Need welders input

[leadpot]

I'm thankful to all here for the tips and advice, I'm going to go ahead and try welding a 2" collar just to see what this little lincoln welder can do. If I see it don't weld at all, will consider another wheel . Was planning on putting a 3/4" plywood to stick out a foot and a half for stability when cranking down on the loader handle. No one here has given any bad tips. When it rains here all I have is time anyways..trial and error takes time. LOL... You guys on here are great and I really appreciate all the input. If it works I'll post a pic . Can always use new ideas.

[MadMo]

Mark is dead right- that is cast.
He had a good idea with the nut but call you local truck shops, ask if the have an old diesel flywheel off a Mack or Cummings.
Those are steel and about 125 - 150 lbs.
I have a bench grinder mounted to one on a pipe pedestal.
Most truck shops will have a few in the scape pile.
Once they get so deep and the lip has been ground down so far, they are no longer usable
Good luck!.

[leadpot]

Well.....had to go out and see for myself....burrrr..cold and wet outside. 1st off.. I'm not a welder......i chicken peck but it holds good enough for me on smaller stuff . I was always under the impression that if it can be filed on ..it will weld. The magnet tip is also good. Thanks Dawico. Mark is right in that I will need a stick welder. My mini is just not HOT enough to weld that collar. I can run a bead on it but it won't hold a
5/16" chain. ,,it just falls off LOL...Well fellas.. gonna have to find me a stick welder and have someone weld that collar for me. Had to experience it to know better. Oh well...Ain't no thing but a chicken wing.

[usmcpmi]

dawico, just 30+ years working on construction equipment and trucks. It is a hub off of a trailer. While cast iron (steel) is fine for housings, engine blocks, hubs and the like, it is really not ment to be welded on. It can be machined, drilled, tapped etc. but the heat from welding causes it to expand at an uneven rate, and cool the same way. The material is porus and is prone to forgin material being included in the weld.
leadpot, I have a wheel/rim that you can have, we just need to find someone going your way. I can bring it to the Austin shoot this weekend if there will be someone there that lives closer to you..... MG

[DCortez]

Have you tried Mighty Putty?

[leadpot]

dawico, just 30+ years working on construction equipment and trucks. It is a hub off of a trailer. While cast iron (steel) is fine for housings, engine blocks, hubs and the like, it is really not ment to be welded on. It can be machined, drilled, tapped etc. but the heat from welding causes it to expand at an uneven rate, and cool the same way. The material is porus and is prone to forgin material being included in the weld.
leadpot, I have a wheel/rim that you can have, we just need to find someone going your way. I can bring it to the Austin shoot this weekend if there will be someone there that lives closer to you..... MG

Mark...thanks . Great offer on the wheel rim. I think i can find it at my in-laws place. I don't know if you have heard of Bryan's Barn located in Robert Lee. His father who passed away last year had a ton of old relics and such. Thats where I saw the claw foot looking cast center wheel. I saw some wheels there and will try one of those. He had stuff you don't see anymore and all collectible. Been helping him clean out things on the weekends. I was dis -appointed last nite and understand now more about cast iron. No Go. I'll just have to back up and punt for now. Thanks for the offer friend.

DC...never heard of mighty putty. LOL....new to me. Gonna find a stick welder instead and go from there. Thanks. LOL

[TxEMTP69]

Have you tried Mighty Putty?

bad bad man.

[DCortez]

DC...never heard of mighty putty. LOL....new to me.

It's some Billy Mays junk that does not work ...

[Bear]

I am not an expert, but I was a certified welding instructor in another life a long time ago and have welded over 55 years. Most steels that will hold a magnet can be welded, but they are not mild steel. You would be better off using a stick with 7018 or 8018 Low H rods and hot for penetration. With your wire welder you can get some penetration if you turn it all the way up and take your time. If you are going to use a single center post, just add 3 triangular gussets around the base. If you are using multiple legs, add a gusset to each one. a lot of modern truck wheels are lightweight Al/Mg alloys. Wish you were closer--I have some cast tractor wheel centers that you can bolt legs to and would share. Some of them weigh 200+ pounds and I have portable vices mounted so I can move them, but they don't tilt. Got to take care of you Runnels County guys--I lived at Blackwell for years and farmed in Runnels, Nolan and Coke Counties. Hauled a lot of steel out of Muellers at Ballinger.
Bear

[dawico]

I am not an expert, but I was a certified welding instructor in another life a long time ago and have welded over 55 years.

Holy cow. What does it take to be considered an expert then? I am going to just go ahead and consider you an expert, if thats ok with you. I believe your credentials are in order.

My grandfather was a lifelong welder also, and I swear he could weld wood to water and knew which rod to use off the top of his head. He was also very humble about it as well. I also considered him an expert.