Welding a lug back on a mag

[PinkyPlinker]

I have a mag with a lug that has broken off. We have a small wire feed arc welder in the shop at work. I'd like to try welding it back on before scrapping it. Does the bluing need to be removed? Any tips? I've done some MIG welding on larger things but not small stuff and no arc experience at all.
Thanks!

 

[guntech]

Bluing does not have to be removed..

 

[tootall]

Expect to blow a hole thru the sheet metal if you have no experience with light gauge metal.

 

[PinkyPlinker]

Expect to blow a hole thru the sheet metal if you have no experience with light gauge metal.

Expected. I've got some bits to practice on.

 

[Fargone4sure]

You would have better luck with a tig. But silver braze would work as well. Even bronze braze would be preferable to mig in my experience.

 

[one Lonewolf]

035 wire on pulse mod if you have it and or try multiple tacks instead of laying a lot of heat on it.

 

[Gord-a]

Yes you might want to get someone that knows what to do so you dont damage the mag i am a welder fabricator by trade i would love to help but i live in BC you need very small wire and you have to make sure it is not Aluminum or stainless steel but good luck if you are going to do it try to practice on a piece of metal that is close to the same tickness and turn the heat and wire speed way down and start there and go up or down if needed and try to just spot weld it back on if you can so it dont get to hot and blow a hole or worp it and yes i would clean the area of where you want to weld so it will stick better good luck and have fun.

 

[PinkyPlinker]

I've done a fair bit of silver soldering. Would that be a better way to go?

 

[SND]

Tig is always best for small/thin stuff, but either way see if you can get a piece of Al or copper on the back side as a heat sink.
If you can get it hot enough(red, around 1200F usually...) silver braze its really strong too.
Kinda hard to really tell without seeing it.

 

[ronnie01]

Show a picture should be an easy tig weld.After I see the pic it would be easier to give advice.You need a machine that goes down to at least 5 amps for a clean start and a few more things as well but in general it should be doable. .040" electrode,.035" wire gas lens and a good skill set.I have been tig welding for 30+ years,can be done other ways that is just my2¢

R

 

[Wiked Nursey]

Solder

 

[Silvertip13]

I've welded lots of small finicky things with mig. Practice. 023" wire if you got it.

 

[TRDJer]

The bluing should be removed before welding. If you have a block of copper or bronze you could put that on the inside surface to stop from blowing a whole through.

 

[PinkyPlinker]

Thanks for the tips everybody.
So, my available options are wire feed arc or silver solder. I'll check what size wire is in the welder tomorrow. If it's small enough I'll practice sticking together stuff that is similar in size.
I'm thinking tacking it together then silver soldering might be the way to go.

 

[turbo_bird]

Gas welding works good with thin sheet metal too if you have access to an oxy/acetelyne torch and a small enough tip. Can use regular mig wire for filler rod. in a pinch.
Kristian

 

[PinkyPlinker]

I do have a small oxy-acetelyne torch. Thanks for jogging my grey matter! A few things to try.

 

[Belzebuth666]

Dont forget too remove the follower if you can.