Need a Tig welder near Austin that knows what he is doing

[Quick Karl]

Yes, this request is asking a lot.

I need a Tig welder that knows what he is doing. If you think this cannot be done, great, please save your opinions because I've had it done in the past and if a welder knows what he is doing it can be done safely.

I need the scope base holes in a butchered Mauser receiver Tig welded with the 3-1/2% nickel filler rods that I have.

This would need to be something I could wait to have done - i.e. I come by, you weld up the holes on the rear of the receiver where carburization is less critical, and, after I see the welds, I decide if we can proceed with the holes on the front of the receiver. A welder that knows what he is doing will understand completely. I am not looking for a freebee but I am also not a trust-fund-baby - its just a nice old Mauser that would make a great rifle if not for the butcher job done to it. New scope bases will cover the repair.

This is not a job for a pipeline welder or a guy building smokers.

If you are unwilling to undertake this unbelievably asking-a-lot mission, would you know anyone that could?

My sincerest humble gratitude in advance.

 

[StormWutzke]

Not even a little bit close and don't have my welder here. However if you run out of options once I get my welder moved you can send it to me. I am a 20 year+ welder, instructor, inspector and a knife maker who gets heat treatment and why you are using a high nickel rod. Depending on the depth the holes will need to be opened far enough that the arc can hit the bottom unless you just want them capped.

 

[Quick Karl]

Thank you for your kind offer. Unfortunately, and with respect, our society has become such that unless I can meet a person face to face, and wait for the work (this is a very small quick job), I could not take the chance of sending anything to anyone.

 

[StormWutzke]

Can't blame you there. Good luck.

 

[scsmith42]

There used to be an awesome welding shop in downtown Austin that did TIG welding. The owner taught me to TIG weld back in the early 1980's. They were right off of I35. That was 40 years ago though.

Today I'd refer you to BC TIG welding and Fabrication in Round Rock.

One question - why nickel rod? It is only typically used for welding cast iron.

 

[MilGunsmith]

I think that this is the rod that he wants to use:

BROWNELLS 3 1/2% NICKEL STEEL WELDING ROD | Brownells

Check out the BROWNELLS available Online at Brownells Today and many more Adhesives & Solder products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[Quick Karl]

It is the kind of filler rod I have and is, or was last time I looked, standard for gunsmith Tig welding old Mauser bolt handles and small receiver surface imperfections.

 

[Quick Karl]

Today I'd refer you to BC TIG welding and Fabrication in Round Rock.

Thank you - I will give them a holler!

 

[Quick Karl]

Either I never knew any better or ATF changed their rules - I always believed that having a bolt handle welded or a few blemishes filled on a receiver did not require a license from the ATF on the part of the welder. Out of curiosity I just read on the ATF website that a license is, in fact, required to do so.

Terrible news.

I wrote to BC Tig Welding and Fabrication and asked him if he knows any gunsmiths that know what they are doing with a Tig welder.

 

[72bwhite]

Bolt and bolt Handel no problem any one can work on it
the receiver well shop needs to have a ffl.
there is the you stay on site while it is worked on and take it with you
when you leave the site loop hole.

then there is the real world non ffl shops won’t touch gun work
not worth the potential legal issues.l

 

[scsmith42]

Is McBride's Guns store still open in Austin? They would certainly know of a qualified gunsmith.

 

[CPM2014]

Bolt and bolt Handel no problem any one can work on it
the receiver well shop needs to have a ffl.
there is the you stay on site while it is worked on and take it with you
when you leave the site loop hole.

then there is the real world non ffl shops won’t touch gun work
not worth the potential legal issues.l

I don’t believe you need an FFL to do the work if you don’t leave it in his possession. If you wait while the work is being done than anyone can do it

 

[Quick Karl]

Is McBride's Guns store still open in Austin? They would certainly know of a qualified gunsmith.

McBride's gunsmith has serious personality problems.

 

[Quick Karl]

I don’t believe you need an FFL to do the work if you don’t leave it in his possession. If you wait while the work is being done than anyone can do it

Incorrect.

Is a license needed to engage in the business of engraving, customizing, refinishing or repairing firearms? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Yes. A person conducting such activities as a business is considered to be a gunsmith within the definition of a dealer. [18 U.S.C. 921(a)(11) and (21); 27 CFR 478.11]

www.atf.gov

I never knew this. I guess it's true, ya learn something new every day.

I suppose that a slick lawyer could argue that if a welder did the work for free, he would not be "engaged in business" - but there is nothing I find more detestable than folks that are always looking for something for free.

 

[Rob F.]

Incorrect.

Is a license needed to engage in the business of engraving, customizing, refinishing or repairing firearms? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Yes. A person conducting such activities as a business is considered to be a gunsmith within the definition of a dealer. [18 U.S.C. 921(a)(11) and (21); 27 CFR 478.11]

www.atf.gov

I never knew this. I guess it's true, ya learn something new every day.

I suppose that a slick lawyer could argue that if a welder did the work for free, he would not be "engaged in business" - but there is nothing I find more detestable than folks that are always looking for something for free.

Was any work actually done your part if there is no invoice? Did you actually pay for any work if a $100 bill fell out of your pocket and the unscrupulos welder happened to pick it up?

 

[Hodge]

Incorrect.

Is a license needed to engage in the business of engraving, customizing, refinishing or repairing firearms? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Yes. A person conducting such activities as a business is considered to be a gunsmith within the definition of a dealer. [18 U.S.C. 921(a)(11) and (21); 27 CFR 478.11]

www.atf.gov

I never knew this. I guess it's true, ya learn something new every day.

I suppose that a slick lawyer could argue that if a welder did the work for free, he would not be "engaged in business" - but there is nothing I find more detestable than folks that are always looking for something for free.

If one pays for a service and or tips, the vendor is always willing to work with you and help out....... verses dodging you like the plague when being a tightwad.

Think ac out on the 4th of July. True story, tipped my ac guy well. He always is quick to answer my calls.

 

[Quick Karl]

"Slick" lawyers don't work for free and the Feds love forfeiture of assets.

You missed the point completely.

I would never ask anyone to break the law for my benefit.

Unless I can find an ATF licensed gunsmith that is also an extremely competent Tig welder, this project is dead and the receiver is a paper-weight.

 

[CPM2014]

You missed the point completely.

I would never ask anyone to break the law for my benefit.

Unless I can find an ATF licensed gunsmith that is also an extremely competent Tig welder, this project is dead and the receiver is a paper-weight.

Good luck with that. I have found in my experience that most modern “gunsmiths”, are far from being exceptional. Great welders (especially in the Austin area) can ask many time the amount of a gunsmith for their services.
There are a couple great guys in the area but they aren’t FFL holders. They are all servicing the semicon and medical industries.

 

[Quick Karl]

I have found in my experience that most modern “gunsmiths”, are far from being exceptional.

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[jmm03]

I wonder if you could find a competent welder that would make a house call?