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Conference 7.286::home_work

Title:Home_work
Notice:Check Directory (6.3) before writing a new note
Moderator:CSLALL::NASEAM::READIO
Created:Tue Nov 05 1991
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2100
Total number of notes:78741

491.0. "Seal Breach on Presto Pressure Cooker " by CXDOCS::COCKERHAM () Tue Aug 11 1992 13:39

I have a Presto all-aluminum pressure cooker.  One of my kids, while
washing it, put a real good nick in the rim of the cooker (how, I do not
know, but I am not happy) where the rubber gasket on the top contacts the
base for a pressure-tight seal.  It now leaks consistently when under
pressure, thus reducing internal pressure and decreasing the efficiency of
the cooker.  The nick is small, but just enough so that the seal is broken
at that spot.  I did take it to a Presto appliance repair shop, but they
said that they couldn't do anything for me.

I am looking for a solution to repair the cooker, being that a new one
would run upwards of $35.00.  The nick needs to be repaired somehow by
filling it.  I would prefer not to use any sort of chemical fillers, such
as Liquid Solder or epoxies being that this is used for cooking food and
Lord only knows how many toxins we already ingest just from the food
itself.

Can the cooker even be repaired?

Your input is appreciated.

Tim

T.RTitleUserPersonal
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491.1Aluminum welding might do itSENIOR::HAMBURGERLife is a Do_It_Yourself project!Tue Aug 11 1992 14:0813
                  -< Seal Breach on Presto Pressure Cooker  >-

>I have a Presto all-aluminum pressure cooker.  One of my kids, while>

>Can the cooker even be repaired?

    I believe it is possible to weld aluminum, although it is a specialty 
job and not every welder can do the work. You might want to have a "lump" 
of aluminum welded into the nick and then ground down to match the 
surrounding surface. A little polishing with the proper compounds and 
buffing wheels should make it hard if not impossible to spot. 

    Vic H
491.2RAMBLR::MORONEYIs the electric chair UL approved?Tue Aug 11 1992 15:205
If you can find someone with the proper tools it may be possible to grind down
the whole edge so it is smooth again.  The whole edge must be ground the same
amount not just the bad spot else it will be made worse.

-Mike
491.3VERGA::WELLCOMESteve Wellcome PKO3-1/D30Tue Aug 11 1992 17:0010
    If you grind down the whole surface, there may no longer be enough
    gasket compression to seal, either.  I think your best bet is the
    idea of getting a welder who knows hows to handle aluminum to fill
    the hole, then grind it smooth.  You could do final smoothing with
    some fine sandpaper on a flat block.
    
    I assume you've already filed/sanded off any raised bump around the
    nick; if not, that may be what is causing the leak, not the nick
    itself...or does the nick go completely across the sealing area?
    
491.4NOTIME::SACKSGerald Sacks ZKO2-3/N30 DTN:381-2085Tue Aug 11 1992 17:172
Can you really get a welder to do this for significantly less than a new
one would cost?
491.5Buzzz, Buzz...grind,grind....sand,sand...Done!WFOV11::KOEHLERMissing Car #3,Call 1-800-LAP DOWNWed Aug 12 1992 10:345
    re all
    Yes, a good welder can repair it for a reasonable fee. Where are you
    located?
    
    Jim
491.6CXDOCS::COCKERHAMWed Aug 12 1992 14:4410
>    Yes, a good welder can repair it for a reasonable fee. Where are you
>    located?

Colorado Springs.

Thanks to all for the responses.  Now the trick is finding a welder
who does aluminum.

Tim

491.7HeliarcXK120::SHURSKYWhat&#039;s the &quot;reorg du jour&quot;.Wed Aug 12 1992 16:313
Look in the yellow pages for welders who do Heliarc welding.

Stan
491.8Please let us knowKAYAK::GROSSOPrevent &amp; Prepare or Repent &amp; RepairMon Aug 17 1992 12:094
I really want to hear how this one turns out. I tried to get two pieces of
1 inch aluminum tubing welded and anybody I could get to talk to me wanted 
$20 just to fire up their torch.  At that price, get a new cooker and you've
already got a spare lid and gasket. ;-(
491.9CXDOCS::COCKERHAMMon Aug 17 1992 14:3312
RE:<<< Note 4711.8 by KAYAK::GROSSO "Prevent & Prepare or Repent & Repair" >>>

>I really want to hear how this one turns out. 

You betcha!!  I was planning to respond anyway.  I did find a welder here
in Colorado Springs who does do aluminum work.  Over the phone, after
explaining the problem, he quoted me a price of $10 to $15 dollars and said
he can probably do it while I wait.  I'll keep you posted.

Tim


491.10CXDOCS::COCKERHAMWed Aug 19 1992 15:5717
Took my pressure cooker to a place here in the Springs called ANOCONA. Kind
of a ratty looking place, but then again, sometimes it is the ratty looking
places that have very competent people, like where I've had my wife's
Escort worked on.  Clean and pristine don't mean a thing if the people
inside don't know their gig.

Picked it up last night and the pot looked real good, smooth and even like
it was never even damaged.  Cost me $8.00.  The welder's biggest concern
when he was looking at the pot was the size of the lip and whether or not
it would collapse or retain its shape without warping while it was being
repaired.  Obviously, there was no problem.

I am happy (except about shelling out $8.00 because somebody wasn't careful).
Life in the big city.

Tim

491.11MANTHN::EDDNimis capsicumWed Aug 19 1992 16:183
    Doncha love it when someone charges you a fair price for good work?
    
    Edd
491.12WFOV11::KOEHLERmissing #4,call 1-800-BLO-WMUPMon Aug 24 1992 13:103
    Amen.....
    
    The Mad Weldor...Jim