r/metalworking • u/je9183 • 2d ago
HIVEMIND HELP ME! Repair of metal colander
This colander's base has broken after many years of use. It was spot welded on in the factory. Do you think it may be possible to use a flux core or stick welder to repair it by just tapping it? I am aware that the metal is really thin and may burn through if you do it for too long.
The other alternative I was thinking was to drill it and rivet it.
Let me know your suggestions for welding, riveting, or an alternative.
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u/BCMBCG 1d ago
Are you sentimental about this colander?
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u/Disastrous-Tourist61 1d ago
Thank God someone else was thinking the same thing I was. Spend a couple bucks and buy a new one!
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u/Head-Impression-83 1d ago
The first metal working and making something that takes hours that you could buy for pennies if you don’t talk about making something that takes hours that you could buy for pennies
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u/Goingdef 2d ago
Rivets or tig welding maybe spot with a backer but I wouldn’t use either welding process you mentioned.
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u/Cultural-Salad-4583 1d ago
Drill and rivet (stainless obviously). Done in 5 minutes and you don’t have to fixture it. Or spot weld it again if you have access to one.
Welding will burn straight through unless you’ve got some experience with really thin metal. Plus it’s stainless. Stainless rods are expensive, would likely cost more to buy a couple than it would to buy a new colander.
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u/Strostkovy 2d ago
Now you have a bonus colander for straining watermelons.
Rivets are an okay option, but tig welding is optimal.
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u/basswelder 1d ago
Get a new one if you can’t find a spot welder somewhere. It was resistance welded. They cost $12 oops, $16.
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u/rocketwikkit 2d ago
Maybe obvious, but you could take it to someone with a spot welder and spot weld it. It's not that uncommon of a machine.
They probably chromed it or passivated after welding though, so it'd leave dark spots.
I'd choose TIG over stick welder.
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u/BSforgery 2d ago
This was originally spot welded. The tiny indents on the ring show the points of contact. Looks like they did a bad job. Not sure what they would charge but if it should take about 2 minutes and burn no consumables. This uses the metal sheets and no filler. Like squeezing them between electrodes.
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u/Benevolentish 1d ago
Some obvious options: flip the strainer over and drop a bowling ball on it to dent the middle up and make it sit flat again without the base. Or you could build a special sink that has a built in holder just for it. Better yet you could hire a butler to hold it every time you need to use it. All these ideas are nearly as practical as buying a new one.
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u/iHerpTheDerp511 2d ago
Drill holes and rivet it, much easier and way less work, plus it’s a colander so what hurt could a few extra holes do?
Edit: make sure to use stainless rivets! Food safe etc.