My old foreman in Toledo taught me to tap the riser with a hammer to check for solid metal, but I just learned that's a bad idea.

I was helping a new guy at the shop and saw him do it, and the riser broke off clean. Our quality manager, Frank, explained that the thermal shock can cause hidden cracks. Now I use a small propane torch to gently heat the side and watch for liquid metal to weep out instead. Has anyone found a better way to check a riser without risking damage?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_sean25d agoTop Commenter

I hear you, but that "zero breaks" record from @carter.reese sounds like pure luck to me. A clean break from a tap is a huge red flag the metal was already stressed.

carter.reese25d ago

Nah, that hammer tap is classic for a reason. Been doing it for twenty years with zero breaks. Your guy probably just hit it wrong or had a bad casting.