Welding Tips and Tricks

I am not a welder. I am looking for advice for a process that we are looking to make a change in. We make brass instruments and need to seam thin brass sheet to form bells. Currently I torch braze(natural gas&compressed air w/flux applied) the sheets in a butt seam and it works Fine, but I’m looking for more refined way to get a more consistent seam.

We use c260 brass sheet in different thicknesses (.016 in , .020in, 025in)

I have heard rumors of other instrument manufacturers tig brazing, or even fusion welding seams with a tig welder. But our industry isn’t too open with processes.

I’m looking for advice on whether this is worth investing in, what machines and Setups I should look at purchasing. And even what gas mix would be best suited.

My budget on a kit is around $2,000, but flexible. I’m really just looking for the right fit.

Thanks for any input,
Miles O’Malley
O’Malley Brass Instruments

With those gauges you've referenced I'd be curious about going down the rabbit hole of handheld laser welders that keep popping up in ads for me.

Sorry I can't remember any brands or what not but they seam to do a decent job with thinner guage metals and the weld looks decent.

Might be worth a Google 'handheld laser welder'

Try having a conversation with K-tig.
They might not have a solution in that price bracket but I would be confident that they would be easier to talk to about suitable processes than your industry appears to be. It may help.