Hi,

I have a small project which requires fastening pieces of 1/2 " x 1/8"
steel bar.

This is for a friends "wrought" ironwork hobby.

The instructions specify punching holes and using small bolts which in
my opinion look very bad.

I have done both oxy/acetylene welding and arc welding in the past.

I had considered brazing or soldering the joints but the color
difference is a problem. These are to be chemically treated for a
surface finish.

Spot welding was suggested but I have never seen spot welding of two
1/8" thick steel.

The two options I have come up with are an arc welder using 1/16" rod
or a cheap MIG welder with flux/wire (gasless). Both from a local
Harborfreight store.

Neither unit has to last very long since there are only a couple
hundred short welds to do. Time to clean up welds is not an issue at
the moment.


Any suggestions ?


Second item - are the automatic face shields any good. When using an
arc welder I always seemed to be looking at the arc before getting the
shield in place in order to start the weld.

thanks for any helpful comments.