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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? -- Graeme |
#2
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 28/11/2015 22:42, News wrote:
Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? Ignorant of the fact that it can't be done I welded a cast iron vice many years ago, and I've been using it ever since. Bill |
#3
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
Bill Wright wrote:
On 28/11/2015 22:42, News wrote: Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? Ignorant of the fact that it can't be done I welded a cast iron vice many years ago, and I've been using it ever since. Bill Welding cast iron is usually not that difficult depending on type and strength required,it can also be bronze brazed. |
#4
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On Saturday, 28 November 2015 22:42:50 UTC, News wrote:
Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? -- Graeme There are two ways. One is to braze it using gas welding. The other involves special arc welding rods but the job has to be preheated with gas to prevent expansion cracks. I once tried to electric weld wrought iron. That was a failure. |
#5
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
It very much depends on thw qualityof the casting from what i can remember
from my childhood. Some are very porous and tend to crumble when welded. Bit like welding powder! I guess if you were careful and had the right materials it could be drilled tapped and screwed together, though when heatcycled it might crack due to the expansion and contraction of the different metals. Brian -- From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active Remember, if you don't like where I post or what I say, you don't have to read my posts! :-) "Bill Wright" wrote in message ... On 28/11/2015 22:42, News wrote: Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? Ignorant of the fact that it can't be done I welded a cast iron vice many years ago, and I've been using it ever since. Bill |
#6
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
Huge wrote:
On 2015-11-29, F Murtz wrote: Bill Wright wrote: On 28/11/2015 22:42, News wrote: Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? Ignorant of the fact that it can't be done I welded a cast iron vice many years ago, and I've been using it ever since. Bill Welding cast iron is usually not that difficult depending on type and strength required,it can also be bronze brazed. I've had 3 goes at welding cast iron, one very successful (a grate, as it happens!) and two miserable failures (a frying pan and a bracket from an old bed.) I believe you need special rods, which I wasn't using, which probably accounts for the failure. Yes and differing ones depending if you want strength or beauty and also expensive. |
#7
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
In message m, F Murtz
writes Yes and differing ones depending if you want strength or beauty and also expensive. The original point was, welding is not an option :-) Any suggestions that don't involving arc welding, brazing or any other form of welding? -- Graeme |
#8
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
In message , Huge
writes On 2015-11-29, News wrote: Any suggestions that don't involving arc welding, brazing or any other form of welding? Drill holes & bolt/rivet some kind of brace across the break? Yes, I think that is the best idea. Use this as an excuse to buy an arc welder? smile I'm already inventing excuses to buy an electric chain saw, having chatted to a neighbour who was doing in a few seconds what takes me a lot longer with a hand saw! -- Graeme |
#9
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 29 Nov 2015 13:16:47 GMT, Huge wrote:
The original point was, welding is not an option :-) Any suggestions that don't involving arc welding, brazing or any other form of welding? Drill holes & bolt/rivet some kind of brace across the break? Use this as an excuse to buy an arc welder? Depending on where the ashpan needs clearance put a bolt through the slats of the grate ,put some oversize washers each side and a nut tight enough to hold in place ,hacksaw the bolt to length and you have a replacement leg . If such an arrangement gets in the way of the ashpan it might be possible to use some studding and bend into a shape that clears. G.Harman |
#10
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 29/11/2015 13:34, News wrote:
In message , Huge writes On 2015-11-29, News wrote: Any suggestions that don't involving arc welding, brazing or any other form of welding? Drill holes & bolt/rivet some kind of brace across the break? Yes, I think that is the best idea. Use this as an excuse to buy an arc welder? smile I'm already inventing excuses to buy an electric chain saw, having chatted to a neighbour who was doing in a few seconds what takes me a lot longer with a hand saw! If you get one, watch a few of the safety vids on Youtube. Bill |
#11
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
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#12
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
In message , Bill Wright
writes On 29/11/2015 13:34, News wrote: smile I'm already inventing excuses to buy an electric chain saw, having chatted to a neighbour who was doing in a few seconds what takes me a lot longer with a hand saw! If you get one, watch a few of the safety vids on Youtube. Thanks Bill. I have always shied away from chainsaws, thinking in terms of petrol, but, having seen a neighbour effortlessly cutting up a sycamore tree with a mains powered Makita, may think again. My needs are simple - logs up to 3 or 4 inches, old pallets etc so a cheap one may suffice. -- Graeme |
#13
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:40:55 +0000, Bill Wright
wrote: On 28/11/2015 22:42, News wrote: Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? Ignorant of the fact that it can't be done I welded a cast iron vice many years ago, and I've been using it ever since. Bill Chances are the vice was cast steel. I welded cast iron with nickel rods successfully but they cost a lot. The alternative is to heat the casting to nigh on red heat so it's in its plastic region, weld and then slowly cool it otherwise it tends to fail immediately adjacent to the weld. For blocks and gearboxes metal stitching is more successful but not worth it for something cheap like a grate. AJH |
