EZ Weld TIG rod for cast iron. Anyone use this stuff?

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Hi all,I was called on to repair a pinhole or crack that had developed in an antique drapery iron that uses a curved hollow plate that is steam heated to press and iron.  After removing the steam pressure and draining it, I ground out the crack and used some ni-rod to weld a 1" groove.  The crack returned.  It happened twice and I gave up to think another approach.After doing a little research I came across a youtube video about welding cast iron using a product called EZ Weld. Apparently they are hollow metal TIG rods that have some type of powder in them.  It is promoted as a way to weld cast iron without preheat.Anyone use this stuff?  The product contains no nickel, is promoted as having an excellent color match and is very malleable and will not crack as it cools..  Any thoughts on it?I didn't expect the the crack to return and I tried welding it 1/2" at a time (with peening) and thought it would work, but it didn't.  Would EZ Weld rod do the trick?  Here is a link to their web site:http://ezweldtigwire.com/about-ez-weld-tig-wire/ Attached is a picture from their site showing steel welded to cast iron and copper.  I believe they say it will also welding to titanium.  Also is a picture of the press plate that has a hole in it.Thanks for any help,Tony Last edited by therrera; 05-01-2015 at 02:34 AM.Reason: To add more information
Reply:If it's steam through cast iron, you are probably chasing rust on top of cast iron is a real headache to weld.   Getting a pressure tight seal on top of everything else.   Good luck...   buy it and try it if nothing else works.Looks like snake oil...  ask them for the MSDS.  It has to list what this "Electromagnetic powder" actually is.Last edited by soutthpaw; 05-01-2015 at 07:25 AM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:309 tig  rod works great on cast iron...the Ez weld sounds like 312 tig rod..Last edited by roadkillbobb; 05-01-2015 at 08:00 AM.Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Are you drilling the ends of the crack?
Reply:Welding cast iron has been covered extensively on the forum. A simple search will yield results.
Reply:I have some EZ Weld. Only Dale Davison knows what's in it. But it works! No "pinging" or cracking. Here's a link to my video using it.HF 98233 Stick/TigHF  95136 PlasmaEastwood TIG200Eastwood MIG250Damn, I cut it twice already and it's still too short!
Reply:Hi all, tigmaniac,thanks for the video.  My experience with cast iron in general is that if the piece is free to expand and contract without interference as in the case of the bottle opener, then cracking will not occur.  The real test would have been if you had been able to weld a crack in the center of a cast iron part such as in a machine base with a crack in the gusset somewhere.  I did not drill out the crack ends as it was a crack about 1/4" long.  The area I grooved was about an inch long mainly because the grinding disc created a larger area.I ordered the EZ Weld wire and will be taking it to try out.  I'll report how it does.Thanks,Tony
Reply:Is it patented? If so, then you might be able to find out by looking it up by patent number.
Reply:Smoke n mirrors.  The wire does not currently carry an AWS Classification.  MSDS --- > www.davbroinc.com/files/Davbro%20Wire%20msds.pdf"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Originally Posted by tigmaniacI have some EZ Weld. Only Dale Davison knows what's in it. But it works! No "pinging" or cracking. Here's a link to my video using it.
Reply:That MSDS is for a wire manufactured by Eureka Welding Alloys.  The guy selling it may be offering smoke n mirrors in repurposing one of Eureka's wires, but Eureka is an old line specialty filler manufacturer.  Much of their line doesn't have AWS numbers as it is for welding specific tool steels.  They have rods for most tool steels, even HSS.As for the original post, it is possible the repair will need to be mechanical rather than welding.  Look up lock-n-stich or irontite.  They are tapered cast iron plugs, similar to pipe plugs.  They are drilled so they overlap like shingles and work well for sealing cracks that can't be properly welded.
Reply:Hi and thanks for the feedback.  I went out last Monday for the second time and used the EZ Weld Tig rod this time.  To my dismay, the crack returned.  I am going once more tomorrow and drill out the crack and attempt to seal it shut with the EZ Weld rod.  The rod flows very smoothly.  Tig gave me much more control than using the ni-rod smaw.  I think that grinding out the crack was not enough as I did not go all the way through.  Drilling it out "should" do the trick as  I will be able to take the area out altogether.  The crack is very small and a 1/4" drill bit should take all of it out.I will look into the lock-n-stitch method and will suggest it to the client if my effort fails again.I'll let you guys know how it goes.Tony
Reply:Hi all,I went out last Monday and drilled out the crack / hole with a 3/16" bit, filled it in and it held under pressure.  That's what I should have done from the beginning.  I was timid to do so as I was afraid that the it might not work and I would make the damage worse.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained?Thanks,Tony