mig welding brass

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Ive heard that you can mig weld brass is this true? If so what gas and wire do you use,and is the a good process to use? I have some Brass hand rail that I need to butt weld. was going to o/a it but would like to try mig if possiblethankssteveBTS Welding
Reply:Steve,  I have done it in the past.  It is kind of like reverse brazing.   I have never done it with full welds, more like small tacks, but I think the general idea would be the same.  Basically due to the zinc content I would keep my welds short and concise.  Kinda stitch it up.  Better yet run some test welds first.  In my experience of doing it I have done it with both 100% CO2 and Ive done it with 75/25.   Wire was stardandard Mig wire,  ER70S or whatever that stuff is called.  Anyways as always I would try a couple test runs of it before settling on it.  But as your question states, can be it done...yes it can be.  Will it be easy, cant really comment as my experience was a differnt application then yours will be.  Hope this helps.  Good luckCHRIS
Reply:I have no experience with mig welding rail, I have had good luck tig welding it.  The thing to watch is the color of the finished weld (filler). You will need to make a few practice welds, as suggested, and see what is right for you application. On the first try, it all looked good, until it was ground and polished, the weld stood out as a different color. We changed filler rods, (alloys) and found the right fix.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:thanks for the replys ill try it . the weld color dosent matter ao much as the strength because the finished product will be nickle plated.thanks againBTS Welding
Reply:I'd use silicon bronze with pure Argon.  I've oxy acetylened brass and that's a bear.  It conducts the heat so well you have to be really careful if you have another weld within twenty feet or so (joke).  Make sure you have plenty of heat sink material or you'll be redoing one weld because doing the last one caused it to let go. It is interesting to say the least.But I would try silicon bronze and argon.  (if it was cheap everyone would be doing it)life is good
Reply:thanks harv,ill give it a shot. thats what i figured but wanted to ask anyway. Iv been reading this site for a while and your advice is usually right on especially  little bitty bites. Ive built a bending jig for flat bar the hard way the way you did. and it works great . just finished a big job building curved balcony rails for a residence all curved by hand thankssteveBTS Welding
Reply:Originally Posted by steve buterathanks harv,ill give it a shot. thats what i figured but wanted to ask anyway. Iv been reading this site for a while and your advice is usually right on especially  little bitty bites. Ive built a bending jig for flat bar the hard way the way you did. and it works great . just finished a big job building curved balcony rails for a residence all curved by hand thankssteve