Can this be tig welded?

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I bought a lathe and the pulley cover has a hole blown in it where it is supposed to lock the gear changing lever in place.I tried filling it with JB weld and it was no good it cracked already.Can the hole be filled with a tig welder or should I just pay $19 for a new one?Its cast aluminum.
Reply:I'd probably try to TIG it, take you 2 minutes to find out if it will work or not. Some times you need to weld , then grind out the crud and re-weld with castings.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Well my other problem is I don't own a tig welder. I was gonna see if a local shop could maybe give it a shot for $5 or something.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestWell my other problem is I don't own a tig welder. I was gonna see if a local shop could maybe give it a shot for $5 or something.
Reply:I guess il just buy it then is what it is.It can't be mig'd with a spool gun right has to be tig?
Reply:With copper backing and a deft touch, sure. let us know how it goes. Nothing to loose if you're going to throw it out anyway. Maybe a member in Brooklyn can help you out with a TIG, you'd have a better chance of success.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:The process is not the problem. Cost/benefit is.If a weldor owned a piece of equipment that needed a spot repair like that he/she would give it a try. To pay a professional $100+ to clean, prep and properly repair a part that can be replaced for around $20? I'll choose the sensible course every time.If the part was irreplaceable or very expensive, then repairng it would prove practical.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:I'd repair it, just 'cause I've got a TIG machine and am curious if the casting would weld up OK. We've already spent more than $19 on it as a team. SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Id charge at least $25-30 if I had to go through the frustration of dealing with patched parts! The prep takes 3x longer than firing off my machine and welding it!Clean it we'll and try the mig, like brazen said use copper backing behind the hole and fill it up!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:So I think I'm gonna take a random last ditch attempt before buying a new one. Can I use regular tig rods for brazing or should I buy the specific brazing rods Home Depot sells?
Reply:I just hate to buy a new one because it makes me feel like I didn't get a great deal on the cheap lathe.Anyway I figure it's probably scrap so I'm gonna attempt to braze it for the heck of it, mostly because I have nothing better to do and get to play with my torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestSo I think I'm gonna take a random last ditch attempt before buying a new one. Can I use regular tig rods for brazing or should I buy the specific brazing rods Home Depot sells?
Reply:The problem is why it broke in the first place. Repairing it will not solve that problem. Perhaps a new one made from steel is the solution. Are you sure it is not a zinc die casting?Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:You almost certainly can't get that fixed at a shop for under $19... I know I wouldn't bother, even if I had nothing else going on (unlike most shops).Last edited by MikeGyver; 07-24-2014 at 07:41 PM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Just buy a new one .
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverYou almost certainly can't get that fixed at a shop for under $19... I know I wouldn't bother, even if I had nothing else going on (unlike most shops).
Reply:Must be an echo in here I wonder how many more people can repeat the same thing not pertaining to the question at all.While I appreciate the replies and attempts at helping, I didn't ask who would be doing the work I asked if it was fixable...A friend gave me some aluminum brazing rod, I have nothing to loose by giving it a shot and if it doesn't work I'm back to square one ordering a new one anyway. I already know I probablyHad to order a new one, but at no cost to me I have nothing to loose and some people do enjoy tinkering with things tbey never tried before even if it's futile...
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestMust be an echo in here I wonder how many more people can repeat the same thing not pertaining to the question at all.While I appreciate the replies and attempts at helping, I didn't ask who would be doing the work I asked if it was fixable...A friend gave me some aluminum brazing rod, I have nothing to loose by giving it a shot and if it doesn't work I'm back to square one ordering a new one anyway. I already know I probablyHad to order a new one, but at no cost to me I have nothing to loose and some people do enjoy tinkering with things tbey never tried before even if it's futile...
Reply:Can you post a picture of the damaged one?  How big is the hole?  Is it in a flat area or somewhere near a corner / boss / etc.?  I would say clean it up really well and try brazing it.  At least you could learn something by trying.  Here's some info on aluminum brazing.  I'm sure there's lots more out there:http://www.aws.org/bsmc/wj1009-39.pdfP.S.  Don't forget to end drill any cracks to prevent them from propagating.
Reply:If it's a casting, after you clean it up by hand, consider outgassing it (450 def F for 30 min to an hour).  This is routinely done with castings before powdercoating to get oil and other junk out.  Follow up with sandblast and acetone rinse before welding/brazing.Also, they make flux-cored aluminum brazing rods, if you don't want to mess with separate flux.Last edited by dbotos; 07-25-2014 at 02:02 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestMust be an echo in here I wonder how many more people can repeat the same thing not pertaining to the question at all.
Reply:It was cast zinc after all...The replacement one is aluminum. All this based on assumption because the replacement part is 1/3 the weight of the original.
Reply:The grief came from the 5 dollar offer. I would say give me that beer back and leave please.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeThe grief came from the 5 dollar offer. I would say give me that beer back and leave please.
Reply:Here, this is what you needSqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/AOriginally Posted by BrazinHere, this is what you need
Reply:Oh fine,  just kidding SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by BrazinHere, this is what you need