Not a welder, need project advise please!!!

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Hi all welders.  I am a crafter and I have come up with a project idea that I just cant let go of.  The problem is, I am not sure if it requires welding, soldering, braising or what.  I hope you can help me.   The project is vey small, it consists  of attaching several 1" metal clips to and 1/8" round strip of metal.  currently steel.  (which I learned does not solder!)  This is an ideas I really want to do, but I don't know where to start.  It seems to me welding would just melt the parts and that is not what I want to do.  I have looked around my house at several "made in china" metal decoratives & knick knaks, they seem to have one tiny "tack weld" holding it together.  Please advise on what I need to do..Thank you, ErinPS I am attaching a sample idea - not what I am doing but it consists of the same two clips and metals. Attached Images
Reply:If it's small pieces of metal i would advise TIG welding it. It's perfectly fine to use for thin metal as you can control the heat and weld with accuracy.The thing is if you've never welded before it is for me anyway the most difficult to learn and has higher costs attached too. But the it would be worth it for the quality of weld which can be produced, I'd imagine the chinese tacks are done with TIG.Or if you can't be bothered with all of that just send everything over to me and I'll do it for a low low fee  TIG Welding...Metaltrades.co.uk
Reply:Thank you for your help.  What tools do I need for TIG welding, what cost am I in for, and how can I learn??  That is kind of you to offer your services as well.  I will definately consider it.  Thank you, Erin
Reply:Originally Posted by BittersweetThank you for your help.  What tools do I need for TIG welding, what cost am I in for, and how can I learn??  That is kind of you to offer your services as well.  I will definately consider it.  Thank you, Erin
Reply:I didn't realize you were in a different country!!  I guess that won't work.  I will read up on tig welding and digest this information.  I'm a quick learner, and I am interested in doing it myself.  Thanks so much for your help.  The cost of the supplies may be more than finding an experienced welder to do the job.  I will look into it.  Any U.S. welders know of pricing and the materials, I'd love the advise!!Thank youErin
Reply:For something like you pictured I'd go buy some high grade epoxy. Everything has it's uses and that just looks like an epoxy job to me.As for getting a tig for that type of stuff you could probably get everything you need for less than $1500 new. If you took your time shopping for used equipment without the "right now" mentality you could save a bunch.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Originally Posted by BittersweetHi all welders.  I am a crafter and I have come up with a project idea that I just cant let go of.  The problem is, I am not sure if it requires welding, soldering, braising or what.  I hope you can help me.   The project is vey small, it consists  of attaching several 1" metal clips to and 1/8" round strip of metal.  currently steel.  (which I learned does not solder!)  This is an ideas I really want to do, but I don't know where to start.  It seems to me welding would just melt the parts and that is not what I want to do.  I have looked around my house at several "made in china" metal decoratives & knick knaks, they seem to have one tiny "tack weld" holding it together.  Please advise on what I need to do..Thank you, ErinPS I am attaching a sample idea - not what I am doing but it consists of the same two clips and metals.
Reply:This sounds like very small project.  I would not go spend a boat load of money on a TIG welder and all the stuff that goes along with it just to use for this small project.   Maybe a small, inexpensive oxy-fuel torch might be a better solution, or the epoxy or other adhesive idea sounds good too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloSteel most certainly DOED solder. I was a sheetmetal worker for 12 years, I have soldered steel to steel, and steel to braas, bronze and copper.  You need the right flux, and the right fillers for what you have. Try going to a metal supply house, or a sheetmetal shop. You will likely need a hydrochloric acid based flux, but there are many different paste fluxes to use, and some powdered flux. Furthermore, you would need to maybe sand the small areas to be soldered, but more likely, the acid will etch it clean enough. If the parts you are working with are SS, you will need a silver solder. Or, nickel mix brazing rod. But for stuff that small, I would just stick to a tiny propane torch, and solder.
Reply:Rohodiablo told you right. Brownell's has some 475 degree solder and flux that would work great for that. You can use a small propane torch. I believe Turbo Torch has about what you need. Allstate used to make a low temp solder that was good but I haven't used any in years and don't know if Allsate is still in business.
