Weld or Braze Cracked Vise Nut?

[junktastic]

115 pound Prentiss vise, was free from a buddy, now I know why, but not a big deal. Vise nut is cracked, on the fence between using Ni-Rod(easy pre heat) or brazing it. Anyone got any input on the + or - of either?

 

[Showkey]

Done right both methods will work.........flip a coin ?
Forced to vote........1 vote cast for brazing

 

[royesses]

Braze or silicon bronze.

 

[trainer]

I'd drill a hole at the end of the crack to stop it from spreading, then braze.

 

[marineman]

I'd just use it as is, then when it breaks post a thread about the **** quality of Prentiss vice and buy 2 more in a different brand to make sure I was covered.

 

[joe_padavano]

Brazing is nowhere near as strong as welding.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Don't laugh..

Try flux core from a mig. It'll be stronger than Ni rod and much stronger than braze.

it isn't true cast iron. its a cast steel of some unknown mix. I've fixed quite a few vintage parkers and prentiss's with flux core wire.

my next go to is 309 tig wire...

 

[jessesandy]

A good braze is just as strong, or stronger, than the base metal.
Just like a good weld.

Braze will flow all the way to the bottom/center/inside of that crack.
No worries of creating stress from welding.
Don't let it air cool. If nothing else, bury it in a pile of dirt to cool down.

 

[seber]

A good braze is just as strong, or stronger, than the base metal.
Just like a good weld.

Braze will flow all the way to the bottom/center/inside of that crack.
No worries of creating stress from welding.
Don't let it air cool. If nothing else, bury it in a pile of dirt to cool down.

Right on, all the way.

 

[rsanter]

If you mig weld it you will want to do some pre heating

 

[bob15]

A good braze is just as strong, or stronger, than the base metal.
Just like a good weld.

Braze will flow all the way to the bottom/center/inside of that crack.
No worries of creating stress from welding.
Don't let it air cool. If nothing else, bury it in a pile of dirt to cool down.

Agree. If no sand to bury is around, wrapping in pink insulation will work as well.

I would also drill a hole on each end of the crack to prevent it from spreading.

 

[gte718p]

A good braze is just as strong, or stronger, than the base metal.
Just like a good weld.

Braze will flow all the way to the bottom/center/inside of that crack.
No worries of creating stress from welding.
Don't let it air cool. If nothing else, bury it in a pile of dirt to cool down.

I vote for this method as well. I don't actually braze, but I have had ever machine parts repaired this way and they have proven extremely reliable.

 

[bubinga]

If you mig weld it you will want to do some pre heating

How hot for something like that?
Cherry red?

 

[AngryBeaver]

How hot for something like that?
Cherry red?

depends on the vise. the only one that cracked with no preheat out of a dozen or so I've welded was an older wilton. I ended up with 309 wire and a tig on that one mixed in with some 312.

I'm talking flux core wire, not copper wire with shield. that will crack every time. the flux provides a nice barrier.

If it was true cast iron, you'd need preheat, Nickel Rod and burry it in sand too cool slowly and peen the welded til you're purple to keep it from cracking. most usa quality vises are a form of cast steel, not cast iron. less carbon in cast steel and that is the brittle part that will cause cracking when the weld cools faster than the base metal.

a map gas torch, or even propane for a min or two will help also. no need to break out the torches and get it cherry red.

 

[bubinga]

depends on the vise. the only one that cracked with no preheat out of a dozen or so I've welded was an older wilton. I ended up with 309 wire and a tig on that one mixed in with some 312.

I'm talking flux core wire, not copper wire with shield. that will crack every time. the flux provides a nice barrier.

If it was true cast iron, you'd need preheat, Nickel Rod and burry it in sand too cool slowly and peen the welded til you're purple to keep it from cracking. most usa quality vises are a form of cast steel, not cast iron. less carbon in cast steel and that is the brittle part that will cause cracking when the weld cools faster than the base metal.

a map gas torch, or even propane for a min or two will help also. no need to break out the torches and get it cherry red.

Oh OK, thank You.
Yes, I see you had stated Flux core.
Thanks again.
I don't have one to weld, just want to learn.