Any metal workers here?

[Redlinerobert]

Can broken titanium be welded?  One of my Slant Bridge Megabass rods broke.   >

[Stasher1]

It can be done, but not by your general weld/fab shop.

http://www.thefabricator.com/article/arcwelding/titanium-you-can-weld-it

[Alpster]

What he said........probably better off replacing the grip.

Ronnie

[fourbizz]

It can, but getting it clean enough and properly shielded is REALLY tough.

[Redlinerobert]

Happened a couple weeks back...fishing with my F8 Super Destruction, I was making a cast and torqued the rod a bit too much while flinging the 9" Mission Fish....the slant bridge just snapped. The look on my face must have been priceless...My dad just about laughed his *** off. ;D ;D ;D ;D

[fishn hard]

I gota ask whats a rod like that cost?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

If you've got to ask, you probably can't afford one. 

I would have been in tears, Robert.  You may be able to find a specialty shop, but that will probably be really hard.  Like Alpster said, you'll probably be better off getting it replaced.

[fishn hard]

If you've got to ask, you probably can't afford one.

I would have been in tears, Robert. You may be able to find a specialty shop, but that will probably be really hard. Like Alpster said, you'll probably be better off getting it replaced.

Yea your rite Ill stick with my trashy Carrot Stixs   

[Micro]

Redline, PM RussBert.  He is a machinist and he does incredible work.  I've seen some of his reel and pistol work.  And the tools he has made.  If there is anyone on this board that could get it done, I'd put money on him.

[Catt]

The following fusion-welding processes are used for joining titanium and titanium alloys:

Gas-tungsten arc welding (GTAW)

Gas-metal arc welding (GMAW)

Plasma arc welding (PAW)

Electron-beam welding (EBW)

Laser-beam welding (LBW)

Friction welding (FRW)

Resistance welding (RW)

Shielding gases in welding titanium and titanium alloys are only argon and helium, and occasionally ? mixture of these two gases is used for shielding. Because it is more readily available and less costly, argon is more widely used.

[edbassmaster]

You might have to melt it down with flat line or a blue ball special.

[fourbizz]

What about having a couple pieces of aluminum machined and anodized, then bolting them together on either side of the bridge?

[Redlinerobert]

Megabass discontinued the F8 a couple years back. Not sure what they run now, but I imagine they're not cheap.

I'd like to see if I can get it fixed. If not then I suppose I can get the rear handle replaced.

Blue ball special? Dude....you're killin me. ;D ;D

[Stasher1]

The following fusion-welding processes are used for joining titanium and titanium alloys:

Gas-tungsten arc welding (GTAW)

Gas-metal arc welding (GMAW)

Plasma arc welding (PAW)

Electron-beam welding (EBW)

Laser-beam welding (LBW)

Friction welding (FRW)

Resistance welding (RW)

Shielding gases in welding titanium and titanium alloys are only argon and helium, and occasionally ? mixture of these two gases is used for shielding. Because it is more readily available and less costly, argon is more widely used.

Being a one-shot deal and not a production run, your choices are pretty much limited to the first three, with GTAW (Tig) being your best bet, imho.

GMAW (Mig) would require a dedicated machine and a spool of titanium wire, which you'd only find in a manufacturing environment where they're welding a lot of titanium but not enough to justify an auto or semi-auto machine.

PAW would be an option as most plasma setups I've seen (and used) are running on high-purity gas, but you'll probably have a hard time finding someone willing or able to do a single part due to the complexities setting up the welder, arc-voltage controller, and possibly sequence controller. I ran one for several years, and it was a real PITA to get running properly.

[South FLA]

Robert may want to give them a call about the quality control on those overpriced rods or just rethink you quality vs. price paradigm...all kidding aside yes you can weld titanium, I was obsessed with mountain biking few years back and owned an all titanium Titus mountain bike and broke the frame at a weld, local shop would not touch it, but had a marine welder that worked with titanium fix it and it came out great.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

You might have to melt it down with flat line or a blue ball special.

Sometimes I really wonder about you, Ed....

[Redlinerobert]

That's one of the quirks with Japanese rods. There basically is no warranty. Even the document the rod comes with states.... 'if you break it, sometimes stuff happens' ;D ;D

[K_Mac]

Redline in a former life I worked for several years at a research lab, where all sorts of prototype laboratory equipment was made and repaired in our shop. I did a lot of TIG welding at the time, but the guy who was the primary welder could work magic. If it could be welded, he could do it. I would bet that there are specialty shops in your area that can do the job for you. Done properly you will have to look closely to see where it was repaired. Good luck.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

'if you break it, sometimes nuts happens' ;D ;D

reminds me of an iPhone case I bought from Hong Kong that said "happy fun case made your protect to phones form dusties and screen that scratches"

[bass or bass ?]

Contact a large crown and bridge dental laboratory and ask to talk to the manager or owner. Explain your situation and ask them about laser welding your piece. Call several if you don't get a satisfactory answer from the first one. Laser welding in the lab is used to weld many types of dental alloys including titanium.

[Redlinerobert]

After much thought, I'm shipping the rod off to Matt to get it fixed. Thanks for all the offers of help guys, it's appreciated!

Here's a couple pics of the obliterated handle.

[Stasher1]

If you're going to play rough with your gear, you should invest in a complete set of these...

[=Matt 5.0=]

Wow. That's toast.

[Redlinerobert]

If you're going to play rough with your gear, you should invest in a complete set of these...

Those arms look like my arms! 

[fishn hard]

And how did you break that