Old cast iron soap kettle

[searcyfarms]

I wish I still had our old one from time to time, the tornado in 2004 took it and the entire farm so who knows where its at for sure - I used it to boil and dye traps in it when I was young and prices were good - they are great for a lot of things - we used it to boil water for scalding chickens in too!!

 

[zzvyb6]

I have a coal fired cauldron furnace in which the cauldron sits. You can make 45 gallons of chili or cook maple sirup down to a concentrate.

 

[Jstpssng]

Cooling it is the challenge. Some people will bury it in sand. My cousin used to do a lot of repairs and he would put them in an old gas grill, slowly lowering the burners to regulate the cooling.

 

[Alan W.]

I also vote for brazing. With the old cast pots the material is usually porous compared to more modern castings and the material thickness is not uniform. Both these issues add to the difficulty of welding. Brazing is your best bet if you want to keep using the pot.

I agree the older castings are a nightmare to repair. A friend had an old school bell that the post mount had cracked when the post rotted and it fell over. He was against brazing.
Even with pre post heat and nickle rods it was a mess. I have welded quite a few modern castings and this was unlike any before. Just a small tack would set off a new crack, and there was lots of dirty inclusions cast into it.

 

[yomax4]

I've done a lot of old antique cast iron repair as well. ( 30 years worth ) To blast it with amperage with a Ni stick rod is not a good idea and will be disappointing. It would be an easy repair with Spray Powder, Victor Spray Powder Torch System or 2nd choice Ni Silv brazing rod ( Welco 14FC ) 3rd choice Low fuming bronze. ( Brazing Rod ) None of the oxy-fuel products ( done right ) will cause it to re-crack even during cooling.

 

[oosik]

View attachment 574431 View attachment 574432 THE CONCLUSION. I loaded the old pot into the pickup and in to the local welding shop. The project would be cost prohibitive - the conclusion questionable. Required preheating - some form of spray welding - post heating. If I were going to use the pot for something serious - well, then, maybe.

The old pot has assumed a position of prominence and dignity on the porch of my log work cabin. In the spring I will load it with planting soil and put many colorful flowers in this old pot.

Thank you all for your time and suggestions. They were appreciated - one and all.

 

[Shaneard]

Time to start drilling holes so the flowers don't drown.

 

[dragoneggs]

View attachment 574431 View attachment 574432 THE CONCLUSION. I loaded the old pot into the pickup and in to the local welding shop. The project would be cost prohibitive - the conclusion questionable. Required preheating - some form of spray welding - post heating. If I were going to use the pot for something serious - well, then, maybe.

The old pot has assumed a position of prominence and dignity on the porch of my log work cabin. In the spring I will load it with planting soil and put many colorful flowers in this old pot.

Thank you all for your time and suggestions. They were appreciated - one and all.

Wow, now that I realize the size of that pot... just how heavy is it? I like the idea of a garden ornament but not sold on the flower pot idea unless you can lift out a plant/pot liner.

 

[oosik]

Dragoneggs - its heavier than the bag of dog food I just lugged in the house. So - I would guess around 50 to 55 pounds.

Shaneard - I have three cotton "wicks" - - look like cotton rope to me. Put them in the pot - a coil at the bottom and up and out over the side. They will wick out excess water. I will have to see how they work. Don't want to have to drill holes.

BTW - the crack is just behind the "handle lug" on right side - not visible in either picture.

 

[Big Barn]

Shaneard - I have three cotton "wicks" - - look like cotton rope to me. Put them in the pot - a coil at the bottom and up and out over the side. They will wick out excess water. I will have to see how they work. Don't want to have to drill holes.
.

Okay. SO now you’re saying the problem is you need MORE cracks??