welding a steering column tube

[fordman]

the tube being a thing piece of metal woudl you mig weld it or tig weld it?

[BobbyFord]

Either/Or. Gas welding is also an option. Whatever is available, assuming the weld will be ground and filed anyway.

[fordman]

we dont want it to burn through. and we thought a mig may burn through the thin outer tube. i am against just brazing it.

[BobbyFord]

With good gas welding skills the job should be easy enough.

[fordman]

brazing doesnt look professional.

[70_F100]

brazing doesnt look professional.

You can make a "brazed" connection look just as good as a "welded" connection.

I've done it hundreds of times.

[1971ford]

Just do little tacks all around, it shouldn't be too hard.

[fordman]

the other problem with brazing is that it never holds in the places with this kind of stress. this needs a good weld that will hold real stress. and i would like to hide the repair as much as possible. brazing has never been very hideable for me. paint just doesnt stick to it very well. for very long. not like it would steel. brazing is out and i will probably never ever braze anything ever in my life time again.

[70_F100]

I've used brazing to repair hundreds of hydraulic lines that held 2500-3500PSI. That's a LOT more than would ever be encountered by a steering column. No problem with paint (painted the machine later), and no problem with longevity (3000 hours or more).

A quick MIG or TIG weld is quicker and easier, but IMHO, not any better.

[fordman]

believe me it wil be 100% better. it is a closed subject and will not f ing happen so thsoe of you who say braze it. it will not fing happen.

[fireguywtc]

Then for arguments sake TIG weld it, and if thats not available MIG it. I can't see the column metal being much thinner then any other body metal.

[fordman]

it is pretty thin and the area to be welded is very small in one place. thats why i was told it should probably be tigged. i can mig for anything. i know i can arc weld. but migging always burns through or doesnt stick for me. brass is too weak of a metal to nto get metal fatigue and break in half itself. i have had it happen too many times before.

[shaggys_bump]

I would say mig it. But be sure you are actually running gas flux insted of a standard wire feed welder, it turns out much neater and stronger and you can usually turn your heat down really low and still be able to melt the wire for it to stick "depending on which machine you use".

[papabug71]

What area are you trying to weld fordman? Did it break a tab up top ?

I have welded up a bunch of holes on the 2 steering columns im re-doing. The P.O.'s had screwed a bunch of gauges in at one point in time. I had no problems with my 220V MIG.
.025 wire running 90/10 gas. Set it on the low side & make good quick welds. Dont let it puddle up or it will blow thru.

I also have to weld up a broken tab on the P/S 3 speed column. I havent done it yet simply because I have 2 auto columns tore apart on the bench now.

[fordman]

yea its the tabs the bolts for the collar hold it on with. very small area to weld. it is a 3 spd manaul column i am rebuilding.