#14
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
"News" wrote in message ... In message m, F Murtz writes Yes and differing ones depending if you want strength or beauty and also expensive. The original point was, welding is not an option :-) It is actually if you get someone else to weld it for you. Any suggestions that don't involving arc welding, brazing or any other form of welding? |
#15
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
"News" wrote in message ... In message , Huge writes On 2015-11-29, News wrote: Any suggestions that don't involving arc welding, brazing or any other form of welding? Drill holes & bolt/rivet some kind of brace across the break? Yes, I think that is the best idea. Use this as an excuse to buy an arc welder? smile I'm already inventing excuses to buy an electric chain saw, having chatted to a neighbour who was doing in a few seconds what takes me a lot longer with a hand saw! Yeah, you won't regret it. I much prefer electric over petrol too, much more convenient than starting a petrol one when up the ladder when its just stalled etc. |
#16
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
"News" wrote in message ... In message , Bill Wright writes On 29/11/2015 13:34, News wrote: smile I'm already inventing excuses to buy an electric chain saw, having chatted to a neighbour who was doing in a few seconds what takes me a lot longer with a hand saw! If you get one, watch a few of the safety vids on Youtube. Thanks Bill. I have always shied away from chainsaws, thinking in terms of petrol, but, having seen a neighbour effortlessly cutting up a sycamore tree with a mains powered Makita, may think again. I think you should. My needs are simple - logs up to 3 or 4 inches, old pallets etc so a cheap one may suffice. Yeah, I got a Talon, no regrets, works very well indeed. |
#17
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 29/11/15 16:54, News wrote:
In message , Bill Wright writes On 29/11/2015 13:34, News wrote: smile I'm already inventing excuses to buy an electric chain saw, having chatted to a neighbour who was doing in a few seconds what takes me a lot longer with a hand saw! If you get one, watch a few of the safety vids on Youtube. Thanks Bill. I have always shied away from chainsaws, thinking in terms of petrol, but, having seen a neighbour effortlessly cutting up a sycamore tree with a mains powered Makita, may think again. My needs are simple - logs up to 3 or 4 inches, old pallets etc so a cheap one may suffice. How about a battery one if it's for odd small work? I've been *very* impressed with my Bosch LiIon mower and hedge trimmer. |
#18
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
In message , News
writes Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? Any chance of drilling and tapping. Cast iron is easy to drill and cut a thread. Clearance hole from top and tapping size down the leg. 6mm cap head should hold it together. I would attempt welding as I have some rods intended for cast iron jobs. Not had any problems with local cracking on cooling where the total thermal mass is low. Anyway, you don't weld:-) -- Tim Lamb |
#19
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 28/11/2015 22:42, News wrote:
Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? You can do a silicon bronze braised repair on cast iron. You might be able to get it hot enough with a mapp gas torch and some good padding round it to keep the heat in. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
#20
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 01/12/2015 03:33, John Rumm wrote:
On 28/11/2015 22:42, News wrote: Recently bought a new 14 inch fireplace grate, and, on arrival, it was broken. One corner, complete with leg, snapped off. The supplier is sending a replacement, and does not appear to want the damaged item returned. I'll keep the damaged one as, at a pinch, I think it would probably work as it balances well on three legs and, as the damaged corner is at the rear, could probably be wedged in place. Could I repair the damage? I believe welding cast iron is not straightforward, and I can't weld anyway, but any other method? Is there a glue for that range of temperature? I cannot imagine fire cement working? You can do a silicon bronze braised repair on cast iron. You might be able to get it hot enough with a mapp gas torch and some good padding round it to keep the heat in. I'd expect to be able to do it with the big burner (25 mm) on my propane cylinder, with judicious insulation. Any rod suitable for steel should be OK (I would have thought). Easy-Flo flux. |
#21
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 01/12/2015 20:24, newshound wrote:
You can do a silicon bronze braised repair on cast iron. You might be able to get it hot enough with a mapp gas torch and some good padding round it to keep the heat in. I'd expect to be able to do it with the big burner (25 mm) on my propane cylinder, with judicious insulation. Any rod suitable for steel should be OK (I would have thought). Easy-Flo flux. I think you will struggle to fix it without either a mechanical fix (rivets, bolts) or a weld unless the fuel you burn doesn't get very hot. The grate on my parents fire used to get hot enough to soften and glowed cherry red at times. |
#22
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
On 01/12/2015 20:36, dennis@home wrote:
On 01/12/2015 20:24, newshound wrote: You can do a silicon bronze braised repair on cast iron. You might be able to get it hot enough with a mapp gas torch and some good padding round it to keep the heat in. I'd expect to be able to do it with the big burner (25 mm) on my propane cylinder, with judicious insulation. Any rod suitable for steel should be OK (I would have thought). Easy-Flo flux. I think you will struggle to fix it without either a mechanical fix (rivets, bolts) or a weld unless the fuel you burn doesn't get very hot. The grate on my parents fire used to get hot enough to soften and glowed cherry red at times. Fair point, it does depend a bit on where it is and, as you say, how the fire is run. |
#23
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Repairing broken cast iron grate
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