Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

[mhorowit]

I have been given a patched landing gear. The weld looked like bubblegum had been stuck to it and there were little pits where any metal that had flowed, didn’t flow around that impurity. I asked my A&P if the embedded impurities hadn’t been an issue, could I simply remelt the joint and cause it to flow into the base metal? He replied because there was so much ‘joint’ there, heating it up to molten could cause more harm. He recommended I grind as much of the old weld off as possible.

I have an angle grinder and a grinder wheel for it. I can get to the weld, but even if I jig the work, it’s going to be awkward to grind with this tool.

Anyone have any suggestions how this might be made to go smoother? - MikeH

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

Files and Dremel tool for the hard to reach spots?

[mhorowit]

Re: Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

Files and Dremel tool for the hard to reach spots?

I have a dremel too, but the tips/bits didn't impress me as being capable of this heavy duty job. I"ve got a dead gear in the garage and it may have a weld I can grind on.

How you been? - Mike

[Guest]

Re: Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

Hi Mike, try one of those high speed cut off wheel (air powered). Sears has them (about $60) with the standard thickness wheel in it and use it as a grinder. I have gotten very good results with it when removing old weld. Often a maginifier helps too.

Dave

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

Wouldn't any hi-speed die grinder work? I have air and electric. You can buy small wheels or use long narrow stones. I have even used a carbide cutter with very good results. Just watch the small slivers that a a fluted cutter throws off, they bite when they get inside your shirt or gloves. Don't ask me how I know
Larry

[Len Petterson]

Re: Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

Carbide tips in a handdrill you can by them in a Industrial supply store.
rotary files is another name for them, comes in ball cones ,straigth or other shapes.
Len

[mhorowit]

Re: Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

Carbide tips in a handdrill you can by them in a Industrial supply store.
rotary files is another name for them, comes in ball cones ,straigth or other shapes.
Len

Thanks for the suggestion; there is a welding shop around the corner - I'll see if they have anything like that; I know they have a lot of stuff that works with an angle grinder - MikeH

[astjp2]

Re: Welding: Recovering from a poor joint.

If it is in question, you might just send it out, it will cost you more but you will get an approved repair and the paperwork to support it. Aero repair, airframes inc., and several others have authorization to perform gear repairs. and just reheating and melting the weld puddle is definately not approve, if you must do it yourself, look in 43.13-1B 4-91 and 4-102 and 4-103. Its not perfect guidance but its a start. I would also recommend oxy actylene welding over tig because you dont have to pre and post heat treat to normalize the weld. Just my 2 cents. Tim