RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 Well, after years of contemplating tig welding a crack in an extra headlight bucket I have, I went ahead and done did it. I apologise that I only took after pics. I do know that the cleaner the metal the better the conditions for a nice weld. I did use acetone and gave it my best college try. There must be a lot of crap in pot metal because it sure welded like dirty oily aluminum. I marked one pic with a sharpie where the original crack was on the top. Years ago I drilled the end of the crack top side, but the angle of the drill bit didn't follow the crack edge as shown from the back side pic. That pic shows the crack extends past the drill hole, which popped when welding causing a larger hole. I also ground a V in the top side of the crack before welding it. I was a bit leery of applying too much heat and causing a fallout of the base metal. The filler rod and be metal's melting point were different which made for an even more difficult weld. I believe I'll run a filler less bead on the back side to finish the repair. All in all it wasn't too difficult, just more irritating than difficult. I certainly won't hesitate to do more welding on pot metal when needed. 4 uapedVem, Selmadox, kapedVem and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 This stuff has a fine line between, it welded and oh crap it melted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,112 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 It should really be clean front and back for the best weld ,it acts more like solder than a weld Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 Ya, I know I should've cleaned up the back side as well. Luckily I can get to the entire rear crack area for clean up and torch access. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave R. 85 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 I have never used a product called Muggy Weld but the videos on their website are impressive. This stuff is designed for pot metal. Anyone have experience with Muggy Weld? Dave R. If this shows up with imogies or thumbnails they aren't mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 I have been wanting to try my New Miller Tig out on some pot metal but don't have any that is messed up beyond repair LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 let me rephrase that..i don't have any that is messed up so bad it cant be used as is on a car Hahah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machspeed 219 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 This stuff has a fine line between, it welded and oh crap it melted You got that right.....been there and done that....lol! Good job, RPM! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969_Mach1 333 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 RPM, you got one side welded and looks okay. Instead of "fusing" (welding without filler material) the back side, can you braze it and reduce damaging what you have successfully done? I know brazing is not fusing metal together and it might not sound a cool as TIG welding, but in some cases it is suitable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 RPM, you got one side welded and looks okay. Instead of "fusing" (welding without filler material) the back side, can you braze it and reduce damaging what you have successfully done? I know brazing is not fusing metal together and it might not sound a cool as TIG welding, but in some cases it is suitable. There is a process where guys braze with a tig, so you don't lose the cool factor :-) Even using a gas lens and have some good stick out with the tungsten there's not a bunch of room in there for the torch and the filler rod. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 7, 2017 So I was feeling lucky after welding on the fender extension and decide to try my luck on the shaker ring which has a crack at the rear center ridge. Cleaned it up real nicely to bare metal and wiped with acetone. Set the tig to 25 amps. This stuff has a fine line between, it welded and oh crap it melted Oh ya, had a dime sized piece fall out. Oy! No bueno Paco. I'm guessing the mass of the extension helped it absorb the heat. Think I'll try some Steel Stik with something to reinforce it, maybe #3 rebar would work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barnett468 418 Report post Posted January 8, 2017 Ya, I know I should've cleaned up the back side as well. Luckily I can get to the entire rear crack area for clean up and torch access. After years of meticulous and "exhaustive" research, I have found that the product below works best for that particular application. . 2 Midlife and Ridge Runner reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barnett468 418 Report post Posted January 8, 2017 So I was feeling lucky after welding on the fender extension and decide to try my luck on the shaker ring which has a crack at the rear center ridge. Cleaned it up real nicely to bare metal and wiped with acetone. Set the tig to 25 amps. Oh ya, had a dime sized piece fall out. Oy! No bueno Paco. I'm guessing the mass of the extension helped it absorb the heat. Think I'll try some Steel Stik with something to reinforce it, maybe #3 rebar would work. you can sometimes use aluma rod and a torch for welding aluminum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
427Stang 23 Report post Posted January 9, 2017 I have never used a product called Muggy Weld but the videos on their website are impressive. This stuff is designed for pot metal. Anyone have experience with Muggy Weld? Dave R. If this shows up with imogies or thumbnails they aren't mine. I have used Muggy Weld Super Alloy 1 to repair broken studs to convertible well trim. It works great. Just practice a bit first. http://muggyweld.com/super-alloy-1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 9, 2017 After years of meticulous and "exhaustive" research, I have found that the product below works best for that particular application. . LMAO!!! Suppose I should proof read for double meanings. Too funny! 2 latoracing and barnett468 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barnett468 418 Report post Posted January 9, 2017 LMAO!!! Suppose I should proof read for double meanings. Too funny! No...please don't, it's far more entertaining the other way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
