Weld Hanging Garden Wire Baskets
Datetime:2013-04-11 Hits:
Welded or soldered hanging garden wire baskets make an excellent addition to any porch or patio area. Metal baskets are generally quite durable, but if you have a seam or two that is separating on your hanging garden wire basket, it is easy to repair. Since wire garden baskets do not need to support much weight, true oxyacetylene welding is not necessary to complete this job. You can weld a broken hanging garden wire basket with solder and a butane or propane torch.
Instructions
1
Clean the wire pieces on the hanging garden basket that need to be re-joined. Rub both parts of the seam with an emery cloth until the metal becomes shiny.
2
Paint both parts of the seam with a coat of liquid flux. This will further clean the metal and allow the solder to form a strong bond.
3
Clamp the fluxed seam in place and put on a pair of heat-resistant gloves.
4
Place a small amount of solder on the tip of a soldering iron, and heat the iron. As soon as the solder begins to melt, dab the solder into the seam with the tip of the iron. Unplug the iron and set it aside on a metal rack or plate.
5
Heat the wires adjacent to the seam with a propane or butane torch. Move the flame back and forth along the wires, but do not heat the solder directly. When the solder changes color and flows into the seam, remove the heat.
6
Allow the hanging garden wire basket to cool before unclamping.
