Cast iron hinge

[yanmars]

I have an old cast iron hinge that is frozen. I have removed it. Tried penetrant, heating it. Hitting on it gently as I do not want to break it. As it has some size I am soaking it in new transmission fluid just hoping it might get into all areas to "free" it up. Any thoughts? thanks

 

[AndyM1]

50/50 acetone / transmission fluid seems to work well

 

[WranglerX]

Some people say diesel fuel works...

 

[rScotty]

I have an old cast iron hinge that is frozen. I have removed it. Tried penetrant, heating it. Hitting on it gently as I do not want to break it. As it has some size I am soaking it in new transmission fluid just hoping it might get into all areas to "free" it up. Any thoughts? thanks

At this point you've soaked it pretty good. Now I'd try some heat. Not too much, just about spit-sizzle hot, and concentrate on the area surrounding the hinge pin - but not the hinge pin itself. A heat gun would be good for this. Then try to see if you can get any movement when it is heated. Any movement at all means back it goes for more soaking - with the knowledge that you are going to eventually win. It takes time.

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

Try an overnight soak in Evapo-Rust.

 

[Wagtail]

I thought that an application of "Tabasco Sauce" would free something like this up.

Not immediately, but give it 24 hours.

I advised a friend to try this and, apparently, it worked. I've not tried it myself.

 

[Smokeydog]

Soak time will help loosen the chemical rust embrace. Be patient. Heat, soak, gently tap and try to move, repeat. Cast iron has no bend, almost glass like yield strength. Be gentle. Restorers use electrolysis to reverse oxidation and ultrasonics for micro percussion to clean to hurry the process along. Time is your friend. Usually the bigger the piece the longer the time.

The hinge pin might be of different metal and will have to be evaluated for fitment whether needing to be replaced.

Restoring old iron has a special satisfaction. Good luck.

 

[yanmars]

Finally got it to move some. Then it fell on the concrete floor and broke the decorative finial on top. Not so bad as it does not hurt the function and it gives a bit of a recess to get more penetrant down the shaft. I can leave that off or fix it later. Still pretty stiff but heading the right direction.

 

[Williy]

You can weld cast iron

willy

 

[yanmars]

Got it working freely and back on item it came from. Finial also reattached. Quite the process but I had the time and did not rush or force it. Other than falling out of the vise, since repaired.

 

[pmsmechanic]

A picture would be nice.