Welding Brake-Line

[R/C Bashist]

I've welded a few bumpers together out of 3/16" brake-line, and for some reason it gets too hot too quickly and will melt if I do much more than a tack at a time. I've got my MIG(wire fed) welder's wire speed turned all the way down, and the heat turned down as far as it'll go and still weld smooth.

Here's a few examples:







I see roll cages like MG200 makes, and the welds are so smooth. How do you do that? Is it brazed and not welded? Is it something more solid than brake-line? TIG welded? Do you use a finer feed? Or what?

[SMR 510RR]

You cant do much more than tack around the whole tube with a mig, a tig is a better option but even that is a pain on tubing.

You can try running a higher wire speed to run a cooler puddle but I doubt you will get more than a tack at a time without burning through. I switched to solid rod for most of my stuff because it is cheaper and easier to work with.

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

Brazing works best on brake tubing.

[Grichardson152]

Originally Posted by SMR 510RR

You cant do much more than tack around the whole tube with a mig, a tig is a better option but even that is a pain on tubing.

You can try running a higher wire speed to run a cooler puddle but I doubt you will get more than a tack at a time without burning through. I switched to solid rod for most of my stuff because it is cheaper and easier to work with.

X2! I use solid rod too. As long as you keep most of the weight low and center, theres no disadvantages over tube that I can tell. Plus a mig works great on it.

Sent from my DROID X2

[skin6061]

IS your mig gas or gas less? It looks like it's gas less and your using flux wire. Which burns hotter than just solid wire and gas. If you can switch your mig over to gas and use a solid wire that might help you with your heat settings.

[Frikenwoodro]

Dont put the welding lead so close. Have the wire come out some. Worked for me.

[R/C Bashist]

Originally Posted by skin6061

IS your mig gas or gas less? It looks like it's gas less and your using flux wire. Which burns hotter than just solid wire and gas. If you can switch your mig over to gas and use a solid wire that might help you with your heat settings.

I'm quite sure it's gas, it's got a big tank on the back that says "Argon" on it.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by R/C Bashist

I'm quite sure it's gas, it's got a big tank on the back that says "Argon" on it.

I'd say that is a pretty good indication...

[ScaleReady]

What type of welder?

[KMS]

I read some where about Wire size ,The smaller wire is what they used ,,I dont know ,,I have both,and braze brake line tubing,,,,KMS,,,,,

[Grinder0613]

I made some bumpers for my rig out of break line also and i soldered then together using silver solder and a small torch. worked out pretty well i think. i didnt get a chance to take picks.

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

I'd say that is a pretty good indication...

But is it hooked up? Those are some pretty bad welds.

Silver solder is the best way to go. Why mess with MIG or TIG when you can go with the flow

[R/C Bashist]

Originally Posted by C*H*U*D

But is it hooked up? Those are some pretty bad welds.

Silver solder is the best way to go. Why mess with MIG or TIG when you can go with the flow

It's definitely hooked up, I notice a big difference if I forget to turn it on. The welds turn out all bubbly.

I go with a MIG because it's what's sitting in my shop. I'd like to try brazing sometime, and do a strength test compared to MIG.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by R/C Bashist

It's definitely hooked up, I notice a big difference if I forget to turn it on. The welds turn out all bubbly.

I go with a MIG because it's what's sitting in my shop. I'd like to try brazing sometime, and do a strength test compared to MIG.

Silver solder is plenty strong. If it weren't we'd all be using something else. That is the nice thing about RCC...we tend to use what works, not what looks pretty or gets all the hype.

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Silver solder is plenty strong. If it weren't we'd all be using something else. That is the nice thing about RCC...we tend to use what works, not what looks pretty or gets all the hype.

But silver solder does look pretty and it does get all the hype...for good reason

[mtdriver]

Braze it right and the tube rips before the joint does, well, anything!

[vonclod]

Originally Posted by KMS

I read some where about Wire size ,The smaller wire is what they used ,,I dont know ,,I have both,and braze brake line tubing,,,,KMS,,,,,

i had much better results with the mig when i went down in wire size..i think i,m useing .023

[Josh_Br]

A friend of mine uses uncoated brake line, silver soldier, and a MAPP gas torch for brazing. It is really, really, really strong, and seems to be easy to work with.

[Josh_Br]

That friend I mentioned made a video about brazing: Keystone RC Enthusiasts Forums • Search

[BigSki]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Silver solder is plenty strong. If it weren't we'd all be using something else. That is the nice thing about RCC...we tend to use what works, not what looks pretty or gets all the hype.

some of us use silicon bronze filler rod, it works pretty good. My issue w/ the saftey-sil is, although it's 45% silver ( very strong metal) it's still 55% lead ( not so strong )