crack repair

admin

Well I have my first red cross repair job for the local High School where I coach. One of our head coaches caught a fence post with a John Deere greens mower and bent and cracked the 1/4 inch thick steel bracket that holds , raises and lowers the rollers. I was able to get it back in alignment with my press, a little heat and a BFHMy question is how best to weld the crack. It is tight fitting now so I am going to grind it out some on both sides and drill a hole at the base of the crack. At least that is what I am thinking, but please let me know if I am on the right track or if there is a better way to repair it. It is a close fit so I can't use a reinforcement plate on either side.Thanks Ray
Reply:If it's steel there is no need to stop drill the crack. Grind it from one side and fill it.  Then grind the other side deep enough to get to the root of the weld you put on the other side. Fill it and grind it.  Leave all of the reinforcement that you can and still have clearance.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Always drill stop- the crack. ALWAYS! Then grind it, and go. If you need to 2 pass it to get it filled, and set up correctly, then do so. Do not grind the weld after you are done. Just paint it and let it be.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Thanks for the help guys After bending the part back in shape I drilled a hole at the base of the crack, ground out one side and welded it with two passes, then did the same to the opposite side I only ground off the weld where the pins were going to be inserted.It looks  good and is back in service.