Putting on a Hard edge

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I have managed to wear out the tines on my tiller, again...When I went to price them they are now EXPENSIVE, especially since I need 16 of them.My question to this group is...Does it make sense to take the NEW tines to a welder and have him lay a bead of HARD Steel on the leading edges and then grind a new edge.  I think they are already made of a high carbon steel, but I know that some of the welding sticks can put down a VERY hard coating....Would this be more trouble than its worth?  It is not only the cost of the tines, but it is the effort of having to change them as they are a PAIN to change...
Reply:If you were doing the welding yourself, it may be cost effective.  If you're hiring someone to do it for you, it may not be.  Your welder may also want you to remove the tines to make it easier for him to clean them and get access to weld them.  Then you're just comparing the cost of new tines versus welder's pay and materials.  Hardfacing rod is expensive $10 to 15 per pound versus $2 to 3 for "normal" rod.  The good news is you don't use a lot of hardfacing rod to do a job.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:the fotos i can recall of equipment thats been hardfaced is not ground to an edge, just the weldbead as it formed..id guess a few pounds would be all youd need for 16 tines, im aassuming they have about a 6" biting edge and a few passes would do it....?but then does the larger profile of the tine stress the power train with added resistance?Last edited by weldbead; 06-04-2011 at 11:03 AM.
Reply:Typically by the time the tines need replacing there simply isn't enough left to justify building them back up. I'd also be concerned that building them up and/or hard facing might cause them to loose there temper, most tines have a little spring or give to them to keep them from snapping off. Tines should be high carbon steel and hard faced when new. Once you work through the hard face... they wear quickly. I'd look for a thicker tine that should last longer.
Reply:consider buying new tines, since yours are currently worn to replacement. Hardface the new ones, and maintain them. They should last many times longer than these ones did.Weldanpower 225 G7Ironworkers Local #24
Reply:I would not take the NEW TINES to a welder...I would  get a welding machine and fix the old tines....Asking a bunch of welders and /or blacksmiths what to do gets skewed answers...LOLWeldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:I experimented with welding 1/4" x 2" by about 4" long mild steel to the worn out tines to rebuild them back to size. Then it was hardfaced with tungsten rod (yes, expensive).I have rocky soil and the tines have worn remarkable well with no bending, breaking, or other mishaps. However, the tines catch so much ground that the center tube that mounts to the tiller shaft spun out on two of the tine banks. It was a simple reweld job but that is a possibility if you go this route.(No wise cracks about the welding skills please. These were done about 20 years ago on a Lincoln AC tombstone. Not that my talent is much better nowadays. Farmer welders make farmer fixes.) Attached Images
Reply:I have forged new tines from old leaf springs, and have welded new ends made from springs onto the old tine stubs too. They do need to be ground to give the correct shape to the cutting edge, and do benefit from being hard faced while new. For that purpose, I have found a sweat-on tungsten carbide paste by  Wall Colmonoyworks well, but I have also used other products including those by Stoody.A few years ago, I found a company that sold replacement tines for most makes of tillers, the farm sized included, and its prices were pretty good,   but I don't find a bookmark for it so far. I do have one for chipper knives, but doubt they make tines too:http://www.tskgrinding.com/chipper_knives.asp
Reply:In some ' Farmer Mechanic " book I saw.... the hard facing application was designed to where it sharpened itself as it wore.   Anyone elaborate on that in the planning process... ?Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Originally Posted by GBMIn some ' Farmer Mechanic " book I saw.... the hard facing application was designed to where it sharpened itself as it wore.   Anyone elaborate on that in the planning process... ?
Reply:Originally Posted by GWD.....I have rocky soil......
Reply:Originally Posted by andyawhew! You do have rocky soil :d
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAWhew! you do have rocky soil