Crankcase repairs

Recently found hairline cracks around the lower Commando 850 crankcase mounting hole (between filter and drain plug).

At £1200+ for a crankcase, I hunted around and found a guy who specialises in all types of metal welding - alloys, magnesium, cast iron etc., especially aircraft and train engines! Had a chat and I dropped the offending part to him. He dye tested to see where the cracks were, and then welded them up. 24 hour dye teated again, and nothing showed at all on the outside of the case! Result, and he charged me very little as well...
He is based in Essex, UK, and if you ever have need of this type of repair, pm me and I'll pass on his details.

Actually it would be nice to have a sticky on here with recommended tradefolks listed.

Good to know Ian. Last time I had anything like that donè we went to Exactweld. Quality work. Another contact would be good.

Pete Lovell does this repair quite a lot.

Or if you wanna be posh, there’s these boys who do laser welding (no distortion AT ALL they claim and able to get where no other welder can) http://www.e-m-p.biz/

There is a welding shop in Laredo that used to do all of my alloy welding. Typically, I would bring him bits of fins from my junk pile, from which he would fashion replacement bits. Always perfect fillets. He also did stainless steel. GREAT welders in that shop.

Fast Eddie said:

Pete Lovell does this repair quite a lot.

Or if you wanna be posh, there’s these boys who do laser welding (no distortion AT ALL they claim and able to get where no other welder can) http://www.e-m-p.biz/

Click to expand...

They can even lay down hard weld by laser down a cylinder bore at a distance of 9'' to allow new valve seats to be cut.
When the laser is switched off you can immediately touch the weld.
Not that cheap, but for rare parts recovery or avoiding remachining, then it is worth considering.
There are loads of laser welders in the US, some may do public work. Here in the UK only EMP did out of the 4 I contacted.