Repair ? Broken Handle on ChainSaw

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Can I repair this Cast Aluminum Handle on this MCCulloch 4-30 Chainsaw. I was hoping I could GTAW (tig) it.    What is you opinion? Try it ? no  way ?  HERE 'S How ? Attached Images
Reply:You prolly can is it worth it to you though??? I had a piece of cast aluminum on a chop saw break. Wasn't worth my time or hassle to pull it and try and weld it. I kept it for parts and went out and bought a new one. Thats my two cents yours seems like it maybe can be fixed easier but who knows.Millermatic DVIMillermatic 251Older buzz box Cheap 120 welder
Reply:Got to watch some saws, they have magnesium cases and parts, thats an older one though so maybe not mag.I'v been having reasonable sucess on cast Al, good preheat (actually more of a bake to drive off oil too), 4043 or 4047 fillerLincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:To some, that saw is a collectible and as such, is worth fixing. Heck, I thought we (some of us, anyway), did jobs like that just for fun!
Reply:Hello 560Dennis!I can't help you on this as I am not a Tigger, and cast and aluminum are two of my worst subjects! I was just curious about your user name.Is Dennis a part of your real name? if so, first or last?#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:yep do-able clean it really well, wipe it down with acetone and brush the oxide off with a SS brush. Go for it. set your tig for AC, HF continuous  and bout 125 amps or so.....and go slow......Might have to play with the balance, use your pedal. Love this kinda welding.....BrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:Hello Ken,              Look at this thread, I did a very similar repair on a huge Wolf electric dill with a broken cast aluminium/magnesium handle, I know some of you chaps consider this "not proper welding" but it certainly works and put a good old machine back into active sevice. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.http://weldingweb.com/search.php?searchid=896784not sure how to do the exact link, so click on my thread titled  Technoweld.  hope this helps.  Cheers  Gordon.Last edited by gordon stephenson; 07-06-2009 at 06:29 AM.Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:I found out this is not aluminum handle , it's magnesum handle !!  So that changes the thought process . I'm a rookie tig welder with no experience welding magnesium. Only  projects on Aluminum ,SS, + Steel .I don't know anything about it other than its a hot fire once you get it going.  560 Farmall Diesel is my farm  tractor  + I'm Dennis , hence 560Dennis  Thanks for the response
Reply:You can probably make a functional repair if you can get some magnesium fill rod. I am far from an expert, but I have welded magnesium cam covers using my Syncrowave 180.Here is a random informational piece:http://www.welding-advisers.com/Welding-magnesium.html
Reply:Ken,      The method I described in my "technoweld" thread can also be used on magnesium, Google HTS 2000 and watch a demonstration, Last job I used it on was a mounting lug broken off a starter motor flange,  Regards  Gordon.Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:That must be a really old MCCulloch.  Hard to believe it would still run good for you.  The MCCulloch's I had in the past were a royal pain, not worth the hassle to keep them running.  New saws are so light, vibration free, and screaming fast, I would consider an new Husquvarna.
Reply:Well magnesium is another matter......It can be done...watched it done but not sure I would strike out on my own to do it.....OK OK I will use the bad word JB weld...I used it on some Magnesium side cases on a dirt bike, it worked and didn't leak oil...not pretty but worked..BrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders