Welding cast steel to mild steel..

[God mode restorations]

Evening all...I got some mig welding to do on one of my old chaps projects...is it posible to mig weld cast steel to mild steel...I have stick welded similar with 2.5 disimler rods but not with mig....material thickness is 5mm .....

 

[Paul.]

If its a cast steel it may weld ok with ordinary wire, although there are many different grades and I would probably stick weld it with a dissimilar rod,
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/cast-steel.htm

 

[Bill Edwards]

The problem with cast steel is not that it's cast, but that you don't know what the steel is.

Often things will MIG up perfectly well, but if it's an important/critical job then you have to treat it as something which won't like being welded and do as Tig Paul suggests - use a dissimilar filler which will work with just about anything.

 

[Kent]

If your unsure I should use a new 7018 and peen it moderately. Cast steel is of course how finials and railheads are made but what cast steel? welding to mild steel rolled could go a dream just migin' it up like it was anything else though. Are the welds under real force and is it safety critical?

 

[TechnicAl]

Thats right.......casting is just the way its been shaped........however if its mild steel it will be slightly harder as the Silicon content will be higher.........Silicon helps the steel "flow" into the casting mould........its like adding fairy liquid to water.

Id do same as Paul and use a dissimilar

 

[God mode restorations]

It's a not a strength critical part....will give it a go with the rods and see how I get on..as it's raining hear in Essex so it will have to wait now...thanks guys....

 

[Kent]

Thats right.......casting is just the way its been shaped........however if its mild steel it will be slightly harder as the Silicon content will be higher.........Silicon helps the steel "flow" into the casting mould........its like adding fairy liquid to water.

Id do same as Paul and use a dissimilar

Al,
What type of casting are finials, railheads, balls etc likely done in? Have always just Migged them on used a bog standard 6013 rod , never seen a problem but what might be the very best consumables likely be?

 

[TechnicAl]

Al,
What type of casting are finials, railheads, balls etc likely done in? Have always just Migged them on used a bog standard 6013 rod , never seen a problem but what might be the very best consumables likely be?

Do you mean decorative parts?
I think its just Mild Steel so what youve used sounds perfect

The only issue is if they are galvanised afterwards. The welds and the cast parts have higher Silicon so they attract Zinc better and the thicker layer is sometimes obvious.....doesnt matter in most cases

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Al,
What type of casting are finials, railheads, balls etc likely done in? Have always just Migged them on used a bog standard 6013 rod , never seen a problem but what might be the very best consumables likely be?

How the hell do your get your mig to feed a 6013 rod

 

[Kent]

How the hell do your get your mig to feed a 6013 rod

BIG tip

oops

 

[Tinbasherdan]

That's it Kent, think of this like the younger lion forcing the old, knackered lion out of the pride. I expect the workshop keys and order book by noon tomoro

 

[Kent]

Do you mean decorative parts?
I think its just Mild Steel so what youve used sounds perfect

The only issue is if they are galvanised afterwards. The welds and the cast parts have higher Silicon so they attract Zinc better and the thicker layer is sometimes obvious.....doesnt matter in most cases

Yes those are all decorative bits. To be honest spark test is as far as I ever go, if it looks right then I just buzz it up with what I have to hand

 

[Kent]

That's it Kent, think of this like the younger lion forcing the old, knackered lion out of the pride. I expect the workshop keys and order book by noon tomoro

Steady on now this old lion has big paws 'n a nasty bite