Wagner Worries Cured

[rust]

I stepped outside of the (Griswold) box and got a square Wagner chichen fryer size 9 5/8 and it is a really nice looking piece however, on close examination I see what looks like a casting blooper at the base of the handle and then my eye followed a crack at the base of it. The other side looks similar but much cleaner. Now the seller mentioned nothing about a repair but this is what I suspect. These handles weren't added on afterwards were they? The only reason I ask is that there is an interesting fold design that crosses under the handle and extends to each corner (see blue book 3rd edition page 236) and I wonder how they did this if it was cast as one piece. The lid handle is very stable and if this is a weld, it is a faily good one.

Any tips? Have I been had? Bound to happen. No real complaints here. If this is a lemon, no problem I adore lemonade.

[moosejaw]

Can you post a pic?  I wouldn't be very happy with a crack in my piece.  I'd be sending it back.

BTW, Holly, I posted that Barley Soup recipe, in the "Too Many Chefs in the Kitchen" topic.

[C. B. Williams]

Sounds like you got a cracked chicken fryer. Have you thought about frying in a square pot that sits on a round eye? Would the temp. be even? C B

[John Knapp]

Holly,  I would send it back...a crack is a crack is a crack and it aint gonna increase in value.  I hope you paid by credit card, at least you have recourse.
John

[rust]

Just as I thought. Thanks.

[C. B. Williams]

Holly: A tip. Most old cast iron pieces will have a ring to them if tapped. Try it, just tap with your knuckle. If it is cracked, it will usually not ring.

[Gus_Martin]

OK guys, Holly got this all wrong. The problem is not a crack. Looks like
the handle on chicken fryer square top might have been welded on
either at the factory or elsewhere. It is very good job with very little
evidence of the weld except for where the two pieces join. Very little skag on this repair. Wonder if Wagner welds these handles at the factory on this unique covers. Still very solid. Opinion?

[C. B. Williams]

I got to hand off.

[C. Perry Rapier]

I'm just guessin but without a closeup picture to indicate otherwise, I'd bet a dollar it was cast that way.

[Harry Riva]

Gus, If you are in fact looking at a weld on the lid handle then it was done post factory. The handles are cast on at the factory. It's a little hard to imagine how a handle is cast on but there are pictures on this forum from the Wagner tour that shows the ingenuous method used to cast the handle. The square lids are not inexpensive and if at all possible I would get my money back for a repaired piece. There are enough good ones out there that you don't need to hang on to a repair unless it is strictly a user and you got it for next to nothing.
Harry

[Steve_Stephens]

Where are the Wagner foundry tour photos that would show Carol what the do cover pattern looks like and shows the hinged handle part of the pattern?  I looked at the 2003 Convention photos but they are not there.
Steve

[Roger Barfield]

Where are the Wagner foundry tour photos

go to the links, links, links section and it is there.

[Harry Riva]

They are in the links section under the Wagner tour link.
Harry

[Steve_Stephens]

Gus,
Go to the top board on the WAGS part (Foundries info) and click on Links-Links-Links then go to the Wagner foundry slide show.  There are three photos showing a dutch oven cover pattern and showing how the handle is hinged to open when the mold is withdrawn from the pattern.  These photos are quite a ways into the slide show.

Steve

[Steve_Stephens]

My advice to ANYONE getting an ebay item that is not what it should be is to get the seller's phone number and CALL them.  It's much better to talk in person and figure out what to do.  If you are nice and the seller (and you) are reasonable, things usually work out for the best.   I did that just yesterday for a cracked skillet.  I didn't particularly want to return the pan for a refund but thought a price reduction/refund would be best.  The seller gladly refunded me half the price of the $20 pan (actually $11).  Probably should have gotten back a little more but he was nice on the phone and now I don't have to spend one minute packing and shipping it back.  I do send back when the seller will pay the return post and I don't especially want the pan.  For what I collect (early skillets) a significant number may be cracked and I might never find another one like it.  The one last night was nothing special though but I think I like it anyway.

To my knowledge, handles are or were never welded on to iron cookware.  They are either cast as part of the cover or pan or riveted on or screwed on with screws or bolts.  Welding cast iron is not something that is easily done successfully.

Steve

[rust]

Thanks everyone. Will try to post a picture to put this one to bed.

[rust]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6170171613

Here is one on Ebay. It is just like the one we got that deflated my cast iron bubble for a while. Is this a repair too? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks in advance to ya'll.

[C. Perry Rapier]

I have a set just like this that I got two weeks ago. There is a very faint mark at the top of the lid running from one of the handles, it is a casting flaw, nothing serious at all and solid as a rock. Is this what we are talking about?

[Bob Logan]

I mainly have Griswold but I have one of these Wagner's and it is great. Very nice casting and it cooks very well.
Bob

[rust]

Thanks a million. It is so nice to find out we were not taken for a ride on this one. I was convinced it was a repair and now I "have to eat my (Gus's) hat".  It is a good looking pan. Much appreciation.

Interesting note. When we finished the bubble bath (aka electro bath) the base was had a strange 3/4 bright copper color to it, almost swirly in spots. I wonder if it will season ok.