Some Pot Metal

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Here's a pot metal repair. Two pc's of of one lamp Attached Images
Reply:Nice job!  How did you do it?
Reply:Brazed? Soldered?That Acorn table has seen better days...... good pirce of equipment though,Travis
Reply:any pot metal i ever tried to fix melted and ran downb the table from the heat of the sparker as i lit the torch..congrats...
Reply:Originally Posted by 82VDubDieselBrazed? Soldered?That Acorn table has seen better days...... good pirce of equipment though,Travis
Reply:Nice Job!Do you use a large iron? Or maybe a jewelers' torch? I've never seen anyone do anything but struggle with TIG.Matt
Reply:LOL--Ok guys, there are a few things that I do that took me so long to learn, so much pain and frustration, that I don't just give it away. lol sorry guys.
Reply:Originally Posted by woodweld1LOL--Ok guys, there are a few things that I do that took me so long to learn, so much pain and frustration, that I don't just give it away. lol sorry guys.
Reply:Originally Posted by Pro-FabIt's too bad you feel that way. I have worked with a few people over the years who were afraid to share their "secrets". It was usually braggarts who were afraid that if others had the same skills, then they would no longer be looked upon with awe. Real legends in their own mind.
Reply:Hey guys,By the look of the repairs, as I have done many, I would surmise that the OP used one of the "pot metal"(zinc laden) rods such as HTS2000, alumiweld, or one of the others. There is nothing wrong using it as it does a nice job with the zinc die-cast crap that is made. When applied correctly, clean metal like alum., precise control of the heat, it is very strong & I have tested it with 6061 alum. & it also worked well. I keep it on stock, use it for those "crap" castings, & made some really nice $$$ fixin' those broken "heirlooms" that many just have-to-have as it was a family treasure. It's a brazing process, not welding. Maybe that's "his secret" for all his "pain & frustration" learning how to use it.......DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:OK, trade secret time. 3 products made by the same company, UNIWELDUNI-4200  a no flux low temp rodUNI-1450A  A silver bearing-flux core solderUNI- 4300 A solder (kit) You can use on Alum, copper and brass or a mix of the 3Each has its job in life and they work.   I have dealt directly with uniweld and they are great guys.  They sell through welding supply houses.  The packages have uniweld.com as a contact.I have used them to repair the tiny alum exhaust tubes on friends model racing boats and on pot metal castings.  Takes less heat than you think.  That would be the only learning curve. It is strong.  This is the stuff you use when you can't weld or solder something.
Reply:Last time I tried to explain how to do something on a forum it was picked apart and I was accused of the same thing, and a senior member told me not to say to much about the how.  I'm not here to argue about my techniques so I keep them to myself. Im not trying to prove anything.  I had a lot of good teachers (friends) that taught  me everything I know, so I know how important it is to share your knowledge and I do (with my friends). But the reality is I don't know any of you, some of you are really great craftsman and I have a great appreciation for the quality of work I see on this forum and thats why I joined. Didn't mean to hurt anyones feelings.Last edited by woodweld1; 04-04-2011 at 11:23 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by woodweld1  I'm not here to argue about my techniques so I keep them to myself.
Reply:Originally Posted by SixshooterSo starting 12+ picture threads in 2 days is keeping it all to yourself? I hardly see it that way but maybe that's just me. Trust me, I don't need you to tell me, no do I care, about fixing candle holders. But it seems to me the least you can do when you post pictures of your many infinite projects is to answer whatever questions that may arise on a thread THAT YOU STARTED about them. I'm amazed you run a business with an attitude such as that. You sir, have much to learn. Anyways, commence the project posting blitzkrieg my friend.Respectfully,Six
Reply:Originally Posted by Pro-FabIt's too bad you feel that way. I have worked with a few people over the years who were afraid to share their "secrets". It was usually braggarts who were afraid that if others had the same skills, then they would no longer be looked upon with awe. Real legends in their own mind. Most welders never come across pot metal repair because the parts are usually less expensive than the repair. On the other hand, replacements are not always available, so ther will always be a bit of a demand. Pot metal developes a heavy "skin" on the surface, which has a higher melting point than the base metal, but when the oxide layer does melt, everything will just fall away on you without warning. If you form a mold to support the broken part, it will act as a dam, holding the partin place. You can feed the filler rod through the surface skin, but it takes a bit of practice, because it is difficult to see the fusion taking place. One of the more available rods is Aladin 3in1, which can also be used for aluminum brazing of thin aluminum tubes such as refrigeration lines. On chrome plated parts such as fridge handles, it can be helpful to leave as much of the plating in place as possible to help hold the piece together.I was taught how do weld pot metal using oxy/acetylene, but I find that TIG provides more control as it is easier to complete the weld without overheating the part. The rods aren't cheap, but anybody looking to try something different should give it a go. I think that the whole idea behind these forums is so that craftsmen can share their experience with those seeking help with something new.
