cast iron chiminea

[oxoseven]

I have scrounged a chiminea with a leg missing, the cast iron wall is very thin so when the leg broke away it took roughly 2 sq. inches of the wall attached to it and left a hole. I have made a leg out of mild steel angle iron and would like to know if it is best to have it welded on or drill the chiminea and fix the leg to it with nuts and bolts. I have heard that welding cast is a specialised thing so could any one advise on the easiest way to proceed.
thanks.

 

[Pete.]

I would cut a patch to cover the hole, weld the leg to the patch and bolt the patch to the chimnea.

 

[Brad93]

Thin cast is difficult to weld without cracking due to localised expansion and rapid cooling. Part needs to be warmed very slowly, and heated equally all over.
It will then need to be cooled very slowly, best in a oven/kiln, or in vermiculite (sand works but sucks the heat out initially)

 

[Feet 'n Inches]

Thin cast is difficult to weld without cracking due to localised expansion and rapid cooling. Part needs to be warmed very slowly, and heated equally all over.
It will then need to be cooled very slowly, best in a oven/kiln, or in vermiculite (sand works but sucks the heat out initially)

Tried welding a length of cast guttering with a piece broken out of it without success. Ended up wrapping some mild steel sheet around the affected area and smothering it with gutter sealant.

I had more success with a three-way cast junction box, around a half inch thick, that had three six-inch pipe flanges to distribute flow of sand and water to two different points. The box had frozen and was cracked in many areas. I didn't have the benefit of an oven, the best I could do was a small galvanised bay bath with a hole blown in one side. Having pre-heated and laid down a small amount of weld, I'd post heat initially by playing a torch over the who;le area and then putting the box under the inverted bath, pushing the torch nozzle through the hole in the bath and leaving it for around 5 minutes. I worked on it between other jobs for around a fortnight . . . 100% success on that occasion.

 

[Tom O]

Anyone out your way have a powder/spray welder?
I just picked this one up for $100. Bucks with the RPA3 attachment for cleaner flame.

I also have this type.

 

[Brad93]

View attachment 453100

That's the right kit for cast iron.

 

[lintzbikes]

Hi Brad , unrelated to this thread . You have a post from 2020 about problems with your Colchester bantam. I have exactly the same problem and have found the damaged part. Did you fix yours and where did you get the part?

 

[sardine]

That iron is going to be the worst recycled crap in India . Good luck.

 

[Brad93]

Hi Brad , unrelated to this thread . You have a post from 2020 about problems with your Colchester bantam. I have exactly the same problem and have found the damaged part. Did you fix yours and where did you get the part?

Hi mate, i don't have a Bantam i've got a harrison 140, maybe you're thinking of someone else?

 

[leadpig]

Tig brazing