stainless/tool steel

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I fairly new to welding.  I have a mid range mig and can do mild steel and aluminium.  My project is to weld two halves of two different wrenches together to create a single 7/16 and 10 mm wrench (long story...).  I know that wrenches are generally made of various tool steels and that such steels are generally hard to weld but I have not been able to ascertain what specific kind of tool steel is used as it applies to welding.  I understand if this is crazy for the given equipment but I want to keep the cost on this rather low (ie. not buying more than wire, gas and any other little things).Thanks for your time.
Reply:For your simple project, just bevel the joint and weld it with general 70S-6 mig wire with shielding gas and you will be fine, or stick weld it with 7018, or tig it with 70S-2, whichever is your preference.  No need to buy anything special for what you're doing.  I've welded  tools before that way and it works fine.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I agree. I just welded a couple wrenches together the other day, used the TIG and some ER70S filler. Worked great.
Reply:Yeah, just wing it. You can always experiment, and do it over if it is not strong enough. Desertrider hit it perfectly.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:You can buy tool steel stick electrodes. No need to spend the extra $$ when regular 70xx filler will work just fine.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Might wrap the wrench ends in a wet towel.  This will keep the temps down and may keep from ruining the hardening.  You want that beautiful new wrench to round off the bolts, not the other way around, haha.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Thanks,Is there any way of preventing corrosion to the weld bead from rust?  Is there a cheap way to anodize the finished piece?
Reply:Probably not.  Even if you use stainless filler, the dilution with the tool steel side of the weld will still likely produce a region susceptible to rust.  Anodizing is a surface treatment for aluminum, not steel.  You could have the wrench chrome plated.  Or you could also paint it with a cold galvanizing compound.  The plating will not be cheap, and the paint or cold galv will readily scratch off.  Maybe a 2 part epoxy or urethane paint?  Again not easy or cheap.  Polishing the weld joint as smooth as possible will slow down any corrosion, but not stop it.  Polishing is labor intensive.What's the point in trying to prevent rust?  Is this something you're making for resale, so you want it to look good?  Or is it going to stay in some environment that is corrosive, so your customer has a specific corrosion problem you need to address? Originally Posted by emp1xThanks,Is there any way of preventing corrosion to the weld bead from rust?  Is there a cheap way to anodize the finished piece?
Reply:Another option is, bevel the joint, fill with 7018 and cap with tool steel electrode.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720