School Me On NormaCast

Lanse · Mar 22, 2013

Hey guys!!

So, I've got plans to try a couple other Cast Iron repair methods over the weekend, and I picked up some electrodes to practice with...

Among those are "Normacast" electrodes, Hobart brand.

Someone told me a while back that Lincoln Electric sells "ferroweld" or something like that, basically they're nickel-free or low-nickel Cast Iron welding rods that work well on large, dirty castings, and "Normacast" is Hobart's version of that electrode.

They sure are cheaper, they were $15 for a 10 pack of 1/8" rods, where as the nickel rods were $30 for a few 3/32" electrodes...

I'm just wondering if they're any good... If anyone else has ever tried them, etc... Really just any background information that'd be nice to know before I give them a shot...

Anyway, just curious. As always, thanks in advance and have a great weekend, everyone

dr sportster · Mar 22, 2013

I think you mean Nomacast electrodes. Various grades iron repair PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT NON-MACHINABLE BASE PASS FOR SUBSEQUENT NICKEL ALLOY REPAIRS ON CONTAMINATED CAST IRON---- RUN ELECTRODE + . Im not smart nor ever heard of it I just googled them. If it does not have an AWS number I usually stay away from it because you can't just go to the AWS charts and read up. Not to say there are not some good "exotic" rods out there . Even the ni rods have AWS specs. Google it .

jon f mn · Mar 22, 2013

I don't use it much because cast is so much work I figure if it's worth the effort its worth nickel. I did use it on an air cleaner from a case tractor that got broke and also on another tractor that had a hole punched in the rear end housing. That was a large crack with lots of cracks radiating out and required a lot of welding but not much for strenght.

dr sportster · Mar 22, 2013

Forney and Hobart both carry it under there own packaging.I'm thinking then it may have an AWS spec. Is there an AWS number on this package? It also looks like you paid double the going price.You should have 14 rods in that pack not ten. 14 is 1Lb. There is a slight bit of more info on the Forney website.

Butch(OH) · Mar 22, 2013

Nomacast works very well for the first pass or only pass on dirty cast iron such as an old exhaust manifold. It is nothing special for other cast iron work in my experiences. My various cast iron rods are all collecting dust now as I have almost totally switched to a powder torch and the machinable nickle powders for cast iron.

School Me On NormaCast

Lanse

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dr sportster

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jon f mn

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dr sportster

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Butch(OH)

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