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TIG Welding Copper?

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 6:40 pm
by Greg From K/W
Is that possible? If so how is it done? Anyone know? Please feel free to express your thoughts. Thanks guys. And please Jody if your looking please lend your thoughts.

Re: TIG Welding Copper?

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:07 pm
by jpence38
Tig welding copper is done everyday. I use to do it in a shop that made bus bars and electric furnaces. What type of copper material are you considering. (size, shape)
If you are talking anything over an 1/8 inch thick and with some surface area, prepare to get HOT. You will need argon or argon/helium gas, Minimun 1/8" tungsten and you definitely will need a watercooled torch. Also, you will probably max out your machine output depending on what you have. As for material, you will want a de-oxidized copper. :D

Re: TIG Welding Copper?

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:01 pm
by Greg From K/W
Ok well the torch isn't water cooled at all so I won't be able to do it. I wish it was but they won't want to spend more cash on the equipment.

Re: TIG Welding Copper?

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:13 pm
by capozzoli
I used to weld copper a lot. We did work for a company that made crosses for the steeple on churches. They would take them and have them gold plated.

It was pretty easy, there can be a lot of distortion in some alloys. Ya have to experiment a little. But like said look for de-oxidized copper. There are good copper welding rods too that have deoxidents in them.

Like said, lots of preheat and you can use an air-cooled torch just has to be one that is huge. Even a water cooled torch will get hot. You can make tea with the water. :D

Here is some good reference material. http://www.brazing.com/techguide/proced ... elding.asp