[TheForge] brass hand rail

[James Binnion]

>Thanks for all the advice and pitfalls to look out for. The consensus was
>that architectural bronze cannot be welded but that is what Mike did, No?
>Nor TIG welded but what about TIG brazed?
Steve,
  I think Mike said he TIG welded "Silicon Bronze" which is a totally 
different critter, you said you were using C385 which is not a 
Silicon Bronze. In alloys with high zinc content the zinc boils off 
as you try to weld it and makes a mess. The Silicon Bronzes 
(C647-C661 series) have less than 1.5% zinc, C385 is 35% zinc. I have 
not been able to successfully TIG weld any high zinc alloys. Also 
since C385 is a Leaded Brass you run a risk of inhaling lead vapors 
while welding as the lead will boil off like the zinc if you try to 
TIG it. I would not even try to TIG braze it due to the high (about 
3% ) lead content of C385 .
-- 
Jim Binnion