Cast iron cover - weld or braze?

[Pete.]

I have this cast iron cover that is not easily replaceable. It's an end-cover for a lathe and it has four cracks in it. I have brazing facilities, and access to mig and stick welders.

Someone has already had a crack (literally) at welding it up on the inside but has failed miserably. I'd like to do a permanent repair. It's being painted so an invisible repair isn't required.

How would you go about it?

 

[Pete.]

Rear of casing. Thickness is about 8-10mm.

 

[shenion]

I'd braze it. Given the number of cracks, it must be brittle and probably will crack more if welded.

 

[brightspark]

if u braze it with oxy acetylene it will need heating up with a propane torch to a dull red to get anywhere near hot enough for the braze to run with the oxy torch

 

[Rudi McAnichal]

What about reinforcing plates (say 2mm steel) fixed with Araldite? It looks as though you could fit wide strips, giving a large surface area for the adhesive. If there is enough clearance to fit plates on the inside, the repair would be unobtrusive.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

id make a plate form carbon steel and stich it, looks realy brittle to join with weld or braze

 

[Pete.]

Cheers folks, given me a lot to think about.