I have a casted netal chair that has a crack on it. I was told by a welding shop that it was "casted pot metal " chair. Should I braise the crack, weld the crack
or what? The chair is at a church, the teen leaned back on the cast metal and the back broke. I thought it was cast iron or cast aluminum. I took it to a welding supply they said it was pot metal. How should I fix it?

Bob Reynolds, March 2010

If a magnet sticks to it, it's some sort of iron. If the magnet doesn't, it's some sort of aluminium alloy. Iron you can stick weld, using special cast iron rods of 3.2 or 4mm diameter, should do your chair ok, or braze it. Some alloys such as diecast do not weld, but if yours is cast ali then there's a chance to TIG weld it.

Chris P.Duck, March 2010

Try using J.B.Weld after cleaning with vinegar

Sara, March 2010