jjibs
Member
HI, anyone arc weld hairpin brackets to a Model A Ford front axle? If so what amp setting and rod did you use? Thanks
Yea you gays are right
Sorry about that. Meant GUYS.I can't speak for everybody, but I can't believe that not one of the fellas that respoded is straight.
Jjibs, Sorry, I misssed the ARC in the question, that darn speed reading course that I never took. I also think you should not give up so easy. You may still be able to work with that axle. Can you post a picture? What I picture in my head is probably not the same.
I like the idea of making a bolt on saftey. The thing you have to look at is what the base metal is in the axle. You can tell alot by running a grinder lightly over the axle. Cast iron usually throws of heavy dark sparks, as compared to steel which throws a lighter color and smaller spark. Hardened steel throws a very light and very small spark. We used to test metals with a torch, but it screws up the metal. Cast won't cut, ( or wont cut well with a torch), but the sparks let you know what metal you have. This also takes experience, knowing what I am talking about and being able to compare sparks.
Once you know what you are working with, Don't even bother welding cast, even with Nickle rod, or MIG, for an axle, you cant trust it to hold. More than likely you have a drop forged axle, which is great to weld on. The fact that the holes are egged out means that it is probably softter metal, unless they are worn holes. I think you could either drop in a bushing and weld it, or weld it shut and re-drill. If you are worried about changing the properties of the metal pre heat and post heat the area you are working with. Even drop forged can get brittle if it cools too fast. (Don't use water to cool it down). For ARC welding, generally you have more options with a D.C. rig.
But rod size will make a difference as well. Mild steel rod like 6010,6011,6013 will work, or a Low hydrogen rod like 7018 will make a harder weld.
This is just the tip of what you need to know. Thats why I say if you don't know this stuff, it could be dangerous. Post us a picture.
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