Welding Stainless Steel

jims-terrano · 07-08-2019, 10:27

What I know or at least understand so far is that ordinary mild steel mig welding wire with co2 & 5% argon will weld stainless although obviously the weld will be prone to corrosion.
Can I use stainless wire with my current basic mig welder using my current gas mix so that I can make a little project and it will be strong and resistant to corrosion.

Thanks

solarman216 · 07-08-2019, 18:49

Yes you can no problem, but the weld will probably turn out black, but will clean up if you are fussy with a wire brush in a drill, Rick

jims-terrano · 07-08-2019, 19:00

Cheers Rick, a future project and means I can get rid of more kit from my garage

Wallace · 12-08-2019, 18:45

Is it a big job Jim? I have a Tig set and 316 rods.

jims-terrano · 12-08-2019, 19:11

Not right big, a few bits of angle and a section of tube. Want to make a drive on stand to hold a portable mast for my ham radio kit.
They can be made out of mild steel but I’ve seen so many rust despite being painted and as I’ll be sticking it in the car I’d rather not have a rusty bit of metal in there.

Wallace · 12-08-2019, 20:24

Does it need to be stainless, would alloy work?

jims-terrano · 12-08-2019, 22:18

Actually it would probably be better in some ways as it would be lighter just not considered it before.

Wallace · 12-08-2019, 22:31

I had a look online at pre-made stands, they don’t look difficult to make. Do you have the stainless to make it from?

jims-terrano · 12-08-2019, 23:16

No I was just going to nip up to metal supermarket when I had the time, no urgency at the moment.

Wallace · 12-08-2019, 23:19

Have a look at a few designs and I will see what materials I have or are laying about at work.

jims-terrano · 13-08-2019, 07:52

I have a friend with one so I’ll nip across to see him and take some measurements.

07-08-2019, 10:27	#1
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Welding Stainless Steel What I know or at least understand so far is that ordinary mild steel mig welding wire with co2 & 5% argon will weld stainless although obviously the weld will be prone to corrosion. Can I use stainless wire with my current basic mig welder using my current gas mix so that I can make a little project and it will be strong and resistant to corrosion. Thanks

07-08-2019, 18:49	#2
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	Yes you can no problem, but the weld will probably turn out black, but will clean up if you are fussy with a wire brush in a drill, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

07-08-2019, 19:00	#3
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Cheers Rick, a future project and means I can get rid of more kit from my garage

12-08-2019, 18:45	#4
Wallace Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Middlesex Vehicle: '97 Terrano II 2.4 Xtreme Posts: 368	Is it a big job Jim? I have a Tig set and 316 rods.

12-08-2019, 19:11	#5
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Not right big, a few bits of angle and a section of tube. Want to make a drive on stand to hold a portable mast for my ham radio kit. They can be made out of mild steel but I’ve seen so many rust despite being painted and as I’ll be sticking it in the car I’d rather not have a rusty bit of metal in there.

12-08-2019, 20:24	#6
Wallace Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Middlesex Vehicle: '97 Terrano II 2.4 Xtreme Posts: 368	Does it need to be stainless, would alloy work?

12-08-2019, 22:18	#7
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Actually it would probably be better in some ways as it would be lighter just not considered it before.

12-08-2019, 22:31	#8
Wallace Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Middlesex Vehicle: '97 Terrano II 2.4 Xtreme Posts: 368	I had a look online at pre-made stands, they don’t look difficult to make. Do you have the stainless to make it from?

12-08-2019, 23:16	#9
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	No I was just going to nip up to metal supermarket when I had the time, no urgency at the moment.

12-08-2019, 23:19	#10
Wallace Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Middlesex Vehicle: '97 Terrano II 2.4 Xtreme Posts: 368	Have a look at a few designs and I will see what materials I have or are laying about at work.

13-08-2019, 07:52	#11
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	I have a friend with one so I’ll nip across to see him and take some measurements.