I need a couple of UJs for a gear lever extension I'm working on and 3/8 drive socket UJs seem pretty cheap. The problem is they all seem to be chromed. Will it kill me if I weld a rod to each end?

No...welding chrome plated stuff isnt going to kill you if you only do a little bit. If you were doing it all day every day then you should worry...

Just think stainless steel is about 12% chrome content...and most people would weld that happily enough.

David

Shouldn't be a problem welding chrome, but wouldn't it be easier to pin it instead?
A small nut and bolt going through would be a lot more user friendly.

Terry

You will end up with a brittle weld, brazing would be better.

or gind off the surface layer to expose the steel underneath and weld to that

Thanks guys.

Sockets etc are made of crap metal for welding. Brazing (which i HATE) is much better.. YOul find amig weld will soon break off..

Once welded a piece of 1" nominal bore galvanised steam pipe to a 27mm socket for use as a wheel brace for a twin wheel Transit. Welded it using low hydrogen rods and it gave years of faithful service, including the fat apprentice jumping on it not having realised that the nearside nuts were left handed. Doubt it'll mig any good though, even if you grind the chrome off first.

How much stress is on a gearlever extension? If the UJ is chrome moly, try arc welding it with a 1.6mm stainless rod. I cannot see any problems.