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Are copper coated mild steel weld studs suitable for MIG/TIG welding to mild tube?
TimC - 4/11/12 at 03:48 PM

As above, have come across a load of these and they look ideal as earth studs, but will they weld ok?

minitici - 4/11/12 at 04:15 PM

Don't try and use gas welding mild steel rods for TIG - you will end up with porous welds.
Use the correct triple de-oxidised A15 mild steel rods specifically for TIG.

I tried using some gas rods when I first got my TIG and the welds turned out like volcanoes

The TIG rods are also copper coated for storage protection.

Peteff - 4/11/12 at 05:16 PM

Are they the ones for use with an actual stud welder ? If they are the copper coating is very thin and should be no problem, you already have copper coating on your mig wire or tig rods but it vapourises in the heat of the arc.

TimC - 4/11/12 at 05:19 PM

I don't think I've made myself very clear. Can I weld these to the chassis?

TimC - 4/11/12 at 05:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Are they the ones for use with an actual stud welder ? If they are the copper coating is very thin and should be no problem, you already have copper coating on your mig wire or tig rods but it vapourises in the heat of the arc.


That was my gut instinct Pete - and better than welding BZP.