Abstract: A method of cladding a base plate of carbon steel, including the steps of plating by electroless deposition the faying surface of the plate slab, positioning a cladding plate, on the the plated faying surface, welding both plates together at three edges to form a seal, attaching a gas reservoir at the fourth side thus forming a sealed subassembly, evacuating the space formed in the subassembly between the two plates of water vapor and oxygen, heating the subassembly to about 1650.degree. to 2100.degree. F. thereby melting the bonding metal alloy, and hot rolling the heated assembly to metallically bond the cladding plate to the steel plate by means of the mechanism of liquid interface diffusion bonding.

Abstract: An improved welding torch holder including a flat longitudinal member having clamping means to hold a welding torch, a block member having an arm to attach to a gantry or welding fixture, the block member having defined internally therein a passageway for slidably receiving the longitudinal member therethrough, means cooperating with said block member and said longitudinal member to provide reciprocation therebetween, a friction bar interposed in said passageway between said longitudinal member and said block member, means carried by the block member to urge the friction bar against one surface of the longitudinal member to cause secure retention of the longitudinal member at any desired position.