Dan Armstrong called me yesterday, he shares his wisdom of the world with me, including some greatly valued Tig welding tips. He discussed with me TIG welding the hammer in this post. He said exactly as I thought this hammer was hardened to the point of embrittlement. It was cracked at the base of the cocking latch groove through to the pivot pin whole. What Dan welded may last a lifetime of shooting or one more shot. The welding of this part most likely removed some of its hardness do to the induced heat. As you and he discussed this repair was to get the shooter through the National Matches. not necessarily a permanent fix.
The type of weld done here really was not a "Micro Tig Weld", even though Dan and I use Cheater lenses in our welding helments. Micro Tig welding is done under magnification single lens or microscope. WeldCraft makes a TIG torch 125 that is a "Micro Tig Torch" it is designed for 150 or less amps and comes in configurations of: 180* Pencil torch, and 45* 60*, and 90*. The cups are small so as on can weld inside tight locations, ie: pipe or manifolds. They can be used with .023",040, 1/6" and 3/32" tungsten(s).
Just for an example I use a Weld Craft WP20 torch, it can be used with the above listed tungsten diameters with an assortment of cups and gas lenses. This size torch can be used under a microscope to do "micro Welds". Now the type welder comes into play. Older welders would not strike an arc at lower amperages. Now days most if not all Micro Tig welding is done with an inverter type welder. The Inverter welder will strike and arc at a higher amperage and immediately reduce the amperage and hold a stable arc. With steel or stainless, Direct Current, a sharp pointed tungsten, good Argon shield, and pulser on can make very small puddles and thereby control both the heat input and weld bead size. With Tig welding one can also vary the weld penetration and the height of the filler material. With Tig welding one can weld two dissimilar thickness of the same metals. Weld two dissimilar metals. And weld with fillers of the same metals, higher strength fillers, or fillers with lower melting points. The positive thing about Tig Welding as one can control the heat, weld without contamination, porosity or spatter. The down side is it has a much lower weld deposit rate to stick or mig welding. Another factor is it takes a higher level of welding knowledge and skill level to do high quality tig welding. I would just like to know half of what Dan Armstrong knows about tig welding. I have been tig welding now for about 5 years and I have seen a dramatic improvement in my tig welding skills. I read/study and practice my tig skills all the time. I try to tig weld every week to improve on my skills. Welding is like riding a bicycle, once you learn the basics you will never forget them. However, Tig welding skills must be practiced over and over again. Every situation/job is different in some way. Certified Welders have to test and remain in the trade continuously. If they quit for more than 6 months they have to retest for their certification. There are book volumes of different welding certifications. There are many gunsmiths out their hanging out a shingle advertising tig welding services. Some are very good welders and some are not. I had Dan weld several bolts for me, before I had to confidence, knowledge and skill to weld them for myself. I listened to him intently many times and emulated his process.
Hope this has been at least amusing if not informative. I'll bet Dan will chime back in with corrections or added input.
Nat Lambeth
