That's very interesting TechAl. Can you elaborate more for the benefit of this layman? I have already noticed cutlery that is harder to weld than others and basically I avoid what I think are not going to work but the science to my logic is largely uneducated.
Specifically, what am I looking for in the easiest cutlery to weld? what type? what is 28/8, what is 18/8 etc, all of these terms are alien to me.
Many thanks
J
Edit ... basically, anything that I think has some sort of plate or different finish other than I might have found on basic school canteen style cutlery I don't use, have never been able to get them to bond sufficiently. Presumably this is exactly the reason you are talking about.
Edit 2! .... I am using a WolfMig140 gas welder. With (typically I think) 0.8 or 0.9 copper coated wire and either an 80/20 or 86/14 argon to co2 mix. Really I am still ******* about with settings and making a lot of mistakes although the bird above was really useful and I picked up quite a few little technique improvements whilst doing it. Perhaps it was more luck than judgement that the bulk of the cutlery I used in it (30 odd knives and 15 or so spoons) were of the right type. They all seemed pretty generic standard cutlery which is why I picked them out the pile. having said that ... the two front side serving spoons have a slightly bronzy colour to them. They welded fine. What material are they likely to be?
Any light you can shed on all of that would be hugely appreciated, thanks again.
J
In a nutshell........the stuff that doesnt attract a magnet will give you the best results.....so avoid knives..........and check all the bits as some are made from 2 different grades ie the handle and the blade