Welding chromoly insert to mild steel

[zith]

I picked up some tube inserts quite a while back with the intention of building longarms. I'm finally getting around to doing it and found out the tube inserts I bought are made from chromoly. I don't have any experience with chromoly other than what I've read online, so this raises a few questions. Since it's suspension and my safety is dependent on this weld I'm not about to cut corners. I own and have been doing a lot of work with an AC arc welder.

1) Is there any way to weld the chromoly insert to mild steel DOM tube safely?
2) Is there any way to weld these on with the arc welder I've got?

I may be able to con someone with a TIG into helping me if that's the 'right' way to do this. Otherwise, I may buy the right inserts so I can throw them on with the arc and get rid of these chromoly ones.

Thanks!

 

[tealcherokee]

theres nothing special about welding crmo to mild

 

[Goatman]

You can weld them up with what you have......nothing special. To be safe, if you choose, I'd stick the end of the tube in dirt or kitty litter or something to slow the cooling of the metal, otherwise you just weld them up. Be sure to drill the tube and do a couple of rosette welds.

 

[zith]

Hrmm, interesting. I had a buddy who welded up the same inserts I've got and had them pull loose, thought it might be due to material and not his welding skills.
I like the idea of a couple rosette welds, and I might as well slow the cooling just to get the best weld possible.
Should I be using any type of special rod? I was thinking of using 7014 and dial the amperage up to get the best penetration possible.

 

[tealcherokee]

i do it w/ a mig usually. 6013 would work as well

 

[RWKHausSupply]

I have welded chromoly tube to mild steel inserts about a dozen times and never treated it any differently then reg 1020 DOM, using a mig with flux core wire even.. Never did any rosette welds or special cooling, not to say that the rosette weld would not make a stronger asembly. Never had a trackbar pull out or comtrol arm pull apart. I will say that the chromoly welds Much nicer and flows nicer, at least thats what it seamed like.

 

[Goatman]

Hrmm, interesting. I had a buddy who welded up the same inserts I've got and had them pull loose, thought it might be due to material and not his welding skills.
I like the idea of a couple rosette welds, and I might as well slow the cooling just to get the best weld possible.
Should I be using any type of special rod? I was thinking of using 7014 and dial the amperage up to get the best penetration possible.

I like taking all precautions, since I've welded up links on the trail a few times with welded up inserts that have come out when the weld broke........on other's rigs, with experienced welders. It happens. I would always do rossette welds, that's just good fabricating practice.