How to Weld 5160
Grade 5160 steel is a type of spring steel used in automotive leaf-springs and weapon blades. Due to its high carbon content ,5160 steel is not easily weldable. The steel will need to be preheated first before any repairs are made. Metal inert gas (MIG) welding can be used to repair 5160 when needed. MIG welders can either be purchased or rented through tool supply stores. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Mig welder
- Welding helmet
- Insulated gloves
- Oven or torch
- Wire brush
- Shop towel
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Instructions
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Clean the area to be welded with a wire brush to remove rust, paint and dirt. Wipe the debris away with a shop towel. Be certain no oily residue is present or else the weld will not stick.
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Pre-heat the steel by putting it in an oven or grill set to 500 degrees. If size requirements prohibit the use of an oven or grill, use a torch to heat the steel.
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Ground the MIG welder to the working surface using the alligator clip on the ground cable. Turn the machine on and set to the desired voltage output.
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Put on the welding helmet and insulated gloves. Start the weld by creating a weld pool at the beginning of the area to be welded with the welding torch. A weld pool will be a puddle of melted metal that has formed from the heat of the torch. Let the filler wire from the wire-fed spool extend 3/8 of an inch from the contact tube.
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Hold the welding gun at a 15-degree angle to the area being welded. Keep the welding gun in front of the weld pool and begin to repair the steel by using semi-circle motions. Continue along the length of the repair area until the weld is completed.
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Let the steel cool. Use the wire brush to smooth the weld. After cooling, the steel can be painted if desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Always weld in a well ventilated area.
Do not weld near flammable materials.
References
Resources
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