Iron welding?

[KemppiFrog]

Hi,
I have been welding some old gates. Mixture of MIG & stick. The welds are porous and when broken, somewhat crystaline. I think it might be mallable iron, not mild steel. Any ideas on this and correct welding?
KF

 

[KemppiFrog]

Seems I missed the tutorial on wrought iron, which is what it appears to be from reading.
KF

 

[TechnicAl]

If its wrought iron the fractured faces will appear lamellar, a bit like a broken piece of wood. If you are welding together dont expect a good weld. It will usually be porous and may even crack. A 7016 stick often gives the best result along with a lot of grinding. Weld a bit, grind it, weld a bit more etc etc.
You can use MIG but you will probably use the grinder more

 

[KemppiFrog]

Thanks Al,
Yes, the breaks were 'layered'. I managed to get a good enough weld to keep them together and join the replacement mild lower sections. If it was a chassis I wouldn't do it, but the last time wrought was used for that, it was pulled by a horse.
KF