Crack in Fisher XL door

I didn't ask about the process, sorry. The XL isn't piped in the new shop yet.

 

Did Wilson give any indication whether or not the crack would hold?

I guess what I'm getting at, is I expected you to mention those rods to him and talk to him about it. I expected him to give you at least some detailed information about using this type of rod as well as what he did use, or at least some information as to how he'd at least proceed with the repair, and if he expected the crack to return at some point. You might say I'm a little worried about that since I'm the guy that made the suggestion of you seeking him out. That puts my reputation on the line.

If it does re-crack, I know another guy that does have these type welding rods and has had fabulous success with permanent fixes on cast iron. I'm going to have a talk with this guy just to get some input from him.

I do know this much...this other man I know did recently tell me that he's not sure if his supplier can still get those square cast welding rods or not. In this case, you'd have to understand that both of these fella's are collectors of antiques...and it could be likely that if they have trouble getting those rods, not to mention their cost, they may determine that their rods would be better served on more rare pieces of history. I'm not making an excuse for them, though this would be the only legitimate excuse I could see in not using this type of rod. We all know Fishers are a dime a dozen. Then again, you did pay for a repair and shipping. What I'm saying is, most anyone local to you could have welded that with an ordinary rod. Sort of defeats the entire purpose of me making the recommendation.

I know I may be getting the cart before the horse here and we should all just wait and see what happens. My hope is, that it holds for you. If it does, then all is good. If not, I want to know.

If your door is going to crack again, it will likely crack in another spot...not in the same place. Be on the lookout for that. If it holds for this season, it'll likely hold forever. I would heat it up slowly, not with a raging kindling fire...heat it slow. Letting a fire just die out will be fine. It's those big temperature swings, especially on start-up, that will stress the repair.

 

Let's be patient and see what happens when you get it up and running.

 

I tell you what...

Since in another thread it seems my integrity has been called into play with regard to my posts and what I write here on FHC...with what one person has referred to as an “antique stove superiority complex”(not exactly what was said, but is close)...here’s what I’m going to do since I’m the guy that suggested you ship your door to Wilson...and since I had already thought offering this...

If you have an issue with your door, then you send me a pm, as well as post here that it has failed. You contact Wilson first, to see if he will back his work or offer another repair. If not I will personally arrange for your door to be fixed by another man, if he’ll accept the job, who told me about the welding rods I mentioned and his process of repair. I’ll put my money where my mouth is.

Let’s be patient to see if the weld holds or if Wilson would offer to help again if need be. If not, then I’ll step in and try to get you taken care of.

 

No need to do anything. It was time for me to get the XL door fixed and so I did. I have no idea when I'll get the XL installed so I hope no one is holding their breath. If the door should have another crack I'll address it then.

 

Hey Hoytman , I am not a very good welder, and know that I am not questioning what you say, but what is the reason why the square rods would be better? Wouldn't they melt and fill basically the same regardless of shape?

 

...and I’ll gladly offer to help since I made the suggestion. I’d already told my wife a few days ago that I was going to offer my help anyway. I have the utmost confidence in those guys for their knowledge. Wilson was who I recommended, but he wasn’t my first choice, not the he was the wrong choice, rather not who first came to my mind. Problem was/is I’m getting old in my young age...ha ha...and I couldn’t recall the guy who originally told me about the special and expensive square cast iron rods and his repair process. I’ve got the name burned into memory now. Just spoke with the guy a few weeks ago. A super talented older gentleman. Perhaps I shouldn’t have assumed Wilson would have known or used those rods, let alone assume he’d share how he repaired it for you. Either way the offer stands.

I don’t like it when people assume I type things from my pucker hole just so I can smell myself, nor do I like it when my integrity and character is called into question...even though that’s not happened in this thread. I try to be genuine and offer as solid help as I can to people...on purpose to be a help to people. When I say something or write it, I like to offer as much proof as I can, as often as I can. I’m not here to argue or show how little I know...because I sure don’t know much compared to some good folks.

Anyway, the offer still stands, sir. I’d hate that weld to fail on you having paid that much in shipping. By the way...just in case I forget...the other man I was thinking of is also a coalpail forum member....jubilee Jerry is his username. Let’s give ol’ Wilson and his repair the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

Good question! I have no idea why they are square, but they are...and they look like typical cast iron...rough. They’ll “melt” the same as any other rod, yes. I’m not a welder, rather, a rod burner. I’ve burned tens of thousands of rods in, on, around, and under bridges. I’m not even going there with regard to what I do or do not know. All I will say is this: Apparently the square cast rods are are made from more similar like material to actual cast iron than the typical rods most welders would attempt to use...combined with some tricky and intense pre-heating of the repair object as well as super slow cooling. Somewhere on the coalpail forum jubileejerry posted a picture where the rods can be vaguely seen. I had never heard of them, let alone seen them. Goes to show, if an old dog keeps his mind and eyes open, even he can learn a thing or two.

EDIT: I went back and looked at some of my previous posts on this thread. I did in fact already mention jubileejerry earlier in this thread. Can’t figure out why I didn’t send you to him first. Guess I assumed Wilson could/would do the same. Again, if we’re both lucky his repair will hold for you. That’s the hope anyhow.