Copper Sheet Welding

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Is there a good write-up on copper sheet welding? Running a syncrowave, tig, of coarse. What gas mix, polarity, electrode shape, pulse recommendations? Got $400+ in materials, and it absolutely needs to be water/air tight.
Reply:Here's a link on Jody's site with a lot of information on copper welding.http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/...r-welding.htmlRegards, Peterwww.petermoll.nl
Reply:Whiskey still huh? I use the same set up as I do for DCEN aluminum. Lab Grade helium, 2% thoriated tungsten, about 200 amps available to the foot control and patience. Weld it just like aluminum.  The copper will turn black but will polish up nicely, post weld.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Pangea, why lab grade?  For that matter, what is your gas distributors definition of lab grade?Experience is something you get right after you need it
Reply:UHP (Ultra High Purity)  Helium is lab grade use it at work every dayLast edited by WeldorWes; 01-22-2012 at 12:44 AM.Miller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:I work in the gas business, and was wondering what various distributors call " lab grade."  I just checked my website, and we have 5 different "lab grades", all with different specifications for individual impurities.  We also have at least 1 industrial grade, and good ol balloon grade.Experience is something you get right after you need it
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaWhiskey still huh? I use the same set up as I do for DCEN aluminum. Lab Grade helium, 2% thoriated tungsten, about 200 amps available to the foot control and patience. Weld it just like aluminum.  The copper will turn black but will polish up nicely, post weld.
Reply:F'em tell them its an ethanol plant.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Argon is fine for copper. I brazed up some 2" pipe with SIFBronze No1 Attached Images
Reply:It appears that the use of helium is for the same reason you would use it with aluminum, to increase heat input into the puddle. Sounds like you can use 80/20 helium/argon just as well
Reply:If David is worried about what DCEN will do to his tungsten, hope he doesn't switch to DCEP.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:It needs to be welded quickly from my experience.  I've welded thinner stuff, 1/8 with argon DCEN with no problem. Never have used helium on copper so I defer to the poster who has.  I did some welding on 1/2" copper with argon an DCEN and started our with a nice bead but quit working well after a couple of inches.  It may work OK that way if the whole piece was shielded.  My thinking is that too much heat got ahead of the weld puddle and when copper gets hot, it absorbs oxygen and you have contamination.  The helium allows a much quicker puddle.MILLER 330 AB/PMILLER GOLD STAR 130KUBOTA BX24CASE MINI HAY PRESSBENCH MILLHYPERTHERM 45BABY HOSSFELD
Reply:I just brazed it up. It worked out well, and got it done cheap and fast. Screw welding it if you don't need too.
Reply:we weld copper counter tops with integrated sinks.  We use plain argon, dcen, and sheared filler rod.Gotta move fast, or it will start to oxidize.  When butt welding sheets together we dont clamp the stuff close to the weld joint.  It will shrink and stretch in a small area, and it is almost impossible to get if flat again.  We find that it is best to just let it do what it wants to do naturally, its easier to flatten big humps, rather than mountains.  Hard to explain, takes practice.