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12/4/2014 12:30:43 PM EDT
Looking for some welding guidance here on attaching a Battlecomp 1.5 to my 14.5" Daniel Defense barrel. I'm not interested in other methods such as soldering.

The battlecomp is a stainless steel. I'm wondering if I can tack weld the tool steel pin using non stainless welding wire?  Will the weld adhear to the battlecomp ok?
12/4/2014 1:23:27 PM EDT
[#1]
I don't think so.  Stainless takes special techniques?  I think.  Open to correction.
12/4/2014 1:24:29 PM EDT
[#2]
Accidental double tap.  Sorry.
12/4/2014 2:16:09 PM EDT
[#3]
I build extrusion dies. Occasionally I will have to weld on 420stainless with the MIG using regular wire. It works just ok. The stainless parts that I work with are hardened. And the welds almost always crack around the bead, then break off. I think it's mostly because of the parts being hardened. Mostly because it happens to the hardened D2 parts that I've welded also. I would imagine that a muzzle device would have some kind of heat-treatment for longevity. Take this as you will...

Does anyone know if you can legally use a blind pin then braze? If so, I think it'll be a better solution.
12/4/2014 2:24:34 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
I build extrusion dies. Occasionally I will have to weld on 420stainless with the MIG using regular wire. It works just ok. The stainless parts that I work with are hardened. And the welds almost always crack around the bead, then break off. I think it's mostly because of the parts being hardened. Mostly because it happens to the hardened D2 parts that I've welded also. I would imagine that a muzzle device would have some kind of heat-treatment for longevity. Take this as you will...

Does anyone know if you can legally use a blind pin then braze? If so, I think it'll be a better solution.
View Quote



Brazing temp is around 840F.  Silver Solder is 1200F.  Brazing probably doesn't meet the BATFE spec.

If you can drill your muzzle device with a low speed carbon steel bit, it is probably not hardened and then MIG would work just fine.  It would not be rust resistant.
12/4/2014 3:00:54 PM EDT
[#5]
The last few muzzle devices I have pinned and welded I ended up using a dowel pin that was protruded slightly above the device and used a TIG set up to melt that down to the muzzle device. including a battle comp. Works fine and left a nice clean weld.  If all you have is mig then well I can't help there.
12/4/2014 4:11:06 PM EDT
[#6]
When I did my bllind-pin, I used Silicone Bronze Filler Wire, and used a tig welder as well. I chose Silicone Bronze because I would not have to worry painting the weld over, rusting, or producing a heat affected zone (HAZ). I used a thermal barrier paste as well to keep the heat from spreading past the filler material laid in the puddle. Since the ATF guidelines in the NFA Handbook Chapter 2 for permanent methods of attachment when blind pinning just requires the pin head welded over, and doesn't specify filler material types you have a variety of filler materials to work with depending the alloys in question (i.e., muzzle device, pin)

12/4/2014 6:19:31 PM EDT
[#7]
I used a mig with standard wire on a SS break.  It worked fine.  All it has to do is hold the pin in place.  There isn't any stress on the dab of weld you are applying.
12/4/2014 6:28:46 PM EDT
[#8]
Definately can weld stainless with regular wire.  I used a stainless axle on my welding cart and just welded it with the mig.  However, you can pick up a small spool of stainless steel wire, run it with your C25 gas, and be good.  Typically want to use a tri gas mix, but its such a small weld that it probably won't matter (and will likely be ground smooth anyway).
12/4/2014 6:52:02 PM EDT
[#9]
Typically a 309 hand fed filler rod is used for TIG welding mild steel and 304 stainless steel together.
12/4/2014 8:02:03 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Looking for some welding guidance here on attaching a Battlecomp 1.5 to my 14.5" Daniel Defense barrel. I'm not interested in other methods such as soldering.

The battlecomp is a stainless steel. I'm wondering if I can tack weld the tool steel pin using non stainless welding wire?  Will the weld adhear to the battlecomp ok?
View Quote

Just my opinion, but I think it really should be TIG welded - just for looks. A welding shop would probably do it for a 6-pack.
12/4/2014 8:20:51 PM EDT
[#11]


Thanks for all the responses.  I think I got enough info from you guys to have some confidence that the mig weld with regular wire will be sufficient to hold the pin in place.  I'll try some test welds on some stainless I have laying around first.
12/6/2014 3:44:56 PM EDT
[#12]
It will crack unless you use the pin and cap with ss wire or silicon bronze. Carbon steel contracts at a different rate than ss, hence the cracking. Welding hardened carbon steel is generally not a good idea either and using improper technique will result in a porous mess.

However, after seeing what is acceptable as far welded muzzle devices you should be able to just keep on blobbing it on there until something sticks (photo above excluded from comment because that looks good and is how it should be done).
12/7/2014 4:23:17 AM EDT
[#13]
Ok, a neighbor was able to tig weld it for me. Used a stainless steel pin as well. Came out great.
12/7/2014 11:38:19 PM EDT
[#14]
Good deal, that's the best way to go about doing it. Makes a professional looking end result with no finish work needed.
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