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[heat550]

Ok first off any tips on welding 409 ? and ya its 19 years old and just very little weeping above  fire brick inside ( tip of the ice burg )and no its not condensation   Cracking Boiler age code . I fired it every winter around the clock well maintained . 

Heat550

Its burned a lot of oak. If you look inside no warping like new never over heated . Like to hear from others at this age .

[mlappin]

Stick or Mig? They have special rod or wire for 409. I’ve also read that 409 should be preheated before welding then annealed afterwards, I’ve yet to confirm if this is standard procedure for boiler manufacturers that use 409. I found that little tidbit about heating/annealing after I used some 409 in my waste oil boiler build, no leaks though….yet. I also used a high dollar mig wire meant for joining 409 to other materials, maybe that $23 a pound wire doesn’t need the heating/annealing.

If you don’t have a DC stick welder welding out of position on any kind of stainless may be futile at best, not exactly easy with MIG either but it can be done.

[Roscoe]

I don't know crap about welding but wanted to congratulate you on getting 19 years out of your stove. Sounds like you will be able to fix it. If not consider yourself lucky as your stove has paid for itself many times over. Good luck on the weld! 

[slimjim]

Good post Roscoe

[heat550]

I don't know crap about welding but wanted to congratulate you on getting 19 years out of your stove. Sounds like you will be able to fix it. If not consider yourself lucky as your stove has paid for itself many times over. Good luck on the weld!

Would of been happyer after 30 years . 😀  Its just one of them deals. Well see if I can fix it . 😀 inside the tank 2 years ago looked like new yet. So the crusting would of came from inside fire box.
Ash acids and lot of heat. After 220 cord I should get reward from heatmor. 😀 has anyone else cracked the 200 cord oak threshold.



Heat550

[LittleJohn]

... has anyone else cracked the 200 cord oak threshold.

The old mans stove is only about 4 years old and his usade is has been as follows:
2012 - 10 cords (only heating detached 4000sf garge)
2013 - 12 cords (only heating detached 4000sf garge)
2014 - 23 cords (Heating house and garage, and burning a ton of junky poplar and birch, and super cold here in MN last year)
2015 - 16 cords (Addded a side arm heater, so fire will never go out now)

I am thinking he will get to the 200 cord mark soon enough

[juddspaintballs]

It would be worthwhile to hire a professional welder to come out and TIG it properly.  You'll have to drain it out and try to clean the area of the cracks as well as you can without grinding on them so he can get good clean welds.  It may cost a some money to get it done, but it will be done right and you probably won't have to shut down in the middle of the winter because your welds failed. 

[RSI]

It would be worthwhile to hire a professional welder to come out and TIG it properly.  You'll have to drain it out and try to clean the area of the cracks as well as you can without grinding on them so he can get good clean welds.  It may cost a some money to get it done, but it will be done right and you probably won't have to shut down in the middle of the winter because your welds failed.

x2.
Get someone that knows what they are doing with stainless and uses a TIG welder.

[slimjim]

Have you given any thought to stepping up to a new boiler? that one has served you very well, perhaps it's time to consider an update, technology has improved dramatically with the new units and it might be worth the investment!

[shepherd boy]

I have welded 409 boilers with 309 wire or if the weld is not in the water jacket mild steel wire works. Electrolysis will eat out mild steel weld in the water jacket. 409 stainless is very repairable.

[WB Guy]

you should use 309 to repair your furnace and you have to remove all the water or sediment if it is on the bottom. if you have someone that can help you, then you can use a shop vac to create a small amount of vaccum in the tank so the water will not effect the welding.

[heat550]

Have you given any thought to stepping up to a new boiler? that one has served you very well, perhaps it's time to consider an update, technology has improved dramatically with the new units and it might be worth the investment!

Yes I'm pondering that also ..

heat550

[heat550]

I have welded 409 boilers with 309 wire or if the weld is not in the water jacket mild steel wire works. Electrolysis will eat out mild steel weld in the water jacket. 409 stainless is very repairable.

Did you have to weld the tank? . Where the leak is right above fire brick right hand side of firebox inside . So its the bottom of the tank .
I know guys that weld mild steel for years just not 409 stainless . Could you cut out the bottom with port a band or plasma cuter. all the way around bottom of tank cut pieces  that fit back in and weld them up stove might be 1/4 shorter . and yes I would flip stove if needed with hoist . But if i welded it up like that could I get another 20 years

Heat550

[shepherd boy]

I have never done a Heatmor but Global Hydronic  were bad for cracking welds. Get it clean and I use a wire welder. Yes you need a plasma cutter to get inside tank or install a new piece. Sounds like you should be able to get it from inside the firebox.

[heat550]

you should use 309 to repair your furnace and you have to remove all the water or sediment if it is on the bottom. if you have someone that can help you, then you can use a shop vac to create a small amount of vaccum in the tank so the water will not effect the welding.

Are you thinking 309 309L with 98% argon /2% oxygen mix . My suit case style Lincoln welder 175 plus 220 says it can weld 308 .035wire I'm sure 309 would work also I think .  Its saying it can weld up to 10 gauge .134 . Think Im on the right page .

heat550