Soldering/Brazing Stainless Steel rods

[godfather]

Hi there,
I want to repair a stand that uses 3mm SS rods and maybe try making a grill. Can anyone help with how I join the rods together?

Thanks

[Ogri the trog]

Personally, I wouldn't be looking to fix them permanently,
I'd either slot them into a short section of 3mm diameter pipe or cut a thread on them and use nuts. It would preserve the element of field repairability and also allow for dismantling for transportation.
Though there are probably as many arguements to braze/solder/weld for strength etc.

Just my 2 pence

Ogri the trog

[scoops_uk]

cut a thread on them

Ooh, there's an interesting idea for something I'm pondering, didn't think of that. :D

Scoops

[godfather]

Thanks for the reply. But for the repar I need to weld a SS ring back onto a SS rod. Can this be done with a soldering iron or do I need something else.

Regards

[Buckshot]

I think you'll stuggle soldering SS
IIRC SS doesn't join well and you need special kit - which is one reason why most stuff is made from mild steel

I have an arc welder but I think this wont do SS

Sorry

Mark

[singteck]

If you have a blow torch you can braze them. You can solder it but they would have no strength to talk about. Best to take it to someone with a TIG welder.

singteck

[gregorach]

You almost certainly won't be able to do it with a soldering iron. Even if solder does adhere to SS (which I doubt, but I'm not sure) no iron will be able to produce enough heat, unless the parts are very small. You can't even solder microbore copper pipe with an iron - you need a blowtorch.

There's some stuff about welding stainless here (http://brewingtechniques.com/library/backissues/issue2.5/donaghue.html) (on a homebrewing site for some wierd reason). Looks like brazing may be an option...

Or, if you don't need it to withstand high heat and veyry rough handling, you might be able to get away with using a epoxy putty...

[singteck]

Here's a good read on it.

http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1178#_Re commended_Procedure_for

singteck

[godfather]

Thanks for your help

[tommy the cat]

Yep tis a bit of a pig to do so I've been told brazing an option dunno if I read you can get stainless wire for a mig welder?
Like the thought of field maintainable my self.
Dave

[Ben Trout]

I've not played with Stainless, but I believe silver soldering will work. Try asking round local engineering works. I've got a small Oxy-propane setup if I can help.

[kb31]

a arc welder would be no good
a mig set would work but the stainless wire will cost a bit and
you maybe only use 6" of it
finding some one with a tig set would be your best bet

[swyn]

You can braze if you are careful and not allow oxidation. (oxy-acetylene) This happens quickly so experimentation is important. You can get a good joint with brass.

I have arc welded small items using s/s rods. They are used for hard facing farm implements so not as scarce as hens teeth. The smallest size is 2.5 mm so you are on the limit with 3mm material. Again practice is useful!

If I need fiddly stuff welding I go to a local engineering shop and ask them to do the job for me on their TIG welder. You will be pleasantly surprised at the quality and the cost. You can then build a long term relationship with them as they are doing this kind of stuff for a living and consequently do it well and efficiently.

I hope this helps.

Swyn.

[Ogri the trog]

Yup, if you have to weld it, then TiG is the way to go.
Take along some of your off-cuts as filler for the job and it should only take seconds to do.

ATB

Ogri the trog