When it comes to welding, the materials you work with are very important. Everyone knows that you can weld metals like cast iron, steel, and aluminum. But what about gold? Can you weld gold?
You can weld gold. TIG welding gives you a much nicer result, and the finished product looks very premium. The seams are not noticeable at all. Even jewelry makers and metal fabricators prefer this method.
Welding gold is not the same as working with other metals like steel, though. There are some nuances you need to take into account. Some special equipment is also needed. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Would You Need To Weld Gold?
No, welders are not welding gold because they have way too much of it and just want to burn valuable metals. There are some actual practical reasons why someone might want to weld gold. It is most likely for some kind of fabrication or jewelry repair. Jewelry is expensive and, more importantly, it has sentimental value. So, repairs are common.
Resizing
This is, hands down, one of the most common jobs. The husband buys a gorgeous gold ring for his wife, but oops, it does not fit. So, what now? Is all the money gone down the drain? Thankfully, no!
Welders can resize jewelry with such precision that the change is virtually impossible to notice with the naked eye. TIG welding can be used. Metals can be added, and the sections can be hammered down.
Re-tipping
In jewelry, you will notice that there are prongs that hold the gemstones together. You can use TIG welding techniques to rebuild those prongs.
They can be completely rebuilt to look like the original. One of the best things is that this process is pretty durable and results in a high-quality finished product.
Repairing Cracks
Repairing cracks uses a similar process to resizing. Welders can fill in negative spaces in gold jewelry, like cracks or small nicks.
If you are wondering how the finished product will look, do not worry. The result looks very high-quality and comes out practically flawless.
Repairing Casting Defects
Sometimes, casting defects can happen. That is a possibility that everyone has to accept. But when something does come out of the cast with unsatisfactory results, welders can use the right tools and techniques.
When working with gold, if there is a defect like a void or something, welders can go in and fill those voids in to make the whole thing much smoother and more polished.
Can You Weld Gold?
Yes, you can! Everyone knows that gold is a precious metal. Metal fabricators that work with gold use TIG welding as their primary technique. Even jewelry makers. There are tons of reasons for this.
When it comes to working with something like gold, you would want a process that gives you the highest quality finish.
TIG welding may be the best way:
1. Produces A Cleaner Bond
It produces a clean bond. The seam is virtually unnoticeable. This makes the product look much nicer and more premium. If you were to buy an expensive piece of gold jewelry, you would not want ungodly seams on it, would you?
2. Produces The Strongest Bond
This process can be used to reinforce certain areas. Besides, welding like this will give you a much stronger bond in general. That is why many professionals swear by it.
3. Makes Working With Intricate Processes Easier
Elements of a piece can be polished and finished before assembly. So, that means working with very intricate pieces becomes much easier since those areas would not have been all that easily accessible.
Equipment Needed To Weld Gold
Welding gold is a more delicate process compared to traditional metals like steel or iron. That is why having the right equipment is very necessary. Some of the tools out there are actually for more commercial-scale operations. But here are some particular things you will need when wanting to work with gold:
The Machine
This one is a bit of a no-brainer. You can’t weld without the proper welding equipment, can you? Modern welding machines give you a lot of flexibility and also work awesome without chugging a ton of power.
But for welding gold, your machine needs to have some key features. One essential feature is the pulse function. Some welding jobs involving gold will need you to have a machine that has a low pulse.
Having a pulse function will help you set it up just right so you do not damage the material. On the other hand, other projects may require you to have a high pulse.
The other thing is having an inverter-type machine. This is mostly for your convenience. It will allow you to plug the machine into a normal 120V wall outlet. Your machine will convert the AC electricity to DC so that your machine can use it.
Built-in transformers will give you the amount of power you need to work on metals like gold and even silver.
Electrode
Gold welding can get pretty intricate at times. That is why you need to have a micro-torch that is fitted with a 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm electrode.
Another thing to note is that the electrode should extend ¼” – 1/3″ past the end of the ceramic shielding gas cone. What this will do is give you good maneuverability.
Flexible Rubber Cables
A lot of the time, these machines come with really rigid and stiff cables. They will hamper your mobility. When you are working on something delicate or intricate, having all the freehand movement you can get will help you not only do a better job but do it comfortably.
So, look for a welding machine that does have a flexible rubber cable. Of course, the cable does need to be durable as well.
Shielding Glass
Pure Argon is honestly the best choice when it comes to shielding glass. I would advise against any sort of argon mixture. Since you will be using a smaller torch and electrode, this bit is pretty important.
You need to make sure that argon delivery is less than 5 cubic feet/1 hr. This ensures that the ceramic shield is stable without being interrupted.
Sharp Tungsten Electrode Tip
When it comes to working with gold, the electrode TIG welding tips should be very fine points. I recommend one that is 2.5 to 3 times the diameter of the electrode itself.
If you have different metals and thicknesses, you might need to sharpen them accordingly too! Suiting the equipment for your workpiece is important here.
Safety Precautions For Gold Welding
Before running out and getting all excited after knowing that you can weld gold, there are some safety precautions you need to take.
This step will ensure that you keep your work process and the location safe. Remember, when working with any kind of heavy or dangerous tool, safety should be your number one priority.
Proper Protection
This bit is one of the most basic things you need to take care of. Always, and I mean always, wear proper eye protection, gloves, and shoes. You will be dealing with heavy machinery and also high temperatures.
You do not want to burn your skin. And if something were to splash into you, that would be even more dangerous.
Ventilation
While many say that proper gear is the most important thing, another thing that sometimes gets missed is ventilation. Some metals can give off harmful fumes and vapors.
Having proper ventilation in your workplace can be a lifesaver. So, always make sure that the windows are open and the ventilation is working perfectly.
Wrapping Up
So, can you weld gold? The answer is a resounding yes. TIG welding is best for it since it has a lot of benefits. You do not miss out on the strength of the bond, and the seams are very hard to notice too.
