Brazing sheet metal in Snap On tool box

[Joseph36]

I am restoring a Snap On toll box KRA-396 , and I need to weld the drawer channels on the Drawers and to the cabinet ( slide type) . I cant use a spot welder in the cabinet, I dont have a mig , but I have a cutting torch. Can I braze these channels with a torch ? Regards Joseph36

 

[Outlawmws]

Assuming there are no plastic parts in the slide (friction type?) you can, however you may warp the sides of the box. Why can't you spot weld them?

 

[Canadian Cowboy]

If you have access to a tig outfit tig weld it there will be a lot less heat.

CC

 

[Joseph36]

The cabinet sides have two walls , inner ( channels spot welded to them ) and the out side of the box. Joseph36

 

[Outlawmws]

If you have access to a tig outfit tig weld it there will be a lot less heat.


CC

Then either this ^^^

The cabinet sides have two walls , inner ( channels spot welded to them ) and the out side of the box. Joseph36

Or the brazing will work, but if there are no holes in the rails where it mates to the side wall, drill like three to feed braise material into. Work with a small tip and take your time.

 

[Joseph36]

Thanks for your help , any particular braizing rod iI should use? Joseph36

 

[rslaback]

Is there any reason you couldn't use a pop rivet?

 

[Canadian Cowboy]

You will want to use flux coated bronze rod the picture is showing 3/32 dia but in your case 1/16 may be better as you wont have to heat the metal as much also you will have to make the base metal is clean and use a small tip a number 0 or even a #00 tip to reduce the overall area you will be heating.
Example,
CC

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/flux-coated-bronze-brazing-rods-3-32-in-x-36-in-3-pcs/933087

 

[Joseph36]

The spring steel clips that keep the drawers form pulling out when you open them rub on the heads of the rivets , just lightly, and I thought that the pop rivet might get loose in time. Joseph36

 

[Your Father]

Is there any reason you couldn't use a pop rivet?

Is not wanting it to look like junk and fall apart in a couple of months a valid reason?

 

[machine_punk]

What about that trick where you punch a hole in the top piece and MIG into/through that...kinda simulates the spot welding, but you don't need access to the back of the panel? Even though you are using MIG, it ends up looking a lot like a spot weld.

M_P

 

[PCO6]

The cabinet sides have two walls , inner ( channels spot welded to them ) and the out side of the box. Joseph36

Depending on the amount of access you have to the inside of the box, you might be able to weld the rails on using a Porta-Spot welder. They are designed for spot welding from one side only.

 

[rsanter]

if you can clean the material really well would silver solder it before trying to braze it

or borrow/rent a mig or tig welder
hell for that job you could buy a cheap HF TIG just to do the job

bob

 

[JASTECH]

+1 on rivoting. Maybe used/rent spot welder.

 

[Joseph36]

Thanks for the the help to all, I did not know there was such a spot welder. Regards , Joseph36

 

[Joseph36]

You all know a lot more about welding then I do , thanks for responding. Just wondering if a propane type torch could be used to braze or silver soder for this 16 gauge stuff ?Regards , Joseph36

 

[Canadian Cowboy]

You all know a lot more about welding then I do , thanks for responding. Just wondering if a propane type torch could be used to braze or silver soder for this 16 gauge stuff ?Regards , Joseph36

You can if you use Map gas instead of propane.

CC

 

[rsanter]

You all know a lot more about welding then I do , thanks for responding. Just wondering if a propane type torch could be used to braze or silver soder for this 16 gauge stuff ?Regards , Joseph36

Silver solder.....yes
Actual brasing....no

IMO.....if you have never brased before, do not try this as your first. Practice on something else or you are likely to warp the he'll out of something.
Silver soldering is slot easier as it happens at much lower temps

Hell if you were closer I would mig the thing for you

Bob

 

[fordcragar]

If you can't weld it, find someone that can. Whatever you do, don't braze it. If you have problems with it later, you might have a hard time trying to fix it. Usually the best way to fix something that has been brazed, is replace all of the metal that has been brazed, then weld it.

 

[geologist]

Don't braze it, you'll destroy your box. Spot welding is the key.

 

[rsanter]

I will throw this out as an option....
I have a spot welder
If you were willing to pay the shipping both ways on the drawers I would be willing to discount my spot welding fee down to a beer the next time I see you

Bob

 

[Outlawmws]

I will throw this out as an option....
I have a spot welder
If you were willing to pay the shipping both ways on the drawers I would be willing to discount my spot welding fee down to a beer the next time I see you

Bob

As I understand it, its not the drawers. its the slide to the box/frame and it's double wall construction, so a std pinch spot welder won't do it...

 

[Joseph36]

Bob , thanks for your kind offer , but some of the welds are needed to attach the channels to the cabinet. I like the idea of the silver solder , but I dont want to warp anything. If I have to I will buy a mig welder or have someone do it for me. Regards , Frank

 

[knotheads]

how about using a pop rivet or two for your problem?

 

[JamesBill]

I would be really scared of warping it.

 

[Outlawmws]

how about using a pop rivet or two for your problem?

Pop rivets won't hold up.

 

[trbomax]

Get some countersunk head pop rivets,then they will be flush on the outside.