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Welding nickel plated steel tubing

July 28, 2008

Hi there,

I am trying to weld two nickel plated steel square frames together, basically, weld the small frame to the large frame, so the small frame sits inside the large frame.

the large frame is built with 1.5" square tubing and the small frame is built with 0.5" square tubing. Both frames are nickel plated.

I have a millermatic 140 autoset MIG welder and would like to weld these 2 pieces together.

I would like to know:

1. is this even possible? (I actually welded these 2 pieces together, and took it to a plating shop. the guy at the stop told me that it's not good to plate them after the weld because the surface between the large frame and the small frame will not get plated, since the surface will not be plated as the liquid will not get into it, the rust will come out and starts to show; therefore, I was told to take them to the shop "un-welded" and assemble them after the parts are plated.)
2. if I can weld them together, should I be using a stainless steel wire? or copper steel wire? (the square tubes are made of carbon steel and are plated)
3. I do not really care about the look of the weld as the weld will be done at the bottom of the frame and will not show. I would like to know if the weld will damage the nickel plating at the weld and the surrounding area? and will the weld be strong enough?

Tommy Russ
welder - Canada

I would use the equivalent of 400 nickel weld wire. Yes there will be some damage to the nickel, but if it is well done and is out of sight, I think that you will be OK.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
July 31, 2008