap. It is super thin material and who knows what quality of steel it is since this was probably made during WWII or thereabouts. My choices are MIG or TIG I think. I could Oxy acetylene weld it as well, but I am more confident in my ability to TIG it to tell the truth.It doesn't have to be a show room/full on restoration quality repair, and I doubt if anyone will ever ride this sled again. Just want to make dad happy. Any thoughts or suggestions?Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Mig, hot tacking would be my choice.Wire wheel, and grind it clean.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:I thought about that. my only concern is I don't have any test material to dial my settings in with. I am afraid I will blow through it.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:You can still build it back up iffin ya blow through it.As AK mentioned Hot Tacks, let the bead cool, tack again, repeat as you build up the area.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I thought about that. my only concern is I don't have any test material to dial my settings in with. I am afraid I will blow through it.
Reply:Is that an old repair that broke?Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Is that an old repair that broke?
Reply:I'd hit it with my sand blaster, tig it up - your foot control will hook you up That's what I did on an old motorcycle frame that came in.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I do appreciate the input. I think I will clean it up and then decide. My mom brought me one of these popover pans to repair last year, and I tried to tack it with the MIG and ended up blowing a hole in one of the cups, which is why I am hesitant about the MIG.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:If you tig it you need to get it super clean on both sides
Reply:When it's that thin, it might help to use a big piece of aluminum or copper (preferred)  as a backer.   It will act as a heat sink, an alignment tool and will provide a backing surface for adding weld  to build it back up.Dan----------------------------Measure twice.  Weld once.  Grind to size.MIG:  Lincoln SP100 TIG/STICK:  AHP Alphatig 200X
Reply:That doesn't look paper thin to me?  Grind and/or wire brush it clean.  Clamp to backer bar and start carefully buttering each side of the break without burning into the backer.  Then remove backer, flip over, do some light grinding, and then build up to flush.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Go old skool and use the torch and a coat hanger or a piece of fancy nancy brazing rod.  I can't Tig nor do I have the equipment for it.  Thin metal for me gets the torch, but I was taught to do that long before I graduated to "anything dangerous"
Reply:It's old enough, a brazed and/or O/A welded repair/reenforcement will be period correct and blend right in. MIG/TIG/stick welding would stand out too much, in my eyes.
Reply:louie; if the sled isn't going to be used try silver soldering a small piece of steel made to to fit on the inside of the runner. sometimes silver (or their fake lookalikes) will stick to surfaces that aren't 100% cleani.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:If that was my repair I would cut maybe a piece of 14 gauge long enough to get into decent metal if u can.  If 70s-6 can be used by all means use it.  Another option would be Silocon Bronze tig filler
Reply:My two cents, you said you are confident with TIG. Go with your best judgement and TIG it. Prep it good of course and it looks like you may have to use a file to get in there. Then douse with acetone and be confident
Reply:I'm with Minnesota Dave and Insane ride, I'd tig it. Then perhaps weld on a strap on top. Then weld another strap on the other runner if you think it needs it.Cleaning it up is a no brainer regardless of which process you decide.JimJim,I don't mean to be argumentative and cantankerous,but I am getting older and a bit crotchety!Addendum; AND CRANKY
Reply:I would start with my 4" hummer disc in my die grinder and remove the old weld since it's crooked anyway. Then I would cut a section out of the bottom of the runner to get inside and clean out the old slag where he blew through. Once it's cleaned up find a short section of square tubing the will fit inside the tube. This serves 3 purposes, first you have something to clamp to that will hold it straight, it gives you some backing for your new butt weld, and it's the only way to get in there and straighten out that dent ahead of the brace. Once you have that, whether you MIG or TIG is just a question of what you are most comfortable with. Since it's not going back to the ski hill, just use soft wire that is easy to grind and make pretty again. The last step will be to replace the missing piece of the bottom of the runner and grind it smooth as well. Might seem like a lot of work, but it will look straight again. It doesn't matter which route you take, unless it's ground smooth and repainted, the weld is still going to show.Last edited by whtbaron; 01-30-2015 at 11:11 AM.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:I would TIG it.....I think that would give you the best heat control. It doesn't have to sparkle and TIG filler,even S2, has some deoxidizers in it.
Reply:.The overall condition of the sled is poor.I would be afraid some one would try to use it again and get hurt if the weld broke.You can buy a new Flexible Flyer sled.I would cut that old one up.
Reply:Weld it up!Kids don't ride Flexible Flyers any more!They don't know how!Look at the limited places they have to slide and most have a cheap plastic sled
Reply:MIG is for people who don't have or know how to TIG. I did acetylene weld one 40 years ago, my favorite sled. My repair looked good, but failed after a few runs down the road. We live in a town with no road crew. In those days the road was often like glass. I think the steel is closely related to automotive springs. If the repair is cosmetic only, preheat to the first stage of color change, then TIG with high carbon rod, or Hasteloy W. I've got a pound in a few sizes if you want to try it.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:The overall condition of the sled is poor.I would be afraid some one would try to use it again and get hurt if the weld broke.You can buy a new Flexible Flyer sled.I would cut that old one up.
Reply:Pretty sure no one with get hurt falling on snow anyhow.A broken runner can be deadly.The Flexible Flyer claimed to be safer than sleds that had straight runners sticking out the back.I remember some wrecks that busted up sleds.
Reply:Note that the break is at a rivet hole.Standard welding practice would be to put in a new section of runner from a doner sled or a whole runner.Do it right or not at all..Im an old man but I still do things right.Patch jobs usually fail.
Reply:Wow Im amazed how many people jumped in on your post..... Mig would be my choice also...Body shopsand hot rod fab guys have used mig forever on thinner sheet metal than your pops sled....even set too high a short burst should work just stitch it upand sand it off a bit Paint it and your done.....   Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Since it's a wall hanger for Dad, I'd hit the frame with red paint after you get the welding and grinding done, and use some Danish oil on the wood.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes