Which Method Stainless Hinges To Cast Casting??

[drizler]

This is going on a guys sap evaporator for maple syrup. He has a set of stainless hinges that have to go onto a cast iron part of the evap system. I guess bolting isn't possible. What is the best way? Can it be brazed and if so what type to use.

[Hotfoot]

Bolt them to a cast iron plate, weld the plate to the vessel maybe??

[yorkiepap]

Hey drizler,
There is a process I use for cast iron repairs I learned about several months ago from some research in an old Lincoln welding book & a couple of posts from other sites. It is called Cold Welding Cast With MIG and I use it exclusively now for cracked castings & have had superb results & success. I use .030 or .035 309L SS wire & weld, usually in the 60A range, in very short fillets not exceeding 1/2" in length to keep the casting "cool". You can take off your glove & lay your hand on the cast right after welding & it will feel barely warm. I wait about 15 min. & do another short fillet and just repeat till the entire fillet is complete. You must have the cast surface prepped & bare around the hinge area. Each application is as the first, barely warm & you will not hear the "ugly" sound of "tinkling"(a crack) with the casting. It will give you excellent results & would make for a very good application. Anyway, just a suggestion you may want to consider.... Denny

[Thomas Harris]

I've made syrup before and seen evaporators in use. The arch, which is the fire pot, gets very hot, so brazing may or may not be an option, depending on the exact location of the hinge. Everything attached to the flue or finishing pan should be fairly safe as the liquiid inside will control the heat. These things are unbelieveable in the volume of sap they boil off per hour. That takes a serious wood fire.