Reply:I don't have a problem that you don't want to say and I do appreciate the pics (so I know it can be done) SOOOO thanksMiller 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:I guess some weldors just like 2 be put on a pedestal & worshipped. Their ego requires it. Someone shared "secrets" with all of us,pass `em along. I worked with a fellow weldor a few weeks ago welding kirksite dies (96+% zinc).He set the machine on ac, reverse polarity,for tig welding. I was able 2 run very clean brite beads with kirkrod (crown) with ease. Almost welded like aluminum. Thanx 2 all of u humble, helpful weldors on this forum. And 2 u arrogant sh**s, God help ya, cause nobody else will!!
Reply:Originally Posted by grumpycricketI guess some weldors just like 2 be put on a pedestal & worshipped. Their ego requires it. Someone shared "secrets" with all of us,pass `em along. I worked with a fellow weldor a few weeks ago welding kirksite dies (96+% zinc).He set the machine on ac, reverse polarity,for tig welding. I was able 2 run very clean brite beads with kirkrod (crown) with ease. Almost welded like aluminum. Thanx 2 all of u humble, helpful weldors on this forum. And 2 u arrogant sh**s, God help ya, cause nobody else will!!
Reply:Originally Posted by woodweld1Man your good, I read thru your post again and I couldn't help but notice that you left out a few things your self.  You told just enough to show that you know what your talking about without giving away the farm. wow
Reply:Originally Posted by Pro-FabIt has nothing to do with giving away the farm. Like I said, most welders haven't had the opportunity to work with pot metal, but should try it if the opportunity chould present itself. I merely provided a brief guideline to show that is actually fairly easy if you know what to expect, because you made it clear that you were not going to do so. Should someone have a piece laying around that they wish to attempt a repair, I will be more than happy, as will many others, to answer any questions that they may have if they run into problems. I am not going to suggest that someone attempt to repair pewter heirlooms for their first project, but simple shapes like hinges, knobs or handles are quite easy and can offer a new challenge. I am sure that you will find that a lot of newbie back yard welders will be very impressed by your projects, but the experienced hands with a shop full of equipent as their disposal will comment on your attitude.
Reply:Actually, I found the zinc alloys easy to master. I`ve been successfully welding them (and many other metals) since 1980,when I turned "pro" after 2 yrs of h.s. welding. I`m sorry you found pot metal so difficult and frustrating to weld. It must feel great to finally conquer the "white metals". I hold you in high esteem! BTW, I don`t need you to set my machine parameters, or hold my hand in the welding shop. I`m sorry it took me so long to respond...I was capping D2 trim steels. Well,back to work,and do post more pix woodsy,I am interested in seeing what u do! peace out!
Reply:Interesting turn this thread made???Other than a long time ago after I figured out how to puddle babbitt with out being laughed at, I don't do white metals. Joining things was not my gig then...That said, many years back I had a pewter belt buckle I was very fond of, and the stud on the back came off.     I made several attempts with a 00 tip and gave up     (I didn't ruin it). Later I brought the subject up with a jeweler friend who told me just go get a 2lb iron and give it a try with a filler similar/same to the above mentioned fillers. He also said "unless you're used to holding a shaping tool between the thumb and forefinger, filler between the ring and pinkey finger, torch in the other hand, AND keeping track of everything... Don't expect too much, but give it a try, if it don't work bring it by". Worked on the first shot for that fix!  I expect the learning for yourself is pretty universal as in the past I've tried to be too detailed explaining something only to have the person fail??? That left me as broken & frustrated as the hand giving a try.Also I don't think I'll be gambling with my pal "the jeweler" anytime soon working with these delicate things. Matt
Reply:I don't have a problem with someone keeping some things under their hat, especially if it's something you're known for and it took you time and money to figure out. If someone comes along an figures it out for themselves, great, power to them. I've got a patina that I wouldn't reveal to anyone. It's something special to my work and that is part of what makes it unique. Yeah, if you come on waving it around and being a dick about it, then you deserve a dig or two, but the OP didn't. I think the poo-pooers need to cool their jets a bit. Nice repair. I have had a couple "family" heirlooms come through the doors. Mostly I don't take them. Not worth the risk and I can admit when I'm not the man for the job. I will try to send them in the right direction though.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:This would be a pretty boring site if all anyone did was post some pictures of their work.  Can you imagine anyone wanting to visit to see pictures of welds without any explanation or offer to answer questions that might be asked.  What would be the purpose of the site if that were the case?
Reply:Kind of like the secret recipes when cooking.Who really cares.Here taste this isn't it good? Sorry can't tell you would have to shoot you "LOL"Vinnie