Welding my GM 10 bolt axle tubes - the basic test: Iron or steel? Mine is cast STEEL

Описание: First step in welding axles tubes it determining the housing material by doing a small test drill and observing the shavings, a sharp bit will produce a spiral shaving as shown first, and the metal is shiny if cast STEEL. Cast IRON will produce almost perfectly uniform looking pieces that are long and have a grey dull color.

Knowing what material you have is crucial in your approach.

Cast STEEL is alot easier and requires alot less skill. Preheat preferred to 200 to 300 degrees, but you can also just weld it straight mig stick or tig and get good results.

Cast IRON requires pre and post heating to higher temps, peening, blanket wrapping and alot more care and skill and 90 or 99 nickel rods.