15 Mar
2012
15 Mar
'12
11:42 p.m.
Hello
I have two problems that I need help with, one is an IBM Card
Interpeter model 552 that has 3 broken legs. I think it's cast iron and
one welder told me he could weld the legs back on the unit. Does anyone
if these can be repaired or should we build a box with wheels to set it
in for museum display? The second problem is a set of Apple MAC 20th
Anv pens that have, the pen bodies have turned very soft and sticky and
help on stopping this so that these too can be part of a display?
Thanks,
John
16 Mar
16 Mar
12:28 a.m.
On 15 Mar 2012 at 19:42, jthecman at netscape.net wrote:
Hello
I have two problems that I need help with, one is an IBM Card
Interpeter model 552 that has 3 broken legs. I think it's cast iron
and one welder told me he could weld the legs back on the unit. Does
anyone if these can be repaired or should we build a box with wheels
to set it in for museum display? The second problem is a set of Apple
MAC 20th Anv pens that have, the pen bodies have turned very soft and
sticky and help on stopping this so that these too can be part of a
display?
Cast iron's a b*tch to repair because it's brittle as glass. That's
why, for instance a pipe cutter for cast iron plumbing simply applies
point-pressure along a line and the pipe just breaks off. That's
also why you can demolish a cast-iron bathtub using nothing more than
a sledge hammer.
I've heard of repairing cast-iron machinery by brazing, rather than
welding (lower temperature), with the cast-iron workpiece pre-heated
to minimize thermal stresses. You should probably stud the parts
together to add some strength and just braze right over the studding.
I've also heard of repairing a preheated cast-iron workpiece by using
stainless filler wire in a MIG welder. There are (expensive) cast-
iron welding rods for use in a normal arc welder, butt he results are
often ugly and accompanied by workpiece cracking--and the joint is
brittle and hard as glass (because of the high carbon content of cast
iron).
Whatever you do, don't have the work done by someone who's never
worked with cast iron. It requires a careful touch; knowing what one
is doing is vital.
Good luck!
--Chuck
1:01 a.m.
On 15 Mar 2012 at 19:42, jthecman at netscape.net wrote:
I have two problems that I need help with, one is an
IBM Card
Interpeter model 552 that has 3 broken legs. I think it's cast iron
and one welder told me he could weld the legs back on the unit.
Two more items; there's a company that makes products for metal-
stitching (no weld):
http://www.locknstitch.com/
And a number of old timers swear by using red cast iron flux and some
cast iron scrap that a good weld can be had with gas welding.
The word here seems to be "do your homework".
--Chuck
1:17 a.m.
On 16 March 2012 09:01, Chuck Guzis <cclist at sydex.com> wrote:
The word here seems to be "do your
homework".
I believe you'll find that's actually three words. ;)
But seriously, yes, don't get this repaired by anybody who's not worked
with cast iron before. The results can be?scratch that, *will*
be?catastrophic. I've seen cast iron kettles (industrial sized, not home
sized) that pretty much literally exploded because of a bad repair job.
--
"Perhaps people don't believe this, but throughout all of the discussions
of entering China our focus has really been what's best for the Chinese
people. It's not been about our revenue or profit or whatnot."
--Sergey Brin, demonstrating the emptiness of the "don't be evil" mantra.
2:42 p.m.
On 3/15/12 6:42 PM, jthecman at netscape.net wrote:
Hello
I have two problems that I need help with, one is an IBM Card Interpeter
model 552 that has 3 broken legs. I think it's cast iron and one welder
told me he could weld the legs back on the unit. Does anyone if these
can be repaired or should we build a box with wheels to set it in for
museum display?
A though.
A couple of points:
If I were doing this the first question would be "Will you run the
machine or is it for display?"
The fact that three legs are broken suggests that if this is going to
be a working exhibit, any repair is likely to fail unless it's
reinforced. If it's going to see any serious use, I'd build a stand for
it. If it's going to see serious use and you really want it original,
have the base recast. Not Cheap.
No offense to anyone, but ignore all the list-members' suggestions
about fluxes, MIG, arc rod, etc. "Cast iron" covers a LOT of alloys,
and by the time that unit was built it's probably actually cast steel.
The welder doing the repair should be able to identify the metal and
suggest the right process.
Finally, ask around a bit if you're going to have the cast base
repaired. If you want a structurally sound repair, you need someone
with specialized skills. I was a welder for quite a few years in the
'70s & '80s and I know just enough about cast-metal repair that I
wouldn't touch this. A welder or blacksmith who specializes in cast
work should have no trouble with it.
Doc
17 Mar
17 Mar
8:33 p.m.
fre 2012-03-16 klockan 09:42 -0500 skrev Doc:
A couple of points:
If I were doing this the first question would be "Will you run the
machine or is it for display?"
The fact that three legs are broken suggests that if this is going to
be a working exhibit, any repair is likely to fail unless it's
reinforced. If it's going to see any serious use, I'd build a stand for
it. If it's going to see serious use and you really want it original,
have the base recast. Not Cheap.
No offense to anyone, but ignore all the list-members' suggestions
about fluxes, MIG, arc rod, etc. "Cast iron" covers a LOT of alloys,
and by the time that unit was built it's probably actually cast steel.
The welder doing the repair should be able to identify the metal and
suggest the right process.
Finally, ask around a bit if you're going to have the cast base
repaired. If you want a structurally sound repair, you need someone
with specialized skills. I was a welder for quite a few years in the
'70s & '80s and I know just enough about cast-metal repair that I
wouldn't touch this. A welder or blacksmith who specializes in cast
work should have no trouble with it.
If you go for a repair the welder should ask for and get an sample of
the stand analysed.
IF it is good cast steel he/she should be able to mend it into something
not far from NEW ! this is very much depending on material.
Steel with good welding properties can be very good and whats more : old
cast steel has as good or better properties than new stuff BUT the
welder must know his work.
In my other hobby, we had a trouble with crack in the spokes on six
locomotive wheels. Motala Verkstad did cut out all the cracks and
rebuild the material with welds.
The wheels was cast in 1911.
The repairs cost 180 000 :- SeK or around 20 000 Euro.
4678
days inactive
4680
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6 comments
6 participants
participants (6)
-
cclist＠sydex.com -
doc＠vaxen.net -
jthecman＠netscape.net -
Stefan.Skoglund＠agj.net -
ttmrichter＠gmail.com -
wdonzelli＠gmail.com