Can I MMAW 304 stainless to mild steel?

Post by **Moph** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:49 pm

As above and if so, what electrode? I need to fix a couple of 100x30x2mm grade 304 stainless hinge plates to my trailer and welding is going to be my easiest option by far. The hinges lay flat on the top edge of the trailer so they'll be horizontals.

Post by **awill4x4** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:00 pm

Either 309L or 309Mo are the recommended choice for welding stainless to mild steel but in reality you can easily get away with 308 or 316 for your intended use.
Regards Andrew.

Post by **lokka** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:44 pm

Yep either the 309L's or 316's will be the go tho i cant see the rods being cheap unless ya know someone in the trade who uses them as for size 2.5's would be ample for what ya doing ...

Post by **Moph** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:56 pm

Thanks guys. Will these do the job? $65 for a 2kg box ain't cheap but won't break my piggy bank either.

E316L-16 Welding Electrodes 2.5mm

Post by **lokka** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:07 am

Moph wrote:Thanks guys. Will these do the job? $65 for a 2kg box ain't cheap but won't break my piggy bank either.

E316L-16 Welding Electrodes 2.5mm

Yep they will be fine tho id go to a welding shop and get them you may be able to save some coin or go to a fab shop that dose staino work and see if they will sell ya a dozen or so ..
If ya was on this side of the paddock id give ya enough rods for a few coldies

Post by **Moph** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:27 am

Nah I'll go through WeldSmart. I bought my TIG welder and plasma cutter through them 2 months ago and they still have the argon reg on backorder ($65 worth) so I'll tell 'em to swap it for a box of electrodes and get my reg elsewhere.

And before you ask why I'm not using TIG for this job, I ain't hiring a bottle to do 8 x 100mm welds

Post by **lokka** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:41 am

Moph wrote:Nah I'll go through WeldSmart. I bought my TIG welder and plasma cutter through them 2 months ago and they still have the argon reg on backorder ($65 worth) so I'll tell 'em to swap it for a box of electrodes and get my reg elsewhere.

And before you ask why I'm not using TIG for this job, I ain't hiring a bottle to do 8 x 100mm welds

LOL tight ass i have a bottle of argon here all the time tho i have a good deal with my gas dealer ..

What sorta Tig have ya got i just had a look at there 200 amp AC/DC pulse units and they are a good price there a few hundred cheaper than the one i was looking at local'y ..

Post by **Moph** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:51 am

lokka wrote:LOL tight ass

yup!

I've got the WeldSmart 200A AC/DC TIG Pulse & MMA and a little SmartCut 40 plasma cutter. Paid $1600 for the welder (RRP $1800) and $750 for the cutter (RRP $850).

Looks like a reputable crowd - obviously been in their warehouse for years as the signage is pretty old and faded, and they have an 'electronics engineer' (techy) in house to do their warranty troubleshooting and repairs. Pretty happy with the gear thus far although I haven't tried the TIG out yet - got some mods coming up for my Zook that will have me renting a bottle though

Post by **lokka** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:11 am

Moph wrote:
lokka wrote:LOL tight ass
yup!

I've got the WeldSmart 200A AC/DC TIG Pulse & MMA and a little SmartCut 40 plasma cutter. Paid $1600 for the welder (RRP $1800) and $750 for the cutter (RRP $850).

Looks like a reputable crowd - obviously been in their warehouse for years as the signage is pretty old and faded, and they have an 'electronics engineer' (techy) in house to do their warranty troubleshooting and repairs. Pretty happy with the gear thus far although I haven't tried the TIG out yet - got some mods coming up for my Zook that will have me renting a bottle though

Man you have had it 2 months and havent perfected welding up a ally can

When i did my time at tafe as a sheety some of us perfected welding ally coke cans took some practice but was possible using mig wire and verry low amps

I like the pilot arc plasma and the same welder you have looks like il have to get intouch with them and see what price they can do as the tig over here the local shop wants $2300 for the same type of unit ..

Post by **Moph** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:46 am

You should be able to get them down a bit - I had no problem getting them to knock $200 off the welder and $100 off the plasma.

I did a welding course at TAFE last year and lurved TIG'ing there so I'm keen to start playing, but want some projects lined up and a decent garage (currently renting with no garage) before I get into it.

Post by **matthewK** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:34 pm

lokka wrote:Yep either the 309L's or 316's will be the go tho i cant see the rods being cheap unless ya know someone in the trade who uses them as for size 2.5's would be ample for what ya doing ...

i thought this higher grade of SS will crack welding to mild steel
i would of thought 304 SS would be better???

it been a while for me on the SS

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Can I MMAW 304 stainless to mild steel?

Can I MMAW 304 stainless to mild steel?

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