Reply:DOES. Not DOED. My fat little fingers get in the way sometimes!!! And now, I can't even edit it. Gawd, I feel like a dolt.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:What exactly is this device for???...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterWhat exactly is this device for???...zap!
Reply:Thank you all for your advise.  The project is basically a wall hanging with 1/8" round metal pieces about 24" long that will have alligator clips attached approx. every 4" to hold photos.  The picture really isnt a great representation.  Will soldering create a solid attachment?  Or will pressure break it apart.  The clips will be used alot so I am looking for a solid attachment.   I did try soldering but I forgot the ever so important component called flux!!  Live and learn I guess.  What exactly is the right soldering materials I would need?  I bought a soldering iron.  Is it something I can pick up locally at a Home Depot or Lowes?  Or would a welding supply be the right place??
Reply:I just got your roach clip joke.  hahaha!  No its really a craft project, for photos.  Since I haven't made it yet, The was the best picture I could find on the internet.
Reply:Originally Posted by BittersweetThank you all for your advise.  The project is basically a wall hanging with 1/8" round metal pieces about 24" long that will have alligator clips attached approx. every 4" to hold photos.  The picture really isnt a great representation.  Will soldering create a solid attachment?  Or will pressure break it apart.  The clips will be used alot so I am looking for a solid attachment.   I did try soldering but I forgot the ever so important component called flux!!  Live and learn I guess.  What exactly is the right soldering materials I would need?  I bought a soldering iron.  Is it something I can pick up locally at a Home Depot or Lowes?  Or would a welding supply be the right place??
Reply:I suspect a tack welder will work for what you want to do.  Quick, cheap, and easy.Suggest you take the items that you want to assemble to a local welding shop to see if they will tack weld them together.  Ask if you can watch, during the process; then, you will know if it works... or, not.
Reply:If you are worried about strength you can silver or Hard solder it.  For small stuff like that a propane torch should give you enough heat.a  Silver brazing does take a little practice but is certainly doable.  What works best for me is to hammer the solder flat then cut about 1/8 inch.  Flux both parts. set the solder in the flux then set the two pieces together.  Heat both pieces. you will see the solder flow just somewhere between dull red and cherry red heats.  Remove the heat as soon as the solder flows.You will have to go to a LWS to get the supplies.  45% silver should be good for what you are doing. Expect to pay around $20 (may be higher) for a troy ounce but that will go a long long way.  You will also need the proper flux. ( get the black Harris if they have it. If not the white is fine.)A couple of fire bricks will make a good surface to work on.You may want to grind or file a small flat on the rod to increase the surface that is brazed.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:You can soft solder NON stainless mild steel, get the proper activated liquid flux, and it should work great, crimp first then solder, and it'll work great.
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldordieI suspect a tack welder will work for what you want to do.  Quick, cheap, and easy.Suggest you take the items that you want to assemble to a local welding shop to see if they will tack weld them together.  Ask if you can watch, during the process; then, you will know if it works... or, not.
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldordieI suspect a tack welder will work for what you want to do.  Quick, cheap, and easy.Suggest you take the items that you want to assemble to a local welding shop to see if they will tack weld them together.  Ask if you can watch, during the process; then, you will know if it works... or, not.
Reply:If it took me a minute or two, I would do the weld for nothing.  Guess it all depends on the guy you run into at your local fab shop.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldordieJust had a brain farth, here.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrainfarthIf it took me a minute or two, I would do the weld for nothing.  .
Reply:Originally Posted by BrainfarthThe older I get, the more often I get them.  Gotta love heavy metals for lunch.Originally Posted by WeldordieAs an aside... the other night I was watching a program about how burial caskets are made.  One segment featured a couple of guys spraying paint in a large booth, and I almost fell out of my chair when I noticed that neither worker was wearing a respirator.  I can't imagine they just took off their respirators for the video.  Probably won't be too long before they'll be needing to use the caskets they produce.  Hope they can get ex-employee discounts.  Wonder where OSHA is.