MIG Welding Steel to Cast Iron for a Redneck Vise Repair (Video)

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Goodafternoon, everyone!!So, I just posted another video, figured I'd stop in and share it real quick...Basically, I recently built a replacement for my old Craftsman bench vise... And not being one to leave well enough alone, I decided to rehabilitate the thing for future use...And one of my largest complaints about that particular vise, is that it "turns" too easily... When you go to crank down on something, it swivels to the side and when you try to tighten down the swivel-lock thing, the tensioning bar/handle bends...So, I decided to come up with my own solution.Since I rarely if ever swivel a vise, I decided that the way to go here would be to make a base plate, weld it to the vise, and bolt it to the table, so thats exactly what I did...I cut out a plate from some 1/2" scrap metal, and got to work... I tacked it in place with a no-preheat welding technique, and then got out the rosebud. I gave it a nice long and as-even-as-i-could-get-it heating, just to warm things up a bit and relieve stress...At which point I began the welding process...My choice of filler for this job was 308L Stainless Steel mig wire... I know its not "good-enough" for our resident know-it-alls, but its something I see as an inexpensive and commonly used, widely accepted method for non-critical welds on cast-iron, or cast-to-steel applications like this... Its something that a lot of people swear by, and have had success with in the past, so it was my go-to wire for this job...I put down three welds of a couple inches in length each, to limit heat input and help reduce stress... At which point I started peening my welds, and then I buried the entire piece in sand, and let it slowly cool down for a few hours:[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ezdKaF81Sk[/ame]I'm VERY pleased with how this turned out, my trusty old vise is back on the road to being used, and I got to try mig welding cast iron to steel, which I'd never done before...If I were going to do this repair again, I'd probably do something different for my pre-heat... I felt that it was tough to heat something of this shape with a torch, and I'd probably find an oven of some kind, or even a BBQ grill, and let it warm all the way through for a few hours before welding...Anyway, just thought I'd share the video, hope you guys enjoy it. Have a great week, everyone [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:You screw up the metallurgy on a vise with two mounting holes to add two more, for what practical purpose I do not know.  Just because you can weld it with the wrong process doesn't make it right, even if you think you got away with it.  Hell, son, buy a couple old books off the web, like the old Lincoln or Linde books for about $8.   Read all about cast Iron and the welding thereof.  It ain't mild steel.  Lanse, I like your can-do attitude and your enthusiasm.  But don't be coming across as an expert or say something is good enough just because you seemed to have gotten by with it.  I am not a welder or a metallurgist, but I am enough of an enthusiast to know something isn't right."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Oh really now? I was unaware I was trying to come across as an expert while clearly pointing out that I was doing a redneck repair on a cheap, broken vise.This will work just fine for what I'm doing with it, you don't have to like it.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Go for it, Mick!! Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumYou screw up the metallurgy on a vise with two mounting holes to add two more, for what practical purpose I do not know.  Just because you can weld it with the wrong process doesn't make it right, even if you think you got away with it.  Hell, son, buy a couple old books off the web, like the old Lincoln or Linde books for about $8.   Read all about cast Iron and the welding thereof.  It ain't mild steel.  Lanse, I like your can-do attitude and your enthusiasm.  But don't be coming across as an expert or say something is good enough just because you seemed to have gotten by with it.  I am not a welder or a metallurgist, but I am enough of an enthusiast to know something isn't right.
Reply:My dad says "Good nuff for the gals we run with."  Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.