How to weld bronze cast

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • BOBBYLEE
    Junior Member
    • Feb 2016
    • 28

    How to weld bronze cast

    I've got at peice of bronze cast that needs to be welded. I tried DC Tig but the weld was very trashy and it cracked in the center of the weld. I used silicone bronze filler. What's the correct procedure to use. I have a Dynasty 210 DX. Any help is greatly appreciated.
  • H80N
    Senior Member
    • Nov 2003
    • 5763

    #2
    Originally posted by BOBBYLEE View Post
    I've got at peice of bronze cast that needs to be welded. I tried DC Tig but the weld was very trashy and it cracked in the center of the weld. I used silicone bronze filler. What's the correct procedure to use. I have a Dynasty 210 DX. Any help is greatly appreciated.
    Many times Bronze sculpture castings are TIG welded using AC HF like for aluminum because it it tends to jiggle the puddle and loosen the impurities

    Could you post some pics pls...??

    are you sure it is bronze and not brass...??
    .

    *******************************************
    The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

    “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

    Buy the best tools you can afford.. Learn to use them to the best of your ability.. and take care of them...

    My Blue Stuff:
    Dynasty 350DX Tigrunner
    Dynasty 200DX
    Millermatic 350P w/25ft Alumapro & 30A
    Millermatic 200

    TONS of Non-Blue Equip, plus CNC Mill, Lathes & a Plasmacam w/ PowerMax-1000

    Comment

    • ryanjones2150
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2014
      • 5961

      #3
      I actually have a friend that works as an assistant for an artist that works in bronze castings. I haven't posed your question to him yet, but I know they use a MIG welder with silicon bronze wire for cracks and to fill imperfections in their castings, then grind them down. <br />
      <br />
      But I completely agree with H80N on the AC polarity. I would also suggest aluminum bronze vs the silicon bronze. Mostly because I've used it more on AC than on DC or silicon bronze on either setting. I think you will find the aluminum bronze nice to work with on AC. <br />
      <br />
      But pictures would really be nice to help make the proper recommendation. Also, this would be tig brazing and not welding. Of course you'll melt the base metal a little bit from time to time, but try to melt as little as possible. I generally expect a little base metal melting at the start, but after that, you should be able to control it pretty well. Also be sure to taper off slowly to avoid those crater cracks at the end of the weld, especially with aluminum bronze.

      Comment

      • BOBBYLEE
        Junior Member
        • Feb 2016
        • 28

        #4
        How do i post picture's? Can't get a pic till tomorrow b/c the piece is at work. I'll try the AC and see how that does. How do I know its not brass?.. Well, I really don't but it doesn't look like it. One of the guys there said it's bronze cast....

        Comment

        • H80N
          Senior Member
          • Nov 2003
          • 5763

          #5
          Originally posted by BOBBYLEE View Post
          How do i post picture's? Can't get a pic till tomorrow b/c the piece is at work. I'll try the AC and see how that does. How do I know its not brass?.. Well, I really don't but it doesn't look like it. One of the guys there said it's bronze cast....
          The division between brasses & bronzes is kinda murky... but generally brasses have a high zinc content... and will boil off white smoke while welding

          is it an art casting..?? or marine hardware..?? or..?? tell us more
          Last edited by H80N; 06-12-2016, 09:31 AM.
          .

          *******************************************
          The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

          “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

          Buy the best tools you can afford.. Learn to use them to the best of your ability.. and take care of them...

          My Blue Stuff:
          Dynasty 350DX Tigrunner
          Dynasty 200DX
          Millermatic 350P w/25ft Alumapro & 30A
          Millermatic 200

          TONS of Non-Blue Equip, plus CNC Mill, Lathes & a Plasmacam w/ PowerMax-1000

          Comment

          • ryanjones2150
            Senior Member
            • Jul 2014
            • 5961

            #6
            You don't want breath the fumes of the zinc boiling out either. Another reason when brazing is a good plan. <br />
            <br />
            As I've been told, there is very little that separates bronze and brass metallurgically. I don't fully understand it. I don't think it really matters in your case. <br />
            <br />
            Depending on how big your repair is, soldering might be an option. <br />
            <br />
            I sent a message to my friend with experience in that area, I'll report back what he suggests. Although he'll almost certainly want more information on the piece. <br />
            <br />
            To post a picture, are you using the phone app or a computer? Super easy with the app, just tap the "add" button on your post and select photo from library or camera.

