Welding in domestic oven

[richmurphy77]

Hi,

Trying to be a good husband, I thought id clean out our oven which meant removing a plate at the rear. I've managed to shear off 2 bolts holding the plate and I was thinking to weld a thread back on before my wife notices. Ive already tried accessing the rear of the bolts to replace them outright but its difficult and messy with all that nasty insulation material.

Im wondering if there would be any health risks when cooking in the oven after welding....? Obviously things like wire racks inside the oven must be welded so im assuming its safe but thought id ask the question. Im using flux but can use gas if it helps any. Max temperature in the oven is 300 degrees celcius.

Thanks,
Richard.

 

[cumbriasteve]

As long as you take the cakes out first it will be fine, weld splatter between the teeth can be a bit chewy.

Seriously: no problems at all, as long as you do not affect anything close by with the welding heat, wiring etc behind the weld area.

 

[Rig Pig]

Can't you drill and tap from inside the oven?

 

[gordon stephenson]

Or drill and fit rivnuts. Or even just self tapping screws, Cant imagine they are holding much weight.

 

[500e]

Teach you to fiddle with things you don't understand

 

[richmurphy77]

I thought about tapping a new thread but the existing bolt is quite small (doesnt hold much weight as gorden pointed out). The nut itself is only 8mm so there isnt much material to work with.

So its safe to use flux or should I go with gas? I realise the flux should burn off during the weld.

 

[the snooper]

I think I would be tempted to drill and tap first with nothing to lose it will be neater then welding, and with it being a food oven there maybe some grease to cause a bit of trouble with the welds

 

[cumbriasteve]

So its safe to use flux or should I go with gas? I realise the flux should burn off during the weld.

It makes no difference, you won't be leaving a harmful material in the oven whichever way you go, clean off the slag of course if you use fluxed wire, or the changing heat could make it pop off onto the food.

 

[mike os]

my guess is too thin to tap, and unless you have access to the back you risk drilling into something like a cable or temp sensor... same with self tappers...

just weld it in or take it apart...

 

[the snooper]

my guess is too thin to tap, and unless you have access to the back you risk drilling into something like a cable or temp sensor... same with self tappers...

just weld it in or take it apart...

with welding you risk damaging the enamel finish in the oven though, and the op said he sheared off bolts so there must be captive nuts behind there as you have pointed out about cable and sensors you also have to think about the heat from the welding which is obviously way higher then the oven

 

[richmurphy77]

with welding you risk damaging the enamel finish in the oven though, and the op said he sheared off bolts so there must be captive nuts behind there as you have pointed out about cable and sensors you also have to think about the heat from the welding which is obviously way higher then the oven

The rear is like a flat washer and it just spins when I turn the 8mm nut inside. Id have to drill it out completely and in order to do that id need to remove all the dusty insulation. Its not asbestos but none of that stuff is good news in your lungs. It spread all over my kitchen just by taking off the rear cover so id rather not disturb it.

Ill have a go at drilling a pilot for a self tapping screw. It cant hurt to try. Thanks all for your advice.

 

[brightspark]

the most important thing is run it up to temrerature when u are finished for 15 mins otherwise the food will stink of the welding fumes then u will ber in the doghouse and no grub

 

[Jan]

Is there room to insert a 'self-tapper' clip? I don't know the correct term for them, but they're a strip of metal, folded in half, with a plain hole on one face and a split hole on the other such that they align with the original hole and permit a small screw to pass all the way through and then the screw threads bite into the under side.

 

[octo0072000]

Is there room to insert a 'self-tapper' clip? I don't know the correct term for them, but they're a strip of metal, folded in half, with a plain hole on one face and a split hole on the other such that they align with the original hole and permit a small screw to pass all the way through and then the screw threads bite into the under side.

speed clip or spire clip see link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PACK-OF-2...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35dc540c34

 

[Jan]

Them's the little buggers. Saved my bacon more than a few times in years gone by. Worth their weight in fivers1

 

[KemppiFrog]

Did this for a friend's oven. Back plate covering the the fan and heater coil refused to come nicely. So drilled/ground/sheared the screws out and put in fresh ones through the insulation at the back.
Her hubby watched what I was up to, and told me he was looking carefully so he could tell everybody how he did it.
KF
Welding would be pretty low on my ideas of fixing an oven

 

[brightspark]

a couple of self tappers and a couple of home made zigzag brackes would fit in fine . thats all i do to fix punters ovens if it happens