Log splitter screw up

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This is supposed to be a heavy duty log splitter.Spark test both pieces.Tack and square.   Tacks broke real easy.  Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Tig weld, E70S-6  Arcmaster 185 Houghston, we have a problem:I wrapped a wet shirt around the rod,  It never got over room temp at the packing nut.Whaddyathink?    No charge, no guarantee.  "Fugly"sometimed you have those jobs.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I've done a few of them.   I usually bevel the rod almost to a point and then weld up with 7018.My name's not Jim....
Reply:is there a binding issue that caused this ?Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Should have been a full penetration weld.  My bet is it will fracture again.
Reply:David,Man I am typically a huge fan of your work.  but this one not so much.  I have would have handled it completely different.I would have welded a sleeve to the clevis mount and then drilled the piston for a through pin.  If i did weld the shaft, it would have been virtually a full pen weld.
Reply:Would 70s-2 been better for this?Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Sure that clevis isn't cast?. Looks like it from the sparks as well as the cracking of the initial bead you laid down. How'd it break, come up against a piece of knarley wood?...Mike
Reply:Now that I welded it, I am sure it IS cast.  The weld could have cracked for a couple of reasons.First the piece is cast, second it was not pre heated so the fist weld cooled too fast  and cracked.When I was making the tacks, the welds were grey instead of shiny metal.  This told me one part or the other was cast and too much carbon is mixing with the filler.  7018 may have been better.Look at the grain structure of the cylinder rod.  Its coarse as can be and grey too.  Picture #4 post #1 is the spark test of the rod.  It LOOKS like low carbon steel.  Yellow sparks with multiple tails.The rod broke because it was never tight in the clevis.  The stub  end is included in the second picture of spark test.  It was only threaded in 1/4 of the way and kept there by a set screw.I said in the beginning its a sh*t job.   The splitter is out working today, so we will see.  I told the customer no charge, no guarantee.   A new rod and clevis assembled properly is the cure.IF it were all carbon steel, the fillet would have been plenty.  All the pressure on the rod and clevis is compression.DavidLast edited by David R; 11-19-2011 at 07:12 AM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:so  i guess the spark test is not reliable..that pic looks  like ms..cast is supposed to be orange with no tails..
Reply:The best way for a rod to be attached is to push against the wedge or plate and be loosely pinned to pull it back on retract. That should have worked with out breaking.Last edited by tnjind; 11-19-2011 at 10:52 AM.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Iwould ditch the cast piece for a fabbed up steel on and use 309 with a full pin weld. Great rod for dissimilar metals. just my .02
Reply:From here, I'd speculate that the root problem is the factory design whereby  the rod's clevis yoke  is pinned to the wedge with a vertical pin, rather than horizontal. When the cylinder pushes hard and the main beam flexes and the wedge rolls, -which is typical- the cylinder rod has no way to compensate by hinging at the vertical pin, and thus the rod will tend to bend.It'd be worth considering turning the anchor at the wedge 90 degrees for a horizontal pin.But a horizontal pin may have issues the other way, so possibly eliminating the clevis and just pushing in a loose socket, as Thjind described, could be the answer.Good Luck
Reply:I'd have to agree with denrep. Torsional load.
Reply:Heavy duty? NotFrom here looks like nodular iron. As stated above 309 or a higher ni filler. Best fix, bigger beam (less flex) and some steel parts (will flex without cracking).PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:Thanks to everyone, I did learn from this job.   I was thinking of the 309 when I saw the cracked weld.    If (when?) it comes back, I will find a steel clevis and point the rod.  I sucked the rod all the way in before I started to make sure there was room for a fillet.  I have room to work Look at the last picture post 2.Castweld, will nodular iron have sparks like in post 1 picture 4?  By color and grain structure of the rod , I think you are right.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Steel has fewer side shoots or bursts, is a brighter color also and flies farther than iron.PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:Maybe it was a toilet log splitter.... guy gave it a hard time using wood  :PMy Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!
Reply:I will find a steel clevis and point the rod
Reply:The piston rods are usually made from T.G.P. shafting that is an alloy...http://www.speedymetals.com/information/Material63.htmlNot too tough to machine but it can get "Cranky" when it gets hot..I tig them when we replace the clevis ends on a bent rod with 70S-2 with no cracking problems whatsoever.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by mrmikeyGo for a chisel edge, a point is a pia to weld....Mike
Reply:More laterReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:This is the second side.  I cut  into the new welds from the other side.Final pass second side.  We took all afternoon.  85 amps.Thanks for the help.  David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:My son doing the job.   Next time we will cover the cylinder better.  It never gets warm near the packing nut with just the wet rags.Tig = no spatter.7018 no cracks.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:you said 85 amps.  3/32 rod?  just curious