Mixed Metals welding

woodlandfarms · Jun 24, 2015

OK, so hang tough here guys, I have an art project that is on the honeydo list. I will need to weld Stainless to Copper (or braze, or solder). It is not structural, but will be exposed to the elements. Oh, and then the stainless probably needs to be welded to regular soft iron.

Thoughts?

MinnesotaDaveChalmers · Jun 24, 2015

I've used regular solid copper electrical house wire as a filler rod (tig).

I used it for color effect (multiple passes) and for electrical contact points on my "third hand" tool so there wouldn't be black arc marks on aluminum.

It works very well and behaves pretty predictably.

For artistic welding stainless to steel to copper, I'd sure give it a go

fixit · Jun 24, 2015

If you have a tig the the last post is prob the best way
If not the i would use silver solder for the stainless to copper and mig the stainless to mild standard mild steel consumables work just fine

Mysfyt · Jun 24, 2015

Never done copper to stainless. I'm watching this one.

yomax4 · Jun 24, 2015

You can use a silver bearing low temp solder ( 430 degrees melting ) and a propane torch if you wand a strong joint without the high temps of silver solder. Look at Harris Stay-Brite. Also may try Silicon Bronze with Argon for mig or tig. Copper filler sounds interesting as well. Never tried it.

dragoneggs · Jun 24, 2015

My expertise is definitely not welding... but I think the silver ought to work fine for stainless to copper. Silver is often used as a wear coating on stainless steel (i.e. bolt threads). I recently MIG welded stainless drill rod to mild steel with no problem using mild steel consumables and 75/25 gas... better outcome that I expected. Since it sounds that you aren't needing a highly stressed finished product, this is what I would do.

cqaigy2 · Jun 26, 2015

post picts

dragoneggs · Jun 26, 2015

cqaigy2 said:
post picts

I made a couple of quick release pins. Bent up some 3/16in mild steel rod and welded to 9/16in stainless drill rod to make quick release pins. Sorry can't see the welds... Already coated the handles with a couple coats of plastic dip.

LD1 · Jun 26, 2015

Stainless to mild steel is no issues at all. Bout anything you would use for welding rod or wire will work for what you want.

Copper to steel or SS is the issue. I think the only options have already been mentioned. Solder or tig

Tractor Seabee · Jun 26, 2015

woodlandfarms said:
OK, so hang tough here guys, I have an art project that is on the honeydo list. I will need to weld Stainless to Copper (or braze, or solder). It is not structural, but will be exposed to the elements. Oh, and then the stainless probably needs to be welded to regular soft iron.

Thoughts?

You do not mention what type welding/soldering equipment you have available. That would help with the ideas. There are manual arc rods if TIG and MIG are not your thing like me. I use silver solder a lot, also bronze welding rod with OA. Propane for SS has too large a flame cone for my liking. For SS/Bronze torch work on art stuff (which I don't do) I would think a very small tip is the ticket.

Ron

woodlandfarms · Jun 26, 2015

I have an oxy acet setup, a lincoln 180C mig and an Everlast stick.

I have an aluminum spool gun for my lincoln but have yet to fire it up, and am contemplating a simple tig unit for the everlast stick.

I also have the standard soldering iron pencil and gun version.

M5farms · Jun 26, 2015

JB WELD

PILOON · Jun 26, 2015

Since you have oxy/acet setup I'd braze.
Read somewhere that the PSI was up close to 40,000psi with brazing so no worries.

PILOON · Jun 26, 2015

Since you have oxy/acet setup I'd braze.
Read somewhere that the PSI was up close to 40,000psi with brazing so no worries.

Tractor Seabee · Jun 26, 2015

With OA I would either silver or bronze braze your light art materials. You may need to practice some to develop the tip size and heat spread that works best for the materials you are using. Heavier (3/16) their are good manual arc rods for SS to CS. Your local welding store can help you select the right SS alloy rod. They work very well with the right Amp setting. I would not use 6010 or 6011; chose the right SS rod. there are also some copper allot arc rods by Eutectic, look it up on the web and get your welding supplier to order as they are normally not stocked unless there is a local demand.

Ron

Ron

RickeyS · Jul 8, 2015

How did this turn out? I have never welded copper. I have soldered and brazed plenty but never welded it. When brazing copper to steel I always use silver and tend to keep more heat on the steel. Stainless to steel is no issue as mentioned. I generally use 309L TIG wire for it. If you are doing something real thin and know someone with 309 MIG wire you can use it to TIG with also instead of purchasing it.