Welding a box end wrench back together

[Case IH]

In post 30, some of the silver wrenches in the right are IH tools

???????????

 

[LoFlow]

Weld them, hell yes...I even paint them too. This is my drill press wrench that was done years ago. I used er70s2 rod as suggested earlier and beveled both ends for a complete weld.

 

[mkirkpatrick]

forgive me but I have a real dumb question, and it has been 30+ years since I have ran a bead, but I thought TIG was strictly for aluminum?

 

[klhitman]

forgive me but I have a real dumb question, and it has been 30+ years since I have ran a bead, but I thought TIG was strictly for aluminum?

you can tig anything with the right stuff.

 

[Aberdale]

That's why they use steel in springs! Of course, other metals are alloyed in to get specific qualities, but steel is the perfect material for springs.

Actually, steel is a poor material for springs, unless it is tempered/hardened. Steel is used for springs because it's cheaper that alternatives such as composites which actually make a better spring. Tempering/hardening reduces steel's plastic range to make it inelastic within the load range designed for. If it still had plastic properties, the spring would bend and not rebound. That's also why you cannot weld broken springs, because the heat from welding anneals the metal, and it will break next to the weld after a few cycles.

Getting back on topic, I've welded a couple wrenches, but have had mixed results. They weld okay, (I used 6013 rod on one, MIG welded the other), but one broke again next to the weld at lower load than the original break. The other is still going, but I haven't really loaded it too much. Most quality tools are forgings. The forging process aligns the grain in the steel and reduces porosity in the metal. Welding will once again anneal the steel, making it softer. Heat treating is a possibility, but you will never make it as strong as the original forging.

Dale

 

[Steevo]

Sometimes you just gotta weld a wrench . . .

 

[eyeboltman]

I know? I broke a herbrand rat my dad gave me, 1960 ,i got it in 1980 and used it alot old car jack on the end and broke the inside pawl on finger . after talking Bull I used a piece from a proto and ground down the 1-8 tip work . I have c man wrenches my daughter gave and i used them at work. 23 years old wrenches when some one wants to used a wrench I give them a new one. new ones brakes i replace it, WE all know how are coworkers and brothers in laws are !!!

 

[mrholeshot]

Heres your Before picture.
I'll have to get my Tig welder friend to fix it

Now thats some good steel