Nickle Plated Handcuff Chain

When welding nickel plated chain, how would I touch up the plating...or minimize the damage near the weld?
I'm using a Hobart TR250HF with straight argon and thoriated tungsten. It shouldn't take more then 3 seconds each to fuse the links back together.

When I have welded cuff chains I usually make up a new link out of stainless steel. Then you can TIG weld the stainless and it polishes out to look very much like original nickel plated steel. I think the welds on plated steel will always be visible.

Hope this helps.

Steve

When welding nickel plated chain, how would I touch up the plating...or minimize the damage near the weld?
I'm using a Hobart TR250HF with straight argon and thoriated tungsten. It shouldn't take more then 3 seconds each to fuse the links back together.

3/16 anchor chain?

When welding nickel plated chain, how would I touch up the plating...or minimize the damage near the weld?
I'm using a Hobart TR250HF with straight argon and thoriated tungsten. It shouldn't take more then 3 seconds each to fuse the links back together.

Hello,
it is not possible to weld nickel plated steel. You have to remove the nickel where you want to connect it. If not, welding will remove nickel plating at once. You will get a partly nickel plated chain link without plating where the welding is. It is very difficult to make a new nickel plating, with "do it yourself plating sets" for home use it is nearly impossible. The best is a replacement by a stainless steel link. TIG-welding is best, but normal welding with electodes will do also when you use special electrodes for stainless steel. But with electrodes you have much more work to finisch surface. For both methods a single welding spot will do it, is easy to make and is strong enougth.

Best regards
Andy-58

When welding nickel plated chain, how would I touch up the plating...or minimize the damage near the weld?
I'm using a Hobart TR250HF with straight argon and thoriated tungsten. It shouldn't take more then 3 seconds each to fuse the links back together.

I agree with the others on this, and since appearance seems to be important, go with stainless steel. I don't know what size chain you have but I have reels of SS chain of 2 different sizes. I just cut a link off and weld it back together. I suggest switching to maybe 1/16" 2% Thoriated electrode and crank the amperage way down for starters in the 5-10 range. Watch the puddling, when it starts to puddle is when you need to stop as it will turn to a molten dripping mass quickly. I suggest experimenting first to get the settings and timing down. If you search Youtube, you can find a short clip of around 5 min. that shows how S&W's are made and how they weld there chain links together. When I cut my links, I don't use regular cable/chain cutters, I have one that shears the link at almost right angles. The other cutters pinch and leave a gap when bent back together. The less gap and filler metal if needed the best way to go. Fusion welding is the way to go if possible.

When welding nickel plated chain, how would I touch up the plating...or minimize the damage near the weld?
I'm using a Hobart TR250HF with straight argon and thoriated tungsten. It shouldn't take more then 3 seconds each to fuse the links back together.

grumbledamngrumble, some days you just can't see which box you are typing in......

When welding nickel plated chain, how would I touch up the plating...or minimize the damage near the weld?
I'm using a Hobart TR250HF with straight argon and thoriated tungsten. It shouldn't take more then 3 seconds each to fuse the links back together.

LOL! thanks Dorsen. I know the feeling!

1/16 red is what's in the torch now.
I have welded Ni plated parts and have sometimes been able to polish some of the blue out of the plating near the weldment. It would be nice if there was a simple touch up process. I did see the BBC clip and saw the welding process. Just a simple fuse. That same clip doesn't show the plating process, I noticed.

Stainless it is then! Thanks everyone.

When welding nickel plated chain, how would I touch up the plating...or minimize the damage near the weld?
I'm using a Hobart TR250HF with straight argon and thoriated tungsten. It shouldn't take more then 3 seconds each to fuse the links back together.

I have experimented with the Caswell plating touch up and it is a slow process and very time consuming with mixed results.