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Old 01-09-2008, 12:56 PM
John B John B is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Starcross Devon UK
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Many years ago I had to make a curved braas tube handrail for a church, this presented a few problems which as they were solved created more problems. However relevant to this thread, during the process of putting the curve in the tube, as it work hardened, it fractured.
I made enquiries and was told by the "experts" at Britsh Oxygen Co, brass couldn't be welded.
So ignoring this advice (basically 'cos the job had to be done)and working on the principle if it can be cast or made molten, anything can be repaired, and nothing to lose because if it didn't repair it would be scrap.

I cut off a sliver of the tube and straightend it to use as a filler rod. And using oxy acetyline with a carburising flame and borax as a flux, I successfully repaired the area cracked and split.

When it was cleaned off and polished with the rest of the handrail, it was, and still is barely detectable, and it has never been noticed by anyone else, until pointed out to them, and then they have great trouble finding it, and some not finding it, others finding it in the wrong place.

Bronze welding into incised grooves on a steel body and cleaned off gives a great result, just remember it oxidises and will dull with time.
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