            Comment

            • BOBBYLEE
              Junior Member
              • Feb 2016
              • 28

              #7
              The piece is off an old barber chair, foot rest I believe.
              What app do I own load? As of now I just go to Miller's site and log in from there. I didn't know there was an app. Thanks for everyone help.

              Comment

              • ryanjones2150
                Senior Member
                • Jul 2014
                • 5961

                #8
                I use the miller forum app. I'm sure if you search the App Store for whatever phone you have you can find it. <br />
                <br />
                A bronze barber chair eh? I have absolute zero experience with antique barber chairs, but bronze? That's pretty cool I suppose. <br />
                <br />
                I'll pass that along to my friend and see what he says. His experience is strictly with bronze casting for fancy schmancy statues.

                Comment

                • BOBBYLEE
                  Junior Member
                  • Feb 2016
                  • 28

                  #9
                  Here's some pics.

                  Comment

                  • BOBBYLEE
                    Junior Member
                    • Feb 2016
                    • 28

                    #10
                    Here's a pic
                    Attached Files

                    Comment

                    • H80N
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2003
                      • 5763

                      #11
                      Originally posted by BOBBYLEE View Post
                      Here's a pic
                      Looks kinda like cast IRON..........

                      have you put a MAGNET to it...???

                      Last edited by H80N; 06-13-2016, 06:15 PM.
                      .

                      *******************************************
                      The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

                      “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

                      Buy the best tools you can afford.. Learn to use them to the best of your ability.. and take care of them...

                      My Blue Stuff:
                      Dynasty 350DX Tigrunner
                      Dynasty 200DX
                      Millermatic 350P w/25ft Alumapro & 30A
                      Millermatic 200

                      TONS of Non-Blue Equip, plus CNC Mill, Lathes & a Plasmacam w/ PowerMax-1000

                      Comment

                      • ryanjones2150
                        Senior Member
                        • Jul 2014
                        • 5961

                        #12
                        I agree, it doesn't look at all like bronze.

                        Comment

                        • griff01
                          Senior Member
                          • Dec 2007
                          • 1000

                          #13
                          Originally posted by BOBBYLEE View Post
                          Here's a pic
                          I agree with H80N & ryanjones, that's not bronze.

                          Griff

                          Comment

                          • H80N
                            Senior Member
                            • Nov 2003
                            • 5763

                            #14
                            Originally posted by griff01 View Post

                            I agree with H80N & ryanjones, that's not bronze.

                            Griff
                            Once we figure out if it is Bronze... Iron... Or....??

                            The crack joint will have to be properly veed out and prepped... BEFORE welding

                            As pictured.. it is UNPREPARED...
                            any welds attempted in this state..are likely to fail in short order...
                            Last edited by H80N; 06-13-2016, 09:07 PM.
                            .

                            *******************************************
                            The more you know, The better you know, How little you know

                            “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

                            Buy the best tools you can afford.. Learn to use them to the best of your ability.. and take care of them...

                            My Blue Stuff:
                            Dynasty 350DX Tigrunner
                            Dynasty 200DX
                            Millermatic 350P w/25ft Alumapro & 30A
                            Millermatic 200

                            TONS of Non-Blue Equip, plus CNC Mill, Lathes & a Plasmacam w/ PowerMax-1000

                            Comment

                            • ryanjones2150
                              Senior Member
                              • Jul 2014
                              • 5961

                              #15
                              Yo, Bobbylee, so what does that part do? Is it load bearing or just decoration? How thick is it? Have pictures from other angles or maybe further away to give us an idea on what it is? <br />
                              <br />
                              Ideally, you'll have a full penetration weld, which will make that piece one solid piece of metal again. Depending on how thick it is or what it does, that may not be possible nor necessary.

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X