Welding Cast to Mild Steel

[Rgillard]

Hi Guys,

I'm installing a steering rack on my off road buggy but am having trouble welding it. I think that the rack is cast. A neighbour of mine told me it was possible if i heated the cast up using the Oxy Acetelene and then welding it immediately. Is there special rods that I need in order to do this or has anyone any other techniques for joining the two materials...

Regards,
Ronan

 

[lhfarm]

I would check with the folks over on the Hobart Welders board http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/. They are very friendly and extremely helpful.

 

[John47]

Hi Guys,

I'm installing a steering rack on my off road buggy but am having trouble welding it. I think that the rack is cast. A neighbour of mine told me it was possible if i heated the cast up using the Oxy Acetelene and then welding it immediately. Is there special rods that I need in order to do this or has anyone any other techniques for joining the two materials...

Regards,
Ronan

I don't think it's possible. Welding cast isn't easy for the novice welder, I was taught how to gas weld and braze cast iron years ago when I was an apprentice. I think you will find, it will crack along the weld seam when the cast cools down.
You could try brazing them together, I'm still not sure even that would hold though.

 

[HGM]

Cant you just weld brackets to the frame to mount the box? If there arent any mounts on the box, can you make bushings for it to set in that will mount to the frame? Just a thought, personally I would want it removable..

 

[geneP]

Hi Guys,

I'm installing a steering rack on my off road buggy but am having trouble welding it. I think that the rack is cast. A neighbour of mine told me it was possible if i heated the cast up using the Oxy Acetelene and then welding it immediately. Is there special rods that I need in order to do this or has anyone any other techniques for joining the two materials...

Regards,
Ronan

It appears you have it positioned like you want it, would it work to use some "U" bolts or straps and bolt them through the metal mounting plate?

 

[gotrocks]

I've had good luck over the years using JB Weld.
It's tough stuff.

 

[Dargo]

Don't use JB Weld for that. Elmer's glue would work about as well. Go here: http://www.muggyweld.com/castiron.html and check out that site. I've used some of their rods with high nickel content when welding cast iron with decent results. It's really not that hard to do, but I would get a few pieces of scrap to practice on first. Good luck!

 

[bx23barry]

Find the stock mounts for the rack and bolt it in correctly. This steering and can get you killed. Don't weld on it!

 

[schmism]

you wont be able to weld it.

at best you could braze it but i wouldnt consider that strong enough for my stearing system. expecially on an off road buggy that is going to get beat on.

 

[Egon]

As per others, make a bracket as the weld just is not going to work properly.