Old cast iron soap kettle

[oosik]

View attachment 574141I have an old cast iron soap kettle like the attached picture. For some reason it has developed a large crack running from the lip about half way down the side. I've had a nylon strap with ratchet around the kettle and this crack can be closed up.

Do you think that a local welding shop would be able to weld up the crack and save this old kettle???

If necessary - I can post a picture of the actual kettle as soon as it gets light here.

 

[Shaneard]

If you can find an experienced welder, probably so but it's like playing the lottery, you may get lucky, you may not.

 

[3Ts]

Welding cast iron is not the same as welding steel. I've read up on it, but have never done it. You'll need to find a welder that has done it successfully before.

 

[yomax4]

I'd enjoy fixing that with Spray Powder. Looks good, Never Cracks. but yes it's likely in good enough shape to be repaired by welding as well. If you were closer I'd fix it for you.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I've brazed them up. While it won't match, it does add a "unique" look to it, giving a nod to the survivorship of the piece and keeps it functional. The contrast is nice and over the years it will patina.

 

[Big Barn]

I've brazed them up. While it won't match, it does add a "unique" look to it, giving a nod to the survivorship of the piece and keeps it functional. The contrast is nice and over the years it will patina.

I’m quite partial to the unique look of a good braze repair job.

 

[zzvyb6]

I have several of these cauldrons, one was cracked about the same as yours. Mine are cast steel, so the repair was straight forward. Stitch welding with nickel rod is easily done, but I suggest you drill a small hole just after the crack to block any further fracture.

 

[Ritothebull]

I wouldn't let anyone touch it unless they can prove they have experience with large old castings or you may end up with a real mess, those big pots are a difficult type of casting to repair even for someone with experence.

 

[AWSubie]

I also vote for brazing. With the old cast pots the material is usually porous compared to more modern castings and the material thickness is not uniform. Both these issues add to the difficulty of welding. Brazing is your best bet if you want to keep using the pot.

 

[oosik]

Thanks guys - next trip into town I will talk to the owner of the welding shop. I'll let you know what he has to say.

 

[searcyfarms]

I wish I still had our old one from time to time, the tornado in 2004 took it and the entire farm so who knows where its at for sure - I used it to boil and dye traps in it when I was young and prices were good - they are great for a lot of things - we used it to boil water for scalding chickens in too!!

 

[zzvyb6]

I have a coal fired cauldron furnace in which the cauldron sits. You can make 45 gallons of chili or cook maple sirup down to a concentrate.

 

[Jstpssng]

Cooling it is the challenge. Some people will bury it in sand. My cousin used to do a lot of repairs and he would put them in an old gas grill, slowly lowering the burners to regulate the cooling.

 

[Alan W.]

I also vote for brazing. With the old cast pots the material is usually porous compared to more modern castings and the material thickness is not uniform. Both these issues add to the difficulty of welding. Brazing is your best bet if you want to keep using the pot.

I agree the older castings are a nightmare to repair. A friend had an old school bell that the post mount had cracked when the post rotted and it fell over. He was against brazing.
Even with pre post heat and nickle rods it was a mess. I have welded quite a few modern castings and this was unlike any before. Just a small tack would set off a new crack, and there was lots of dirty inclusions cast into it.

 

[yomax4]

I've done a lot of old antique cast iron repair as well. ( 30 years worth ) To blast it with amperage with a Ni stick rod is not a good idea and will be disappointing. It would be an easy repair with Spray Powder, Victor Spray Powder Torch System or 2nd choice Ni Silv brazing rod ( Welco 14FC ) 3rd choice Low fuming bronze. ( Brazing Rod ) None of the oxy-fuel products ( done right ) will cause it to re-crack even during cooling.

 

[oosik]

View attachment 574431 View attachment 574432 THE CONCLUSION. I loaded the old pot into the pickup and in to the local welding shop. The project would be cost prohibitive - the conclusion questionable. Required preheating - some form of spray welding - post heating. If I were going to use the pot for something serious - well, then, maybe.

The old pot has assumed a position of prominence and dignity on the porch of my log work cabin. In the spring I will load it with planting soil and put many colorful flowers in this old pot.

Thank you all for your time and suggestions. They were appreciated - one and all.

 

[Shaneard]

Time to start drilling holes so the flowers don't drown.

 

[dragoneggs]

View attachment 574431 View attachment 574432 THE CONCLUSION. I loaded the old pot into the pickup and in to the local welding shop. The project would be cost prohibitive - the conclusion questionable. Required preheating - some form of spray welding - post heating. If I were going to use the pot for something serious - well, then, maybe.

The old pot has assumed a position of prominence and dignity on the porch of my log work cabin. In the spring I will load it with planting soil and put many colorful flowers in this old pot.

Thank you all for your time and suggestions. They were appreciated - one and all.

Wow, now that I realize the size of that pot... just how heavy is it? I like the idea of a garden ornament but not sold on the flower pot idea unless you can lift out a plant/pot liner.

 

[oosik]

Dragoneggs - its heavier than the bag of dog food I just lugged in the house. So - I would guess around 50 to 55 pounds.

Shaneard - I have three cotton "wicks" - - look like cotton rope to me. Put them in the pot - a coil at the bottom and up and out over the side. They will wick out excess water. I will have to see how they work. Don't want to have to drill holes.

BTW - the crack is just behind the "handle lug" on right side - not visible in either picture.

 

[Big Barn]

Shaneard - I have three cotton "wicks" - - look like cotton rope to me. Put them in the pot - a coil at the bottom and up and out over the side. They will wick out excess water. I will have to see how they work. Don't want to have to drill holes.
.

Okay. SO now you’re saying the problem is you need MORE cracks??