Tigging Copper with SIF No8

[Shox Dr]

Had some copper tubing to join together. I was going to Silver solder it but couldn't find it. So I used SIFBronze No8. I don't think it came out too badly. The weld will to be dressed down, and polished

Used straight AC 130amps. 2.4mm Red Tungsten with a slight bevel. 10lpm

 

[langy]

Looks good mate, must admit i've never tried doing copper.

 

[Shox Dr]

Yes, I was pleased how it came out, the last time I tried copper, it ended in tears. But then I was using a different Set.

I was going to use Aluminium rod, I tried a bit on an offcut and it didn't look to bad either.

 

[mike os]

looks good

do you need ac for copper?

 

[Ragnarok]

thats interesting, i didn't know ac was used for copper welding! so that'll be the new thing i learnt today.

nice work.

 

[lincoln17]

I was sure copper was welded using DC current not Ac. Sorry if I am wrong.
Regards James

 

[Tigman]

Shox Dr , whats the job doing why join it together like that ? Im intrigued !

 

[Shox Dr]

I started off using DC with good results, tried AC and didn't bother changing back.

Why cope the joint, because it's cheaper than fittings


As for what it is, I can't say

And don't be letting the cat out the bag either, if you know.

 

[Hitch]

Last time i did any copper, i'm pretty sure I went the dc route.....same as brass.... clearly doesn't make much difference either way.

 

[Ragnarok]

i guess you get the advantage of a more focused are on DC though? the tungsten would stay sharp and not get a ball/flat spot on the end.

 

[voipio]

I may have misinterpreted an earlier comment but did you say you were thinking of using ali rod on copper? That combination would corrode rather rapidly on contact with water.

 

[Shox Dr]

As you say only if it's kept constantly in a wet state

 

[pedrobedro]

Last time i did any copper, i'm pretty sure I went the dc route.....same as brass.... clearly doesn't make much difference either way.

Don't weld brass, the zinc boils off before the copper part melts and leaves you with a mess and lots of smoke.

 

[RichardM]

I use copper wire out of Twin & Earth for filler - works well

 

[Tigman]

Did you find any cheap reducers in the end ? Oh and I havent a clue what that is ! but I wouldnt let on even if I did

 

[Shox Dr]

Yes I did thanks. £7 odd +Vat

 

[mike os]

130A.... how thick s the metal? do you need a lot of current with copper?

 

[hotrodder]

^ Yeah, copper's got higher thermal conductivity than ally and a higher melting point too. Last time i welded copper was a decorative job in 0.8 or 1mm C101 sheet, pretty sure i had the machine set at 90 odd amps albeit pedalled and backing off some as the welding progressed

Don't weld brass, the zinc boils off before the copper part melts and leaves you with a mess and lots of smoke.

'Brass' covers a lot of different alloys, there's low zinc flavours which aren't too bad (although you'd still want to avoid using a gas lens or breathing the fumes) and others up around 40% Zn which are next to impossible. The TWI 'job knowledge' pages were a good reference but vanished with the website update.

 

[Shox Dr]

1.2mm thick. As HR says it sucks up heat like Ali on Roids

 

[mike os]

picked up some No8's yesterday so will have a play when I get a mo.