tig welding balls

[Badger1bear]

No I dont mean setting your trousers on fire from welding I am wondering if I can just tig weld stainless steel balls to other stainless steel ? Its purely decorative so no real strength needed.

Simon

 

[Spark plug]

I can't think of any reason why not.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I did similar with mig, the frame was only 2mm thickness and the balls were solid 50mm, in reality there was no chance of getting anywhere near good penetration on the ball but it was only for the feet of a patio planter, I tried it and out of interest tried to batter the ball off...it's still stuck firmly on, so ok for decoration use as far as I was concerned.

 

[Kent]

Of course show us how the ball needs to be on the other mystery part. I can't at present see the difficulty - is it in the joint layout?

 

[Badger1bear]

Of course show us how the ball needs to be on the other mystery part. I can't at present see the difficulty - is it in the joint layout?

I have been asked if I could make a few of these little critters

 

[Richard.]

Dead easy mate.
Just tack em up with stainless filler rod.
They look pretty cool.

 

[Kent]

Funky little beasties. The thread just got a heap more interesting with added pictures

Tacking in just the right place might be a fiddle. I wonder about two holes in the right place and a plug tack before filling the void?

 

[Richard.]

Funky little beasties. The thread just got a heap more interesting with added pictures

Tacking in just the right place might be a fiddle. I wonder about two holes in the right place and a plug tack before filling the void?

It definitely needs two holes in those SS balls anyway to finish it off as eyes.

 

[Kent]

I was meaning the spoon so you can locate them easy on the correct plane

However I agree for what it is could be worthwhile adding eye enhancement

 

[Richard.]

was meaning the spoon so you can locate them

Yes that's a really good idea.
Sand a little flat first so drill doesn't roll on the spoons curve.
Could even go right through and weld it from underneath where the tack cannot be seen. Is that what you meant.

 

[Kent]

Yes that's a really good idea.
Sand a little flat first so drill doesn't roll on the spoons curve.
Could even go right through and weld it from underneath where the tack cannot be seen. Is that what you meant.

Yep but I also like the weld bead forming a stalk. I think wonky eyes might spoil one or two. It won't be hard to drill those holes right depending on quantity youcould make a little jig or just centre pop each

 

[Member 66061]

Yep but I also like the weld bead forming a stalk. I think wonky eyes might spoil one or two. It won't be hard to drill those holes right depending on quantity youcould make a little jig or just centre pop each

It looks like the balls were welded to pieces of rod as stalks
Cutlery critters