boiler repair

[sparky123]

tomorrow I have to weld closed a 1/2 inch hole in a large boiler tank. I think it is most likly cast iron but I haven't seen it yet. DC stick is the mechine I have avalible. Rod and setting would be greatly helpful thanks, NICK

[nfinch86]

tomorrow I have to weld closed a 1/2 inch hole in a large boiler tank. I think it is most likly cast iron but I haven't seen it yet. DC stick is the mechine I have avalible. Rod and setting would be greatly helpful thanks, NICK

HI; CAST IRON - Ni-Rod a couple different kinds; Ni-55, Ni-99 & so on..... Norm : SETTINGS?.. SIMILAR to 7018 if I recall :

[enlpck]

tomorrow I have to weld closed a 1/2 inch hole in a large boiler tank. I think it is most likly cast iron but I haven't seen it yet. DC stick is the mechine I have avalible. Rod and setting would be greatly helpful thanks, NICK

Is this a pressure retaining part? If so, you may be in a world of liability touching it.

I am presuming, based on your question, that you have not been given clear detail about the material, required procedures, etc. If you are in Michigan, you MUST have authorization (NBIC 'R' stamp or Mich state, according to my ref book...) and approved procedures ('R' stamp: generally ASME Sec IX, unless the manual specifies other options.... State: my ref doesn't say, other than to note that the state accepts ASME Sec IX)

If it is NOT pressure retaining, you may still want to consider carefully, if it is a part that could be safety critical.

Mich law: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(wdwvha453gdds52qbstv3d55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-408-768

[PTsideshow]

Here is the other rules and admincode http://www.state.mi.us/orr/emi/admincode.asp?AdminCode=Single&Admin_Num=40804001&Dpt=CI&RngHigh=

Has having spent 34 plus years operating boilers in the state of Michigan. If you aren't licensed to do it you don't want to touch it.
From the sound of it cast iron. It probably is a cast iron sectional boiler. Which if it is we would take a section that was leaking out. Put new gaskets in and put it back together. as welding them never was satisfactory. And you never can seem to find a new replacement section.:D

[burninbriar]

I looked it up in my 1947 edition of the welding encyclopedia and they have warnings of the critical nature of the way the boiler sections are made. I didn't study it but the first method they mention is OA welding with cast rods and complete preheat and post heat. The second way is OA brazing with bronze rod and then they mention arc process with copper rods. That is foreign to me.
Last they do mention low carbon steel rod but don't elaborate on it.

I just looked again and I think the copper, monel and bronze rods they mention for the arc process is using carbon arc process.

[bretsk2500]

If I were you, I'd walk away from that job...

[griff01]

tomorrow I have to weld closed a 1/2 inch hole in a large boiler tank. I think it is most likly cast iron but I haven't seen it yet. DC stick is the mechine I have avalible. Rod and setting would be greatly helpful thanks, NICK

No offense intended here. If you are having to ask how, a boiler is not the place to practice or experiment.

Sorry
Griff

[FusionKing]

tomorrow I have to weld closed a 1/2 inch hole in a large boiler tank. I think it is most likly cast iron but I haven't seen it yet. DC stick is the mechine I have avalible. Rod and setting would be greatly helpful thanks, NICK


This could be about the stupidist thing I have suggested for awhile... but a 1/2" hole might be easily fixed simply by putting a nut and bolt in it. Or a pipe plug?

[sparky123]

I looked at the job today and walked away. It was a 1/2 inch rust hole with a spider web of cracks raadiating from it. It was only met to be a tempory fix if I could do anything untill the new boiler arrived at the end of the week. Thanks for your input.

[FusionKing]

I looked at the job today and walked away. It was a 1/2 inch rust hole with a spider web of cracks raadiating from it. It was only met to be a tempory fix if I could do anything untill the new boiler arrived at the end of the week. Thanks for your input.

Very smart move on your part. Stay in this biz long enuff and you'll walk away from a lot more.:cool:

[Bodybagger]

I read a book some years ago called "Why Buildings Fall Down" by Mario Salvadori in which I recall reading that the author was an expert witness at trial after investigating the explosion of a boiler or some sort of pressure vessel that seriously damaged a building. I don't have it in front of me but I think the tank was somehow repaired or modified.

I admit I thought of that book and that situation when I read this.

[enlpck]

The latest edition of the National Board magazine has a summary of the report on the _Norway_ boiler explosion (cruise ship-- killed 10 people in 2003). Really shows the risks: improper repair, improper maintainence, improper oversight from the underwriter, improper operation all contributed, but the root cause was an improper repair.

http://www.nationalboard.org/SiteDocuments/E-Publications/fall08web.pdf

[fjk]

I read a book some years ago called "Why Buildings Fall Down" by Mario Salvadori

he also wrote "why buildings stand up"
(i'm not smart enough to have made that up ;)
both of them good books that i recommend to anyone who
is interested in making things.

frank