GKChesterton Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 I bought some blacksmithing tools that had been sitting in an old barn, buried and rusted out. One item was a champion blower. It was completely froze up. Lots of lube later, I got it running again and it works beautifully. Blades are very free and it turns easily. Painted it and prettied it up for my forge. Only problem is first day using this, the housing broke. You can see the crack running down the side. Anyone have any advice on fixing this. I've got a little flux wire welder and can certainly run a bead down it, but I'm thinking it is cast iron and the weld may not take well. Any ideas for what I could do here? I've put a lot of effort into this and don't want to give up on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Braze it. Do a proper preheat/slow cool too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Cross posted with Thomas. Great minds... Hope someone comes up with a better solution, but my advice would be to drill a small hole at the end of the crack to stop it progressing further and braze the rest of it shut. As I understand it, welding cast iron is not a simple process. Did you drop it or hit it with something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKChesterton Posted April 2, 2022 Author Share Posted April 2, 2022 Didn't drop it or hit it. I was just turning the handle and it shifted. Looked down and saw the crack. Thanks for the advice. I'll probably try brazing it. Hope it holds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George N. M. Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 You might have slightly over tightened the bolts holding the 2 halves of the blower housing together and the stress relieved via the crack. I suggest drilling a small hole at each end to prevent the crack from propogating and then brazing it. "By hammer and hand all arts do stand." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKChesterton Posted April 6, 2022 Author Share Posted April 6, 2022 The guy who originally sold it to me worked as a welder for forty some odd years. I called him up and he said he would braze it for me for a small fee. Works great so far. I'll send a picture of the fix when I get a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 6, 2022 Share Posted April 6, 2022 Have him drill crack stops first! Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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