DannyD

You need a cupola furnace for cast iron. They are easy to build. Look on the Lindsay Books website for some great how to books on the subject. I would ask are you wanting to pour cast iron or make wrought iron from ore?

This poem was published in the Anvils Ring back in the 1980's. I keep a copy of it tacked up on the wall in my shop.

Under the spreading sheet metal roof
(Chestnuts died out of a blight in '31)
The outcast smithy stands
His clothes are black and sooty
For that's where he wipes his hands.

His creativity stiffled,
History drowned in future's pool
His neighbors' complaints are rifled
At the pounding of this fool.

The ringing of the anvil
Echos it's past to all,
But petitions from the present
Brings the ringing of the law.

The noise they say just wrecks their nerves.
Our ears they ring in pain.
The smoke clouds up the neighborhood.
The coal dust ...acid rain.

What is this fool, a pilgrim?
Someone arrived too late?
Who dreams of handmade follies,
And good things are worth the wait.

Whose bellows gasp for one last breath
to forge it's form, it's art,
Just a crusty old smithy
In a 20th century heart.

By Mike Haun

When I posted this question I capitalized certian words hoping that I would not have to explain every detail of the repair job I face. I said arc welding was my ONLY choice and this is why. The gates were cut free of the stone posts at the hinges with a torch, not by me I might add. The eye of the hinge was split like a Babbitt bearing cap. The gates will be painted before installation. Even if arc welding had not been invented yet, forge welding is out of the question. Half of the hinge is still in the post. The weld has to be made with the gate and hinge in place. Gas welding would take a long time and a LOT of heat. There are four vertical butt weld joints in 3/4" X 2" flat bar. Now, back to my original question, Is there anyone who knows the proper techinque for arc welding wrought iron with a stick machine? It was mentoined to use 6010 6011 7018 or 7014 to do the job. No doubt all of these rods will stick it back together but is one better than the other? What about a nickel rod? These welds will hold all the weight of the gates, about 500 LBS each. I guess what I would like to hear from someone is, "Use a XXXX rod. It has been tested and produces high strenght welds in wrought iron" Thanks for all the answers so far. Danny

I have some gate hinges made out of real WROUGHT IRON, not mild steel or cast iron. My ONLY choice in repairing them is ELECTRIC WELDING. What welding electrode would be suitable for a vertical weld in wrought iron? Thanks, Danny