Cast iron is an important material used in many manufacturing and construction companies. Normally, cast iron is considered brittle, however, it is prone to cracks and breaks if not properly managed. Damages to cast iron can be caused by harsh weather conditions, thermal gradients, or physical shucks. It can be frustrating when if your tools crack, however, this can be fixed easily. Your best bet is to use some recommended methods which shall be highlighted in this article to repair your cast iron.
Using Cold metal Stitching
Cold metal stitching remains the best cast iron repairs method ideal for your tools. This is better than welding and an ideal cast iron repair method. Here are steps to repair your cast iron via cold metal stitching:
Evaluate the Cast iron crack
The most important step for this repair method is the diagnosis of the crack. This is best for pieces with thicknesses up to 3/16 inches. The extent of the crack will give you an insight if it can be fixed or not. Also, this diagnosis will help determine the cause of the crack for future prevention.
Drilling holes
After evaluating the cast iron, you will need to drill holes through the cracks. The drilled holes should be spaced at specific intervals. For the best results, you could use a guide to avoid mistakes.
Put the metal stitches
Another vital part of this process is the insertion of metal keys. These keys or stitches provide the strength necessary to hold cracked parts together. These metals are necessary otherwise the procedure would fail.
Join the rows of holes
After you have stitched the holes, you will need to join them together. You will do this through the shoulders of the holes which will serve as holding points.
Using Epoxy Putty to repair cast iron
Another viable way for cast iron repairs is by using epoxy putty. Here is how you can do this:
Buy epoxy putties
You need to buy a good brand when it comes to epoxy putty. Quick steel or JB are some of the reliable and affordable brands you could use. They will see etas glue and help fill the crack cast iron with a seal.
Use a grit sandpaper
Before applying the epoxy putty, you need to use 80-grit sandpaper to eradicate rust and paint which might have covered the crack. To prevent the crack from increasing avoid using circular movements.
Clean with clean cloth and water
After using sandpaper on the surface of the cracked cast iron, get a cloth and water to clean the surface. You could apply some liquid for better treatment and scrub lightly. Leave to dry for some minutes before applying the epoxy putty.
Paint over the sealed crack
This is the final step when using epoxy and it’s very important. Painting the sealed crack helps improve durability and lets the repaired cast iron part match the texture of the other parts.
When thinking of the best-cast iron repair solution for your equipment, consider the following solutions for an effective repair. Follow the steps discussed above and you will have your equipment back in good shape.