[TheForge] Welding cast wood stove baffle

[Michael Boettcher]

I tried welding a cast iron wood stove baffle this weekend, and had a 
complete failure.  I preheated, and used a nickle rod ("premium 99 Nickle 
electrode).  I've used it in the past, and have had great results.  This 
time, the nickle ran away from the base metal, and the base metal was eaten 
away.

I tried colder, more preheat, low amps, high amps.  Nothing seemed to help.

Casting is from  a Vermont Castings stove.

Am I that bad a welder, or is there something about this particular metal?

Thanks,

Michael
Madison, WI