Is it OK to weld closed some drilled holes in my 1960's truck frame?

[Big Barn]

Cut an appropriately short section of 7//16 bolt or (1/2”), pound it into the hole and grind flush.
Prime and paint.

 

[yomax4]

As a quick backing for filling holes, I used to use a charcoal briquet. Worked perfect and didn't have to waste my copper or brass.

 

[dragoneggs]

As a quick backing for filling holes, I used to use a charcoal briquet. Worked perfect and didn't have to waste my copper or brass.

Hmmm... interesting. But why charcoal?

As far as plugging the holes for esthetic reasons, you could clean the insides with a wire bottle brush, tape one side to dam it up and use some two epoxy to fill. Sand flush, prime and paint.

 

[yomax4]

Hmmm... interesting. But why charcoal?

As far as plugging the holes for esthetic reasons, you could clean the insides with a wire bottle brush, tape one side to dam it up and use some two epoxy to fill. Sand flush, prime and paint.

Weld doesn't stick to charcoal. For a small frame hole no backing would really be needed. We also used to use round charcoal "sticks" to repair elongated holes to make them round again. Stick one in the elongated hole and weld around it, Grind it down, no longer elongated. Or even to fix broken screw holes in aluminum motorcycle cases. Stick the carbon in the threaded hole and weld around it, chase the threads and done. Charcoal is great for those things. I have a bunch of different sizes of charcoal sticks, metric too.

 

[Big Barn]

Weld doesn't stick to charcoal. For a small frame hole no backing would really be needed. We also used to use round charcoal "sticks" to repair elongated holes to make them round again. Stick one in the elongated hole and weld around it, Grind it down, no longer elongated. Or even to fix broken screw holes in aluminum motorcycle cases. Stick the carbon in the threaded hole and weld around it, chase the threads and done. Charcoal is great for those things. I have a bunch of different sizes of charcoal sticks, metric too.

Years ago there was an outfit selling “kits” containing an assortment of different diameter carbon rods especially designed for fixing elongated holes in drawbars and implement hitches.

Maybe the kit had carbon backing plates also. Not certain as I was too cheap to buy it.

 

[yomax4]

Years ago there was an outfit selling “kits” containing an assortment of different diameter carbon rods especially designed for fixing elongated holes in drawbars and implement hitches.

Maybe the kit had carbon backing plates also. Not certain as I was too cheap to buy it.

I've sold the kits way back in the 90's. I used to do a ton of aluminum case repair for the cycle shops in my area. small carbons were a must. I have a bunch of Metric ones left if anyone wants them. They can be sanded down easily to fit and they are pretty hard and dense. Fun stuff.

 

[goeduck]

We are talking about a 51 year old truck frame with no visible crack issues on the frame in the area of holes drilled many, many years ago. Why fuss with it?

 

[CADplans]

It is an appearance thing,,, USE JB WELD epoxy,,, :thumbsup:

 

[sixdogs]

We are talking about a 51 year old truck frame with no visible crack issues on the frame in the area of holes drilled many, many years ago. Why fuss with it?

It's had a lot of years with no weight so now it matters. Has no bed on it now so opportunity knocks.

It is an appearance thing,,, USE JB WELD epoxy,,, :thumbsup:

Just a strength thing. I would agree JB Weld makes lots of things look better.

 

[jaxs]

It's had a lot of years with no weight so now it matters. Has no bed on it now so opportunity knocks.

Just a strength thing. I would agree JB Weld makes lots of things look better.

I believe welding will actually weaken the frame. At least do some research before wading in.