Question about a core box repair method from my old shop in Gary

Three years ago at the Indiana plant, we fixed a cracked core box by welding it with nickel rod, a trick our shift lead swore by. Last month, I saw a new guy try the same fix on a similar box and it failed after two pours, ruining a whole set of cores. Is nickel rod actually a bad long-term solution, or did he just do the prep wrong?

2 comments

2 Comments

richardmurray9d ago

Honestly, @murray.troy is right, but welding at 400 degrees sounds wild.

murray.troy9d ago

That Indiana plant trick works if you get the preheat right. We always heated the box to 400 degrees minimum before welding. The new guy probably just welded it cold, which guarantees a crack. Nickel rod is fine, but the prep is everything.