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Welding stainless steel with Mig

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:31 pm
by 80's_delirious
I need to weld some stainless steel tube, coz it doesnt really need to look pretty I was thinking I will use a mig.

Im assuming you can weld stainless steel with a Mig using stainless wire?

just after some tips, what gas is the go? is it any different to welding mild steel?

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:59 pm
by ssfabricator
argon is your cheapest option will do what you want it to do give the liner a good blow out if youve been using ms

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:27 pm
by v6hilux
ArgoShield, or if you know where to get CO2 could also work if it's a small job.

Here is something I welded together with MS wire to SS, including the washers on the rod. Would have been out in the weather for more than 10 years as well. The welds did get surface rust, but haven't failed.

Image

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 9:05 am
by Ice
this is one process you do not want to breath the fumes

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:22 am
by matthewK
ah dont be soft get into it mate,

you can use normal migshield when nothing else is around
but argo or blue shield probly better

what grade stainless are you welding with?
if it good high grade use 316 wire
or lower grade 309 wire also use this wire if your welding mild steel to stainless just a bit of info for ya there

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:35 am
by droopypete
v6hilux wrote:ArgoShield, or if you know where to get CO2 could also work if it's a small job.

Here is something I welded together with MS wire to SS, including the washers on the rod. Would have been out in the weather for more than 10 years as well. The welds did get surface rust, but haven't failed.

Image
Looks like a spit to me :armsup:

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 12:34 pm
by v6hilux
droopypete wrote:Looks like a spit to me :armsup:
Yep, one I made a long time ago. It's in bits now. The 44 rusted away.

Image

Image

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 12:36 pm
by thehanko
mmmmm spit roast dribble dribble

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 1:14 pm
by droopypete
v6hilux wrote: Yep, one I made a long time ago. It's in bits now. The 44 rusted away.
Sound like it is time to build another with a beer keg.
Peter.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 3:05 pm
by thehanko
Can I help drink the keg, then eat the first roast? :P

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 9:09 pm
by 80's_delirious
Mmmmmm spit roasted pork!! (wipes large amounts of homer simpson type drool from chin)




















Hey!! this thread was about welding! :lol: :lol:

Nasty fumes hey! I guess thats coz of the chromium in SS?

sounds like 309 wire will be the go for general purpose stainless fabrication then, not high grade and doesnt need to be too pretty, just dont want it to rust.
cheers guys

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:45 pm
by zagan
Treat it the same deal as mild steel.

You can use mild steel wire but it'll rust and would look nicer with SS wire.

Less splatter with SS even when using mild steel wire.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:49 pm
by ssfabricator
309 is not for gen purpose ss welding 304 is

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:52 pm
by ssfabricator
i have a roll of 316l wire you can borrow if ya dont wont to buy a roll

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 11:10 pm
by 80's_delirious
thanks for the offer champ.
Ill keep it in mind.

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 9:53 am
by Gwagensteve
I've welded stainless fine with mild steel wire and gas. Obviously the weld will rust, but otherwise it looks fine.

Steve.