Cannot drill/tap Welded Hole

[Command52]

I may have messed up , The screw hole in my bolster that holds the dog leg was oval out and enlarged by previous owner, So I mig the hole. When i went to center punch weld .Wow couldn't even put mark in steel/weld. I thought maybe I would try drilling it out . That wouldn't happen either I know about welding and Harding the steel but i know there is a way to drill and tap this hole , What type bit , oil should I be using to drill this hard hole HELP Thanks Billy

[tst]

yes the mig makes very hard metal, a diamond tip drill would work but the tap will probably break in the hole after you drill it, drill the hole out larger say for a 1/4 or 5/16" bolt, tap it an put that size bolt in the hole and cut it off flush, now you drill the new bolt and tap it the correct size

[Rick Prentice]

Hi Billy. Tim's fix is the best way, but if you have one that just doesn't cooperate no matter what, you can improvise and make a bracket. Here's one I did years ago and once painted black and installed, it worked just fine.




You'll need a small piece of 1/8" angle iron or 1/8" aluminum angle.You'll need to take some measurements because it's been years ago and I forgot what size angle it was. One side will get trimmed/notched to reach around and catch the radiator bolt, the other ear trimmed to fit the part where the dogleg fits against the bolster.You don't want it hanging lower than the dogleg. You'll have to trim off the small bolts so they only reach into the angle and then gently tighten. Once installed mine never caused any issues and only the "correct police" could spot the repair

Rick

[Barnyard]

Here's one I did years ago and once painted black and installed, it worked just fine.

How well will it work if I were to paint it red?

[Rick Prentice]

I should've known!

[Lt.Mike]

I should've known!

You hung onto that one for the right moment

[Barnyard]

I for one am sure glad to see you posting again. Now I know what to do with all that aluminum I was going to scrap.

[Bill Hudson]

I talked to Rick a day or two ago and he is contemplating another go at the aluminum wedges. Your aluminum scrap may just push him over the edge.

Bill

[Rick Prentice]

You hung onto that one for the right moment

Yep Mike. I've used that picture many times over the years Anyone who knows Bill, knows to expect the unexpected and always read the ending first before you fall for his usually funny gotcha stories.

Rick