Laser Welding

[Phil P]

Has anyone used an UK laser welding suppliers? My cylinder block has a longitudinal crack in number 2 cylinder. The liners have already been removed.
Many Thanks,
Phil

[Joes66]

Far as I know there is no real way to do a permanent secure long lasting weld on a cast iron block
There is a company in the usa which I can't remember off hand that do special welding rods that have had supposedly good results
They do ship to the UK from their website as I enquired a few years ago
These guys can do it however if it actually works and is cist effective http://www.e-m-p.biz/laser-welding/classic-cars/
Will look it up
Joe

[Gerry]

Hi Phil ,nothing difficult about welding cast iron as long as the material is fairly thick ,probably the best for bet your block would be the stitching technique shown in the Practical Classics E type restoration book?

Regards Gerry 62 Ots Ontario Canada.

[Joes66]

Hi Phil
Muggy weld are the guys that make the best rods if you need them
They produce their own special rods
They have a u tube video as well
https://www.muggyweld.com/product/77-ca ... lding-rod/

[Phil P]

Hi Joe and Gerry,
Thanks for your prompt responses. I've sent a photo to EMP who say that they do similar work, many for those that attend the Goodwood Revival.
The Muggyweld site looks interesting as cast iron rods don't appear to be available in the UK. However, I suspect that it would still require a lot of preheat that would cause distortion resulting in more post weld machining. The benefit of laser welding is that the beam is so intense and coherent that it will minimise distortion.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Yours,
Phil

[Series1 Stu]

Hi Phil

Try contacting Stitchweld in Burton On Trent. This kind of work is right up their street. They do a lot of work on the older stuff and have been featured on Car SOS when they repaired an engine block for Fuzz.

They did my E Type sump when it got cracked. Great job.

Regards

[PeterCrespin]

If the weld needs machining to fit a liner be careful.

First race bike I built needed cast iron barrel weld. It was below the bore area swept by the rings at BDC but the subsequent boring operation went the full length of the cylinder, of course. The guy who bored it was p*ssed off because the welding created some hard spots that spoiled his boring head, or so he told me. That was around 1980-81 mind you, so the technology has moved on, I assume.

[Robbiee]

I recommend Stitchweld in Burton on Trent
Lovely to deal with too

[JerryL770]

Another possibility is Surelock Casting Repairs in Oakham.

Tell: 01572 722051 email surelock@onetel.net

I have no affiliation. A friend has used them satisfactorially.

[Duckham]

Hi Phil ,nothing difficult about welding cast iron as long as the material is fairly thick ,probably the best for bet your block would be the stitching technique shown in the Practical Classics E type restoration book?

If that is the Colin Ford restoration he told me that he heard the block later failed - presumably the stitching although he never had a chance to examine it.
Joe