Not Firebird specific question but am making a Pontiac seal groove machining tool. I am not a welder, anyone know, can high speed steel be welded? Can HSS be welded to mild steel?
Thanks,
Al

Here is some info, although not specific, about HSS:

Ultra High Strength Steel



This information provides repair recommendations and general guidelines for steel classified as Ultra High Strength Steel, also know as UHSS. This type of steel normally has a tensile strength greater than 700 MPa.



This includes the common steel names of:

•Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS)

•Martensitic Steel (MS)

•Press Hardened Steel ( PHS)

•Boron Steel



General Motors recommends the following when repairing or replacing this type of steel during collision repair.



Important:

•Repair of this type of steel is not recommended.

•This type of steel should be replaced only, at factory joints. Sectioning or partial replacement is not recommended.

•The use of heat to repair damage is not recommended for this type of steel.

•Stitch Welding is not recommended for this type of steel.

•This type of steel can not be used as a backing reinforcement or a sleeve for a sectioning joint.



Recommended Repairs:

•Squeeze Resistance Spot Welding can be used to replace factory spot welds, where applicable.

•MIG plug welding can be used to replace factory spot welds.

•MIG Brazing can be used to replace factory spot welds.

good morning Al, almost all cars made today have hss welded to mild steel using Jeffs listed reccomendations. The point to plug and spot welding is to keep the heat affected zone small, as soon as you heat most of these steels beyond their critical temperature ( approx 1600 F) then they loose their high strength charecteristics. Just have to keep the heat away from any important areas.

Thanks guys,
I was referring to HSS, high speed steel, used in cutting tools and tool bits. Twist drills, milling machines, lathes etc. I know it can withstand high temps which makes it superior to high carbon steel for cutting metals but I don't know how this affects it's weld-ability. I want to shape a tool bit similar to the bottom of the seal groove then attach it to a boring bar in a bar head and turn it to re-machine my seal groove. If it can be welded it will save me the effort to design another attachment method.

I would think there is no way it will weld without cracking. Usually they braze tool steels.

Just did a Google search of "welding high speed steel" and got several pages of answers, techniques, and alternatives from people who have done it...

It's all over my head, but if you do the same search you'll probably find your answers.

Thank you once again,
Trouble with the net is one guy says one thing another says different. I've decided to redirect from welding and fabricate a cutting tool holder for the boring bar head.