Welding Tips and Tricks

Good morning all, my neighbor broke her stainless steel garden trowel, and I figured I would do her a favor by repairing it. I'm a hobbyist welder, so I'm not completely knowledgeable on all aspect of welding. as per the title, anything I need to know before undertaking this deed? I have a ac welder. Thanks

'morning. What process do you plan on using?

Oscar wrote:'morning. What process do you plan on using?

I'm planning on using my 225 Lincoln ac welder.

SS garden trowel is likely a odd grade of SS. Since your stick welding it get a SS ac rod or just some 6011 and warn her the weld will rust, but probably hold as long as the original tool lasted.

i tig welded a stainless garden trowel some time back.
small trowels are pretty thin metal (which is why they break).
i think you will have a real tough time arc welding it.
with normal steel i've used 6013 rod downhill with fast travel speed.
no idea with stainless rods.

Is the break on the blade or handle stem?
Why not post up a pic so we can have a look.

Coldman wrote:Is the break on the blade or handle stem?
Why not post up a pic so we can have a look.

it broke where the handle attaches to the blade. looks like there were two small rivets securing it. I already grounded the broken rivets down, and plan on running beads down both sides where the stem of the handle meets the blade. will download a pic. later. Thanks

Coldman wrote:Is the break on the blade or handle stem?
Why not post up a pic so we can have a look.

Here's a pic. Sorry about the delay.

So a Lincoln 225 AC, I presume that's a stick welder. That should work with some 308 3/32" rod. Check the packet and pick amps somewhere in mid range. You will need to do about 3/8" at a time letting it cool in between so you don't blow through. If you have some scrap you can use to dial in or practice first that would help.

burnttoast wrote:

Coldman wrote:Is the break on the blade or handle stem?
Why not post up a pic so we can have a look.

it broke where the handle attaches to the blade. looks like there were two small rivets securing it. I already grounded the broken rivets down, and plan on running beads down both sides where the stem of the handle meets the blade. will download a pic. later. Thanks

the metal is generally really thin. i would recommend putting a bit of aluminium on the back. otherwise you will burn through really fast.

Coldman wrote:So a Lincoln 225 AC, I presume that's a stick welder. That should work with some 308 3/32" rod. Check the packet and pick amps somewhere in mid range. You will need to do about 3/8" at a time letting it cool in between so you don't blow through. If you have some scrap you can use to dial in or practice first that would help.

308 is a good choice when it’s unknown SS. There are others that might be better but 308 is a standard and easy to get.

Thanks for the suggestions. waiting for the rods to arrive.