Thread: Welding Chrome-coated cast socket to steel?

The socket should be forged steel rather than cast iron. Chrome plate does not provide a good base to weld to, and there is normally a layer of copper or nickel between the chrome and the steel which can also contaminate the weld. Even if the weld was succsessfull, the socket would be useless for fong term future use as it would have lost its temper in the welding process.

If its a decent socket set, a possible alternative might be to get a cheap socket extension to match, cut it and grind off the chrome, and weld your fitment to that. Then you can plug the modded extension into the socket to do the task, and retain the socket itself in original condition.

yeah, you can do it, go for it.if it breaks off weld it back on.

yes you can do it no problems,grind off chrome and weld it up mate,shame to do it to a good socket though,i buy $12 sockets from local speed shop in 24 and 26 mm size and weld them to 25mm pipe 1100mm long then use a 800 mm "T" handle and lay into them on 16mm high tensile bolts,never had a problem yet.

I really doubt that cast iron would be chromed over?
Good sockets will probably be a chrome vanadium alloy. A good stainless steel electrode will weld it. It would be a really nasty and cheap socket set to be of cast iron.
Specials like magna 303's,Eutectics or the like, squirreled away for such purposes,are great this type of work.The rod strikes easily, wets well,and is strong enough to do the job.

If not staincraft works fairly well.

To Id the metal, grind it and observe the sparks.

Cast iron sparks are a deep red with a short spray sprig of under 200mm as oppossed to steel that is more yellow and much longer.
If no option other than to use mig don't use short arc, go with a spray setting to get the tack to wet in (to blend in smoothly at the parent metal to weld interface.)

Grahame

We have just had 3 ratchets in a month brake from abuse by one prick ....I mean coworker, we use 14mm allan head sockets to do/undo our vices on the mills .....we only had 2 ratchets in the shop and when one broke they welded it up then stole MINE at the bosses request!!!!!!!!! latter the boss got us 4 new ratchets and sockets THEN today I found one of the NEW ratchets welded up!!!!!

As far as welding the socket goes you shouldn't have much trouble and they do last a fair while just dont abuse it, a square on the bar to fit the end of the socket wouldn't hurt

BH....ya just cant get good help these days.

Why are these idiots using ratchets to do that sort of work, why do they not use a breaker bar.....like $20 at any half decent auto shop.

The other thing you can get is heavy duty stand alone ratchets......ya just plug it in betwen your breaker bar and the socket.

Wail on the socket with the breaker bar till the bolt is cracked then put the HD ratchet in the line for that long hard unscrew.

The cheap sockets will not be cast iron they will be drop forged high carbon steel, the better stuff will be as previoulsy stated chrome vanadium steel that too will be drop forged.

If ya gona "wail upon" a socket why are you not using impact sockets.....even the cheap sets are way stronger than anything with chrome on it.

Any way...what is the reason for the original posters butchery, it might help if we know why.

Remember even when you are butchering something there is a right way and a wrong way.

cheers

G,day .Well I just stick welded a mild steel rod to a socket yesterday . The crome just burns straight off and just welds as normal - never had any problems . If you have plenty of clearance to get it on you can make the socket a lot stronger by welding a tight fitting pipe or collar over it

Thanks for all the advice, I'll give it a go.

Malb - good idea about the socket extension (in this case it won't work because I need the whole thing to be hollow - I'll cut off the top of the socket and weld on a hollow mild steel tube of similar diameter so that the threaded rod can some up inside, but I'll keep your trick up my sleeve for another occassison)

Kraits - I like your approach.

Danielhobby - the socket was a freebie from a incomplete set somebody gave me (not my good ones)

Grahame - Very technical stuff, you obviously know a lot about this area. The spark test is a good one in helping to identify the material - I'll remember that one.

newguy_90 - I hope you have a better day at work tomorrow!

Soundman - I'm too tight to pay for a Makita spare part for a router - the fine depth adjustment wind down 'knob' - so I thought I would fabricate one out of a few bits and pieces already in my workshop.

Mathuranatha - good idea to fit a pipe over the socket instead of welding to the socket

I have MIG welded mild steel to sockets and spanners many many times and it seems to work very well.

I never weld to any of my good sockets though!

I do grind off the chrome though.

I made a special tool for adjusting the camber and caster in HQ to WB Holdens and it's lasted for ages.

Cheers

Justin