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Welding a Cracked Boiler

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Hot_n_Cold
Hot_n_Cold Member Posts: 60
in Pipe Deterioration
Silly question, but it crossed my mind.
Anyone ever hear of someone welding or repairing a cracked boiler?
I assume it's possible... right?
mattmia2Mad Dog_2

Comments

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,709
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    Sometimes with commercial steel boilers. Not usually practical on small cast iron boilers.
    Hot_n_ColdIronmanMad Dog_2
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,388
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    Welding cast iron is astonishingly difficult to do, particularly if there is much of it. Not usually worth it.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    Hot_n_ColdIronmanMikeAmann
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,377
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    It’s also against code on a residential boiler as it voids the ASME certification.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    mattmia2Mad Dog_2kcopp
  • Daveinscranton
    Daveinscranton Member Posts: 148
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    Yes.

    My dad was a welder in WWII in the 757th Railroad Shop Battalion.  His commanding officer asked him to weld a boiler for a French school/orphanage at the tail end of WWII prior to the invasion of Germany.  There was no choice.  Nothing was available.  Wartime.

    He said the boiler was toast.  Goodwill type of thing done by the Army.  He had one drip.  Just as he was about to peen the drip, his Captain had hammer in hand and tapped the braze, one expert blow to seal it.

    He hated doing it as he knew the boiler was essentially Swiss cheese and paper thin.  But there was zero choice.

    He would not encourage you (or anyone) to try if he were alive today.
    mattmia2Mad Dog_2PC7060
  • realliveplumber
    realliveplumber Member Posts: 354
    edited February 17
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    Brazing cast iron is a different process than welding it.

    To weld cast iron you need need to pre heat and post heat it. Not practical for a boiler in situ.
    Mad Dog_2ChrisJ
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,798
    edited February 18
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    They would pound in lead :)

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    delcrossvMad Dog_2Daveinscranton
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,055
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    Steel wool & Sal ammoniac...iron filings....aka A Rust Joint.  Mad Dog 🐕 
    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    realliveplumberDaveinscranton
  • MikeAmann
    MikeAmann Member Posts: 998
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    No pictures posted, but what about JB Weld High Temp - either the epoxy syringe or the putty?
    https://www.jbweld.com/product/high-heat-syringe
    https://www.jbweld.com/product/highheat-epoxy-putty
  • guzzinerd
    guzzinerd Member Posts: 239
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    MikeAmann said:
    No pictures posted, but what about JB Weld High Temp - either the epoxy syringe or the putty? https://www.jbweld.com/product/high-heat-syringe https://www.jbweld.com/product/highheat-epoxy-putty
    I've had far better results from Marine Rx (West Marine) than jbweld.  The stuff is amazing.  oil, gas, etc proof. 

    https://www.westmarine.com/travaco-marine-tex-epoxy-putty-repair-kit-white-P004_120_005_502.html


    Bryant 245-8 2-pipe steam in a 1930s 6-unit 1-story apt building in the NM mountains.  26 radiators heating up 3800sqf.

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