If one elects to weld up a set of lower lugs using a mig welder, what grade, name, number of wire would one use.
pistolwrench may be able to be specific but some high quality stainless if stainless match barrel.
I started welding in 1965, been to some of top level training institutions, and still own five machines. I would not tackle a barrel with a MIG machine. TIG pulse is your friend. Having said that, I bend over backwards to avoid welding on a barrel. I did one several months ago, and believe I posted pics of the process on 1911pro.com, if you'd like to do a search. It had a happy ending.:) Wes Lorenz is a member there, and he is a very accomplished aerospace welder who can provide very in-depth info. Cracks at or near the link pin hole are one of the major hazards, so preheat/post heat/heat sinks and avoiding excessive admixture is a concern.
Another idea would be to silver solder the upper lugs, common practice a while back.
I don't know if silver-soldering the upper lugs was at all common. I have done it, a long time ago at the specific request of another smiff. Actually I silver-soldered two shims at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock position in the bottom of the first slot.
I was concerned about internal scaling of the bore more than the effect on the metallurgy. The smith was quite pleased and reported very good results.
This was long before the Kart E-Z fit concept was introduced.
What was somewhat common, was silver-soldering a piece to the inside of the ejection port to act as a positive stop for vertical displacement of the barrel. This was done by Swenson, Heinie and a few of the even earlier masters.
This was frequently referred to as a 'barrel positioner'.
Anderson3754
10-18-2011
Not being a welder I'm glad you said mig is the wrong way to go about it. The person I had in mine I believe also does tig. He's done very nice work for me in the past on my 2 street cars.
Anyways back to the point. Been studying barrel fitting for several yrs and thought I would weld up a couple of barrels I have around here and try my hand at fitting them up.
I hate to go buy a couple of new ones to practice on. Being book smart about a topic can be a dangerous thing.
I think I'm gonna skip this welding of barrels based on the drawbacks you mentioned, and get a couple of the Kart EZ-fit. I suppose I could just silver solder the barrels I have to practice on, I have no intentions of shooting them. I'm not in a hurry for these projects, just something to play with and study over the winter months.
I appreciate your input, thanks again
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Another idea would be to silver solder the upper lugs
Yes that thought crossed my mind also. These two barrels in question would just be slave barrels, something to practice on.
Just so I understand it right! Is the lower lugs cracked... or do you just want them oversized?
If the silver soldering of the upper lugs is considered in order to sandwich the barrel to a tighter fit, you may run out of allignment with the firing pin hole in the slide. Often times, Tig welding isn't even worth it these days, with all these drop in/full fit barrels to choose from. Well, just a thought
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Just so I understand it right! Is the lower lugs cracked
No, no, the lower lugs are not cracked. Actually their just factory barrels nothing wrong with them. I just had an evil thought of welding them up oversize to practice fitting them before trying to fit a match grade barrel. But I can see now the welding is not going to be practical. Probably the better way to start this learning process is going to be, starting with the Kart EZ fit. Always been fascinated with barrel fitting, timing etc, so i thought this winter would be a good time to learn.
Way back in the 1960s (I remember those days vividly:):) ) a smith named Cassius Gustin received a patent for drilling and tapping the slide for two set screws at 10 & 2 oclock. I have seen slides that received this modification.
Our innovation and desire to achieve continues to evolve. So, the next time some one says, "It's a solution looking for a problem", about some innovative thought or procedure, be governed accordingly...
Is it possible I saw an old Aristocrat sight rib with 2 set screws at 10 & 2 o'clock? (above the barrel hood)