TINY, TINY parts repair

[JBK]

If any of you have small, too small to weld with normal means broken parts, let me know. I am a jeweler and have in my shop a laser welder with argon shielding and I could weld the stinger back on to a mosquito if'n it was metal.
There are not a lot of these welders out there and I know a lot of salvageable parts get discarded, so give me a shout and if it can be fixed, I can do it. Small jobs I will do at little or no charge to forum members as long as it doesn't get out of hand. I normally charge a minimum of $25. I am not posting this to drum up business as I am pretty busy, but to simply offer my little bit of expertise in exchange for all that I am learning on this forum.

JB

[CanoeStream]

Good idea JB. Thank you for bringing this up!

[uwe]

Can potmetal be welded by your method? I can think of numerous door locks and handels etc. that are irreplaceable, or very expensive if still available.

[JBK]

Uwe:
I have had moderate success with pot metal. I would say probably 70% success. I can do stainless, aluminum and titanium just to name a few, although interestingly enough, I have not done a lot of aluminum as we don't use it alot in fine jewelry.

Some concoctions of pot metal just won't weld, as well as some forms of other metals. Seems weird, but some items just won't weld when another similar piece will. For instance, I have done several lugs on watches, where the band attaches. 9 out of ten times it welds fine, but that tenth one can just laugh at me.
Like I said, "If it can be welded, I can do it." Some just can't, but I'll sure as hell give it a try.
A door handle would be a large project as most of my welds are measured in millimeters, not inches. These welders run upwards of $35K and the welding is done under a 16x microscope, so l really could weld that bloodsuckers stinger back on...

JB

[JBK]

I forgot. If you need to ask questions or otherwise get ahold of me, my number is 218 326 5206 during the day.

JB

[blackboat]

JB, Real nice of you to offer. And I thought I could do fine work with the new TIG inverter, but wow, you're talking small. Would love to see one run someday.

Rob

[lewster]

Originally Posted by JBK

If any of you have small, too small to weld with normal means broken parts, let me know. I am a jeweler and have in my shop a laser welder with argon shielding and I could weld the stinger back on to a mosquito if'n it was metal.
There are not a lot of these welders out there and I know a lot of salvageable parts get discarded, so give me a shout and if it can be fixed, I can do it. Small jobs I will do at little or no charge to forum members as long as it doesn't get out of hand. I normally charge a minimum of $25. I am not posting this to drum up business as I am pretty busy, but to simply offer my little bit of expertise in exchange for all that I am learning on this forum.

JB

JBK,

Nice offer, thanks! I've played with those welders, but sure don't have the $35K + to buy one!! I'll sure keep it in mind!