Oops- should have read todays posts Before welding front axle...

[sd455dan]

Had a crack in a previous owner repair of my Ford 3000 front axle

Thought I really want to try some 5/32 rod at over 200 amps dc with my old Lincoln Tig 300-300 so I ground out the weld with a carbide bit
And set the welder to 225 amps dc+ stuck in new 5/32 7018 and just laid down one big bead and then another right next to the first one before knocking slag off and starting second weld I did peen it a bit with the slag hammer.
Then ground it down a bit and took the old 3000 out and with the dozer took out another tree and then removed some roots and disced the area good with the Ford
moved a stump and back dragged the drive a bit ,parked it and gave the weld area a good look and everything looks the same- But read the post today about doing short low heat welds on Cast- This appears from a spark test to be steel not cast iron
So I guess i will continue to check it often- and if it does crack again I will start over-But wondering if this was that wrong of a way to do the repair??

 

[Shield Arc]

If it is cast steel, a little pre heat, and post weld slow cool down would have been the best way to go. But maybe it cooled slow anyway.
It will be interesting to see how it holds up!

 

[sd455dan]

well I am sure of one thing- the old Lincoln wasn't even breathing hard and I don't think there is Any way my Chinese 200 amp inverter could melt that 5/32 rod like that- I did try one pre test with the 5/32 rod in a fillet weld with the Lincoln
and was so happy with how this 1st try with that rod- that I went looking for (something/anything) to weld and the ford was it.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've repaired a lot of cast steel pile driving gear with 7018. One time I spent all night welding a 4-inch thick sticker plate back together that broke in half.

 

[sd455dan]

Wow 4 inch thick? What thickness of 7018 and how many amps did those welds take?

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh God that was in the early 1980s. I'm sure it was at least 5/32-inch 7018. We were building a sheet pile cofferdam cell, driving 60-feet long sheet pile. Working 2-shifts. The follower / sticker plate broke right at the end of day shift. I got elected to stay and weld it back together. So it would be ready for the day shift.