GrumpysPerformance.com

years ago I bought an old farm tractor with a couple of issues one of which is a couple of broken exhaust bolts sheared off flat to the head. I wanted to use an old trick that involves welding a nut to the broken bolt and then turn out. My problem is how do I hold the nut in place while welding vertical. Using a mig welder what settings are recommended?

I use a Pair of pliers To hold the nut while Mig welding it to the broken stud.
I try & use the highest heat setting possible & medium wire feed rate.
Start in the center of the nut & contact broken stud with Mig wire. Start arc & a spiral outward pattern to the Nuts edges.
When done the nut will be glowing cherry red hot.
Wait till it cools & glows no more. About 15-30 seconds.
The heat will be drawn into parts.
With a socket ready remove the broken stud.
Once its turning out, & give it quick blast of PB Blaster OR WD40.
REMOVE.
I have done it hundreds of times Rich. Illinois beater cars & trucks.

Thanks Brian but I left out by mistake that I can't get a second hand to hold the nut.

chromebumpers wrote:Thanks Brian but I left out by mistake that I can't get a second hand to hold the nut.

Find a Nieghbor child or teenager.
Give him $10-20 dollars afterwards....
Make sure he is being raised middle class or poor like we were.
Rich rich kid wont bother to help.

chromebumpers wrote:Thanks Brian but I left out by mistake that I can't get a second hand to hold the nut.

AT TIME's I KNOW YOU GUYS HAD TO IGNORE READING THE LINKS, posted earlier

youll frequently have issues with locations that make it difficult to hold the washer or nut centered over the busted stud while getting ready to weld due to either clearance or lack of having 3 hands available, most of the non-WELDERS MIGHT SUGGEST MAGNETS ,but as most welders soon learn direct heat or an electrical arc kills magnets rapidly, DUCT tape tends to hold long enough to allow the MIG OR TIG welder to form a BEAD but it will of course burn in seconds. many times you can use a spare TIG welding rod bent into a long hook to some higher support point and wrapped around the nut plus duct tape or a long wood dowel wedged in place to get that temporary placement issue handled

Thanks Grumpy, I like the idea of using a washer first. I thought perhaps there's some sort sticky putty or some stuff out of a tube that can be used for a temp tacking. If not, it maybe a good idea for inventing.

Be carefull with burning chemical when welding.
I always wanted to try this trick, i guess am lucky with broken bolt.