Mixed Metals welding

[woodlandfarms]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[yomax4]

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]

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]

post picts

 

[dragoneggs]

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]

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]

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