Welding Hardened Steel

[Robg165]

The bucket on my MF 165 front end loader has cracks in it where the brackets for the arms attach to the bucket. I'm a real amateur when it comes to welding but I do have access to a stick welder. Since the bucket is hardened steel I'm not sure about what welding rod to use to get good penetration. Any advice on type of rod to use and the procedure to do the repair would be appreciated.

 

[CalG]

I doubt those brackets are "hardenable steel". They may well be better steel than car fenders, but that is subjective.

Pick a 7000 series rod that you have spent some time with. Vee out and prep the cracks completely. Weld from both sides if you can.

Don't leave any butt holes at the ends of your weld. ;-)

 

[dragoneggs]

I doubt those brackets are "hardenable steel". They may well be better steel than car fenders, but that is subjective.

Pick a 7000 series rod that you have spent some time with. Vee out and prep the cracks completely. Weld from both sides if you can.

Don't leave any butt holes at the ends of your weld. ;-)

Solid advice. Cleaning out the crack is key. I'm not a fan of butt holes either. :laughing: But also do drill a hole at the end of the crack to reduce the stress concentration and arrest it from growing.

 

[LD1]

Yep. Bucket, and mounting brackets are likely just low carbon mild steel.

Rod selection is less important than what you are comfortable welding with.

A good weld with a rod that you are familiar and comfortable welding with is better than a bad weld with a higher strength rod.

 

[Robg165]

Thanks to you all for the advice. Is 7018 harder to weld with or would that be a good choice?

 

[boomer1025]

Drill the ends of the cracks and grind out the cracks. Then run a bead of 6011 and cap that bead with 7014.

 

[Shield Arc]

Is 7018 harder to weld with or would that be a good choice?

7018 is child's play to run. Just keep a close arc length!

 

[LD1]

7018 isnt difficult to run if you have a DC machine. More challenging on a Buzz box. But there are certainly easier rods to run

 

[4570Man]

I've welded chipper blades with 7018 rods. I doubt the back of the bucket is hardened steel anyway.

 

[Robg165]

The welder I have is an old Lincoln AC-225C. So perhaps I should stay away from the 7018 given my lack od welding expertise.

 

[Big Barn]

You'll be fine using 6013 with your Lincoln AC.

That's all I ever used on the farm with my buzzbox. Back then I didn't even KNOW about DC welders.

Bought it new for $220 in 1965 off the Snap On truck. Still have it...



Terry

 

[Spanner]

You'll be fine using 6013 with your Lincoln AC.

That's all I ever used on the farm with my buzzbox. Back then I didn't even KNOW about DC welders.

Bought it new for $220 in 1965 off the Snap On truck. Still have it...

View attachment 519059

Terry

And still in good condition Terry. Very cool that it has settings for Soldering and Brazing/Heating as well as welding. Do you have the necessary attachments?

 

[Big Barn]

Spanner. It came with a carbon arc torch, a couple boxes of carbons and a plug-in soldering iron. Regretfully, over the years these items were 'disposed of'.





A couple of years ago I took the dents out, repainted the sheet metal and had the front panel info digitally reproduced and 'wrapped'. Also reworked the undercarriage to make it more user friendly and added 'cable management'.

It's probably in the best shape it's ever been and I never use it anymore.

Terry

 

[yomax4]

And still in good condition Terry. Very cool that it has settings for Soldering and Brazing/Heating as well as welding. Do you have the necessary attachments?

THAT is very cool. Restoring or protecting welders is a rare encounter in my world. A while back I was impressed that SA has all those old SA200 units. I remember selling all the brushes and parts for them back in the day. This stick unit impresses me as well. Nice unit !!

 

[yomax4]

If you just have AC you can still run 7018AC. Works ok. Or look for some MG 80T

 

[4570Man]

If you just have AC you can still run 7018AC. Works ok. Or look for some MG 80T

I sure can't. I never want to see an AC stick welder again. It's MUCH harder than a DC welder.

 

[D2Cat]

I've got an old "buzz box" and it has copper windings. It will weld 7018 just fine.

 

[LD1]

I personally have never had any luck with 7018 on an AC machine. Even 7018 AC rod.

But on a DC machine it runs nicely.

 

[Zoomeroo]

Dont mix 6011 and 7018.
Grind the crack clean.
7014 or 7018 make sure the rods are not ruined by moisture.
Neither can just sit on a shelf. If they are old stick them in your oven. Mother might complain but you gotta do it.

 

[rusty842]

I have always been told that 7018 have to be stored in an oven to run correctly. They are really sensitive to moisture. I've used them before but I like a 7014 better.