Is it possible to weld these two materials together?

[mangocrazy]

I have a requirement to fix one of these (in M10 thread size):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360712107...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

to something almost exactly the same size as a 2p piece; i.e. have the A4 stainless hexagon connector blanked off at one end by a disc larger than the connector. A 2p piece is precisely the right size (25.9mm to be precise) and is (obviously) cheap as chips and readily available. Could a 2p piece be welded to 316 stainless?

If not, I've got to find some stainless discs of approx 25mm diameter and 2-3mm thickness. If the two can be welded together, a 2p piece is the obvious choice.

I need to get 4 connecters blanked off at one end in this fashion, so I'll be out of pocket to the tune of 8p if all works out...

 

[chunkolini]

If you get one of the steel 2p pieces it might work.
Try them with a magnet
I have welded hundreds of 1 and 2p pieces to mild steel.

 

[mangocrazy]

OK - so not all 2p pieces are created equal, then...? Are steel 2p pieces more likely to be older or newer ones?

 

[mangocrazy]

Just found this:

2p coin

First Issued February 15, 1971

Diameter 25.9mm

Weight 7.12g

Thickness Bronze: 1.85mm. Copper-plated steel: 2.03mm

Composition Bronze (97pc copper, 2.5pc zinc, 0.5pc tin) until September 1992. Copper-plated steel since September 1992, except in 1998 when the 2p was made in both alloys

So post-1992 coins are copper-plated steel. How would the copper plating affect weldability to stainless?

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Surely cant be any worse than the copper coating on mild steel mig wire?

Dan

 

[zardoz]

Can you not braze it. Does it have to be welded ?

So 2p pieces are copper coated steel now ? I do recal a story years ago of the old 2p coins being worth more as scrap than they were to put in a bank. Some guy had bought 2 tone of them or something and scrapped them. Unless i either dreamed it or saw it in the Daily Mail. Neither of which has any base in reality.

 

[chunkolini]

Scrapping them highly illegal and big fines are involved.
Welding the steel ones? the copper has no effect on the weld, leaves it slightly coppery coloured but there is no spitting or porosity in the weld.

 

[mangocrazy]

Excellent stuff. So it's definitely a goer.

And better still, it's borderline legal; I do enjoy a spot of risk in my DIY activities...

 

[chunkolini]

I have been using coins in my work for some time.

Hoping to get myself busted and generate some publicity i contacted the treasury to see what they had to say.
This is their response
Just had it pointed out that my name and address are up for internet weirdoes.
Letter basically says that s the welds are small and removable I am not breaking any laws.

 

[Coo]

Like it !

 

[zzr1200]

Now that's a handy piece of paper, defo worth its weight in gold so to speak...just in case HMCE/Police come calling.......

 

[Shox Dr]

Surely its not your concern what the scrapman does with the coins, if they decide to "scrap" them that's their problem is it not.