Welding Tips and Tricks

Does anyone have experience tig welding 01 to 01 or A2 to A2 tool steel, unhardened?

I would like to make some specialized socket handle style woodworking chisels and would like to weld the socket handle portion to the 1/4" thick flat stock rather than machining the whole tool from a large piece of bar stock.

What is a good filler rod and a good pre-heat temp and cool-down procedure?

Thanks

I've tried welding 0-1 and it didn't work. It breaks easily. I haven't tried welding it and then annealing after welding, but that might work. Welding is going to make it very hard in the HAZ and it will break. I checked on the correct filler wire for welding 0-1 and it was very expensive.

I have welded quite a bit if A2, but it was only build up in wear areas. I use a air hardening rod, but this is not welding 2 pieces together, just build up on a worn part.

I'll be watching this to see what answers you get.

I've done A2. 3/32 A2 wire for the filler and very high temp preheat (450°C +). Right after the welding the piece goes into annealing oven for full annealing cycle.
O1 will be more difficult because it has higher quench distortion than A2.

I would call and talk to a tech at Weld Mold, they've been helpful for me in the past and seem very knowledgeable.

http://www.weldmold.com/