Hillbillysmith

I stand corrected Thomas, thank you. So that narrows it down then, only oxygen is the reactive gas. Now all i have to do is figure out what alloy at certain temps turn the specific colors.... -Hillbilly

Alright. So we all know (our should know) that you can change a metal's color or appearance by heat and w call it anodizing or patina (can also be done by chemical but....). Stainless, for example, will change colors by welding if its not shielded completely from the atmospheric gasses while at a raised temperature..... Now, here's my question for all you intellects on here; can anybody tell me exactly what atmospheric gas, reacting at what temperature, and with what specific metal creates which color??? Hopefully i explained this well enough. For example (example only): chromium reacts with nitrogen at 875 degrees fahrenheit to create a dark blue almost violet color.... See what I'm saying? If you were able to break this down to a science, you could get amazingly beautiful designs. -Hillbilly

In this particular case, i may consider skipping the tungsten carbide experiment and go on to something else of the wall..... I once found a website that sold beryllium and beryllium alloys. Hehe :-D i even have textbooks that give welding procedures for beryllium and its alloys. Even gives for uranium. -Hillbilly

Anybody know where i can order tungsten carbide stock?? Round stock approximately 1" diameter. I'd like to make a tungsten carbide ring. In addition, does anybody know the weldability, possibly heat treatment, and inlay/engraving potential of this material?? -Hillbilly

I never thought about anodizing Thomas...... Potential idea! -Hillbilly

Just playing around earlier today, i spun up some titanium wire i had, rolled it, and welded it together then polished it out. And thoughts? (Hoping the picture posting works since I'm on my cell phone) .) Let me know what y'all think. -Hillbilly

I knew that the job postings were for large, industrial applications. These particular one mainly being on- and offshore drilling.... If the job is primarily just surfacing with a hard facing consumable, then my question is; are there surfacing electrodes that contain carbide? Or is the job title just a generic field term??? -Hillbilly

I, too, will help when possible.... Just keep me posted Sam. -Hillbilly

I keep seeing job postings for "carbide welders" but, to my knowledge, carbide (tungsten carbide) is not a readily weldable material.... Unless it is performed by some sort of induction process or even a brazing process. Tig brazing maybe, could this perhaps be the confusion of where they get the "welding" from??? Seems to me (if my memory serves me well) on carbide tipped tooling, there seems to be a definitive line between the tip and the tooling body itself. Maybe some sort of transitioning material even? Maybe there is a material that readily bonds to both steel and carbide where as steel and carbide won't bond to each other? If so what would it be? Cobalt or a nickel alloy possibly? -Hillbilly

Looks like my post has been a hit so far.... Potential jewelry section in the future?? -Hillbilly

Is there no longer a classified section here on IFI or am i looking in the wrong place?? Much thanks. -Hillbilly

I certainly did not win the lottery and I'm only 23 so I'm not old.... Lol. I work hard for my money so i play equally as well. Haha. My last job paid very well. -Hillbilly

I've personally come across 4 different sized tracks as you speak of... Trolly rails are smaller, yes. -Hillbilly

I found a terrific website. Its exactly what I'm looking for and more! Its a jewelers' depot.... The sell solder, round wire, half round wire, square wire, sheet, bar, foil, gold, silver, platinum, tooling.... www.riogrand.com I'll be ordering about ten feet of 18k gold wire in the morning and possibly some silver sheet..... Now for another question; how do you work platinum??? This website has crucibles for casting under the platinum section which raises my curiosity. Can it be cold worked? Obviously in an annealed state, but.... Thinkin of buying some to play with. -Hillbilly

I have NEVER had a weld fail yet, test or in real life.... I am all too familiar with the risks associated with the work i do in this particular application. My buddy welded in some plates on the main drum where the blades are located and they came flying out like gossamer, punched holes through the barn walls, and almost punched out windows in the house (45 yards away)..... There's an extreme amount of rotational inertia as well as momentum. With the speeds he was running, i roughly calculated that the plates were traveling approximately 389.7mph..... So, needless to say, I'm aware. -Hillbilly

And besides, he's not doing nuclear work he's just looking to weld up an anvil..... I would bet a years worth of wages that i could do the job he's wanting to accomplish with the equipment he has available and it will pass x-ray and last for generations to come!!!!

Steve; The mig will definitely get penetration no matter the power backing it up. If you run your voltage and wire feed in correct synchronization, it will do its intended purpose. And the fact that if you preheat and prep the base material correctly, there will certainly be no issues...... I've already build my friends wood chipper and hammer mill powered by a 4-cylinder Perkins diesel and a 6-cylinder Perkins diesel with his little Lincoln 140 HD pak (or something like that) which is a 110v powered wire welder.... And so far ( 2 years and running hard chipping solid lumber) has never had a single problem! Its not about the equipment, its about the worker.

I like the way you think Trip!!! :-D -Hillbilly

Where's the "post" on that vise Bob S? -Hillbilly

I have to have one.... :) -Hillbilly

Thank you for the concern in the way of the airbags, but I've had my fair share of playful experiences with the undeployed ones... Hehe.

Thanks for all the info everybody but I'm still curious as to where i am able to purchase gold inlay wire... I was also informed there is fine gold wire lined inside an airbag. Can anyone validate this information for me? Thank you all. -Hillbilly

I believe i have a general idea, but exactly what the heck is Mokume Gane??????? Seems like it's either creating a form of Damascus with non ferrous metals or smelting your own recipe of materials to meet your color, and mechanical needs.... Am i close? -Hillbilly

I am unsure where to put this topic, so i put it in the most "artistic" area i knew of.... Has anybody tried jewelry making??? Either from copper, brass, bronze, coins, silver, gold, platinum, etc? I guess this is a form if metal working..... How did you do it; hot work or cold? Where did you obtain the material? Has anyone done inlaying on jewelry? Ever dabbled with setting precious stone in your work? What about decorative edging?. I ask so much because lately I've been thinking about do such as a hobby more so than heavy anything.... I have grown a fondness for delicate work as such since i got into the aviation business for a short time. I have made rings for a few ladies 5-6 years ago using silver coins (yes, i understand the "defacing" of government property or the destruction of coinage)... I'm looking into trying my hand at said artistic work. Any and all info is welcome and appreciated. -Hillbilly

Thanks Glenn.... I get on here when i can during my busy schedule but after a few years if being away, it's somewhat difficult to find my way around with the sight being so different. I like the way it's formatted thought. Very nice and clean. Excellent work! A large past on the back goes to Glenn and his administrators, well done. -Hillbilly