Technoweld.

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Hello everyone,Don't know if this method is frownd upon,but it's the only option I had at the time.   Thought you might like to see this,  Monster of a Wolf drilling machine (3/4" chuck). that a "friend" dropped, and managed to snap the handle casting (aluminium,magnesium,other)? just don't know.This happened months ago before joining this site so only photo's I bothered to take were "before and after" My son Michael is a design and technology teacher and gave me a couple of these technoweld rods to try, I,d never  even heard of them before,Anyway, looked on the web for instructions and methods etc. Made a jig to locate the handle and after managing to juggle with the torch,filler and stainless stirring rod everything went well,just like brazing really.Drill has had quite a bit of use and repair is holding up fine.Best regards from the U.K.  Gordon, Attached Images
Reply:Could you post the exact name of rod and manufacturer, also supplier.This could be the answer to many unweldable metals, mainly "pot metal".Can't tell you how many tool, machine part, and other castings are made of this sh##.Thanks"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Hello farmersamm.    The rods I used were  www.techno-weld.com  But just checked google with   aluminium brazing  and got quite e number if results, Including  HST-2000  and  Durafix, think both these companies are in the USA.  Hope this helps P.S. Almost forgot i'v also rpaired a broken aluminium mounting flange from a toyota starter motor and that is still OK too.Best regards  Gordon.
Reply:Thanks GordonI have a pneumatic grease gun with a broken casting, and I hate to throw it away, also an old paint gun with same problem.I'll give it a try.  WTH, the things are already useless, so I might as well try something new."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I've seen a number of similar rods listed by different companies here in America.All-State has/had two for aluminum;  #55 Rubbon is a low-temp (700*F) high-strength solder which uses no flux and #509 Strongset is a zinc-cadmium low temp. (500*F) solder of about 30K psi strength. For zinc alloys, their # 53 has a working temp. of 700*F and a strength of 28K psi; it is recommended for things such as carburetors, door handles,fuel pumps, etc..  but joint backup is recommended.Rods similar to these have been advertised on TV 'infomercials' as miracle rods, and there, look easier to use then putting butter on pancakes. It's never that easy, we all know. The local shops here used to have small catalogs to promote products so I picked up a few in my early welding days, and add new ones occasionally. Companies include Lincoln, All-State, Unibraze, Uniweld, Stoody, and MG ( now part of Messer ). I haven't looked online but suppose the information is all there now.
Reply:Good looking repair, Gordon. Haven't seen one of those Wolfs for a while. We had one where I served my apprenticeship and from memory, it had piece of pipe screwed in opposite the handle, so two guys could drill. Had a real kick if it ever grabbed. You used to see drillpresses for them too.Is the Wolf brand still around or was it combined, taken over or just failed."One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:Hello Tractapac,                      I'v had this machine quite some time, It originally earned it's keep in a shipyard, I still have the pipe handle,only removed it for the repair,along with a complete strip,clean and commy skim, Don't know if wolf are still independent or taken over by a bigger brand name. I bet the quality has suffered, They used to be great tools.You are right, If this drill ever "digs in" you went round with it!!Best regards  Gordon
Reply:Hello Gordon, ours was always referred to as "The Widowmaker"My father worked on an ICI site in Yorkshire and he says he's seen one throw both "operators" off and then continue on unitl it wound up all the cord and unplugged itself.When I first saw the title to your thread I thought you might have been welding to techno music (thump thump thump) I thought "Oh next we'll have House welding." and rap welding."One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:I see you're in Cleveland, the site dad worked at was Wilton Bank, not so far from you, I think.Last edited by Tractapac; 10-21-2008 at 06:29 PM.Reason: typo (again!!)"One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:Hello Tractapac,                       I have worked on the Wilton site your dad mentioned among others for over 30years "in the good old days" when the whole comlex belonged to ICI,and a good employer they were too. My squad worked on all the rotating machinery from,steam turbine generator sets to titanium plant Pegson crushing machines.The Wilton "Bank" you refer to is just that, A steep hill on a country road about a mile from the Wilton site.the road sign is near the plant and people do think it refers to the chemical complex,  Lovely to talk to someone that knows about my home turf. Best regards from the U.K.   Gordon.
Reply:Super repair job!  I like seeing old tools repaird and keept in working condition.  it is often hard to find the same quality today.With a little research I find the Wolf name has been resurrected:  http://www.wolf-online.co.uk/aboutus.asp  But I haven't been able to learn the complete history.-MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.