Arc Welding Tool Steel to Mild

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Any advice on welding high carbon steel and mild?I suspect I'd have to anneal the tool steel, preheat, weld, and postheat?I use a Linoln AC225. Any advice on the rod selection would help too.Thanks folks!Belargehair__________________________Lincoln AC225 GLMHammers"I might be an adult, but I'm a minor at heart."
Reply:Use a rod that matches the tool steel. Weld Mold Co. has the best rods, and they can give you info on pre-heat,, interpass temp, and post heat. You will have to pre, and post heat, or else cracking will occur. What tool steel are you using? I am a Mold & Die welder, and I have quite a bit of info, and experience with tool steels. I'll be glad to help you out. ----------------------------John
Reply:I have a box of various files I got for dirt cheap. Some are black diamond and some say AXE on them. Should I anneal the high carbon steel before welding?Belargehair__________________________Lincoln AC225 GLMHammers"I might be an adult, but I'm a minor at heart."
Reply:If it's just a small are to be welded, you won't have to anneal the files. What exactly are you wanting to do? TIG welding would be the best way to do it. Also, you'll probably have trouble finding AC welding rod that's not real expensive. If you were to stick weld it, (or TIG), you would preheat the whole file to 300-400 deg. F (149-204 C) slowly and evenly. In the area to be welded, bring the temp up to around 500 deg. F (260 C) use a very close arc, depositing stringer beads. As soon as you are done welding, if it's a short weld, put it in some insulating material such as vermiculite to slow cool. That should get you started! Keep us posted----------------------John