Case crack! What to do??

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Mr. BigWood
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I picked up a Husky 394 with a cracked case. Its not in the crank case but looks to be an important part of the saw structure. I thought about trying my luck brazing it? Otherwise try JB weld? Or leave it as is? Or the last option, finding a new case or halve? What do you guys think? Has anyone brazed magnesium? Or had good luck with JB weld on cracks like this?
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if you look on youtube.com there is a guy that TIG welds the case to fix a crack similar to that. so TIG it or new case
 
Wow thats a big crack... My vote is for a new case half..

Yeah this poor guy wasnt shown any love! Not sure how they managed to break the case without messing up the plastic??

if you look on youtube.com there is a guy that TIG welds the case to fix a crack similar to that. so TIG it or new case

Yeah I did see that. I think it was sawking. I do know some welders and may need to offer up some beer to see if they can help a brother out:msp_thumbup:
 
I'd replace the case half before I tried the tig but both would work of course. Really your only option there.
 
The issue with TIG is warping. If it was a smaller crack I would weld, but with the long crack, you will have to make sure the mating surfaces are true before you put the saw back together.

And no you can't braze mag. it has to be welded. I don't think JB weld would hold up long.
 
That is a big ugly crack to tig weld. Getting that welded without too much distortion will be a PITA. It would take a skilled welder at least an hour to prep and weld that at $60/hour. Unless you have a friend that can weld it you are better off finding a used case side or full case.

Good news is that nothing bolts to that area besides the one AV mount and the starter cover. It's not going anywhere, you could just run it that way. Just don't let your friends see it. :msp_tongue:
 
Looks like a new case half is in order. Even if I were to try to Tig weld it, I would disassemble the saw first.

Just to add a little information to this thread. A previous poster stated that magnesium cannot be "brazed". It certainly cannot be brazed with traditional "brazing rod" made of brass. However magnesium can be oxyacetelyne welded. You need to have the proper rod and paste flux, and the skill to do it though.

Bob
 
Yea I didn't want to get into that.. :msp_blink: It can either quickly end up a puddle or on fire if joe amateur welder attempted it. (which I am to an extent, But I have done enough to know I don't know it all .. LOL Thats what my bro-in law is for(professional welder since the 60's) . I would just drop this mess in his lap and he would grumble for awhile and then bring me back the welded part I would have to true up on my mill. ):msp_smile:

Looks like a new case half is in order. Even if I were to try to Tig weld it, I would disassemble the saw first.

Just to add a little information to this thread. A previous poster stated that magnesium cannot be "brazed". It certainly cannot be brazed with traditional "brazing rod" made of brass. However magnesium can be oxyacetelyne welded. You need to have the proper rod and paste flux, and the skill to do it though.

Bob
 
The issue with TIG is warping. If it was a smaller crack I would weld, but with the long crack, you will have to make sure the mating surfaces are true before you put the saw back together.

And no you can't braze mag. it has to be welded. I don't think JB weld would hold up long.
I think your right about the warping issue. After going back out there and looking at it it would be a pain to even hold flush to weld.
That is a big ugly crack to tig weld. Getting that welded without too much distortion will be a PITA. It would take a skilled welder at least an hour to prep and weld that at $60/hour. Unless you have a friend that can weld it you are better off finding a used case side or full case.

Good news is that nothing bolts to that area besides the one AV mount and the starter cover. It's not going anywhere, you could just run it that way. Just don't let your friends see it. :msp_tongue:
I like your idea of just using as is. Im thinking of doing that until I can find a different case. It wont be used alot so I I think I should be fine for awhile.
Looks like a new case half is in order. Even if I were to try to Tig weld it, I would disassemble the saw first.

Just to add a little information to this thread. A previous poster stated that magnesium cannot be "brazed". It certainly cannot be brazed with traditional "brazing rod" made of brass. However magnesium can be oxyacetelyne welded. You need to have the proper rod and paste flux, and the skill to do it though.

Bob

Bob your correct about the brazing. I did some research online to see what was required. So I could at least have 2 of the 3 requirements to do the braze.:msp_laugh: Now if only I could buy the skill. I am fairly good at brazing but have never done it on a soft metal.

Thanks for the information guys!!! You knocked some sense into me to do it the right way and get a new case.
 
It may only be one AV mount, but there aren't many on the saw. That's a very important mount. No way would I leave that saw that way, especially on a saw that large. A case won't cost you that much.
 
It may only be one AV mount, but there aren't many on the saw. That's a very important mount. No way would I leave that saw that way, especially on a saw that large. A case won't cost you that much.

:cry: I think your right Brad! Thanks for another smack in the back of the head:laugh:
 

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