wire choice for welding to vise grips (mole grips)?

[tate]

I want to waste some time and money modifying a pair of vise grips for use in a bike stand. I attached a photo (I hope) that gives you an idea of what I'm after.

I'm looking for advice on what kind of mig wire to use for welding to this material (i.e., whatever kind of steel the vise grip is made of.. with whatever that coating is on the steel).

I also have access to a stick welder, so if you'd recommend a stick welder.. I'd be grateful for advice on electrode choice.

Backgroundwise, I've no idea what I'm doing. I took a stick welding class 10 years ago.. made a car-bumper, and haven't welded anything since. I just had to google 'ER70S-6' to remind myself what that meant.

I'm grateful for any advice. Thanks.

-Tate

 

[Bill Edwards]

I don't think anybody has had a problem using ordinary welding wire, I don't think the steel is anything special or particularly hard.

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

Make sure you grind any coating off where you're going to weld, that will avoid contaminations and dangerous fumes.

 

[Istayinalot]

Mild steel wire will be fine, as said above grind the coating off.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I know the jaws are much too easy to weld to, over my many years of welding I have had to hammer more than one pair of mole grips off the job when I welded too close.

The actual body finish varies a great deal though, some I have go rusty if a drop of rain looks at them, I should imagine those would weld with ease, others have laid outside for a week and no rust at all so must have a protective coating.

rtbcomp's advice is best, where you intend to weld give them a grind back just in case the one's you are using has the nasty coating on.

 

[tate]

Excellent, thank you all very much. I'll look into brushing/grinding the coating off whilst holding my breath. Your advice is appreciated.

 

[tate]

If you've time, I've a follow up question about this.. thing.. I'm trying to make:

Turns out I'll need to use a stick welder (as opposed to a MIG) due to clearance issues. I'm looking for advice on electrode choice. I think I've 1/16" 6013 and 1/8" 7018 available, but I'm willing to buy something else. I'll be using a pretty standard Lincoln AC-225.. that's all I know about the welder itself (doesn't belong to me).

I'm worried about a particular weld. I'm sticking a piece of 1/8 inch angle iron to 1/8 inch flat stock (i.e., the jaws of the vise grip).. but I want to weld the angle iron along its elbow. The part is shown in the photo's below. In the photo, I've hoseclamped two pieces of angle iron to an aluminium tube, and I'm holding the whole rig in the jaws of the vise grips I want to weld the angle iron to (note - I do not want to weld anything to the tube.. the tube is a bicycle seat post). Because of the acute angle at the joint, especially from the backside, I'm worried about getting metal down in the seam. Should I go in with a skinnier rod first, then do another pass with a thicker rod? Or am I worrying too much? Again, I'm grateful for any help.

 

[Bear]

Assuming its all mild steel then i cant see any issue using 6013's although someone may come along soon with more experience and tell me im wrong

 

[outofthefire]

You're definitely worrying way too much, just mig it all. I have modified loads of old c grips by cutting off one jaw and welding a bolt on washer in its place to make bench clamps. Just put a tack at either end then a couple of inch stitches in the v.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Why don't you grind a bit off the end of the jaws so that they end at the V of the angle iron and you will have an easy joint to weld, and will be able to MIG it if that's what you are more comfortable with.

 

[tate]

All good suggestions, thank you. I'll starting thinking less and give it a go.