Thread: MIG Welding Stainless

Hi,
I've got a Migatronic 180MXE which is currently setup for mild steel with BOC Argoshield Light. What do l need to do to weld stainless steel with it?

Pure Argon?
Stainless wire?
What else?

Are there various stainless wire grades depending on the parent metal grades to be joined?

Is welding stainless any different to welding mild steel? I heard that it warps more as it expands more than mild steel so suppose need to be careful of length of run.

Basically, if l can weld stainless successfully without a TIG, that will be great. l have a beer barrel project to turn it into a bbq (or something!)

Cheers

Argon +2% oxygen seems to be recommended for many S/steel jobs.Should be suitable for 304 or 316 stainless grades

Pure argon will be too cold I feel.

The welding procedure adopted should be one of lots of small tacks say 1 inch to 1.5" apart.


Small runs then moving to approx opposite side or diagonal opposite to balance and minimise heat inputs

an appropriate BOC gas would be Stainshield. https://boc.com.au/boc_sp/downloads/...art_Poster.pdf


Have you seen the cost of a roll of stainless wire?! might put you off, did me.

Originally Posted by martrix

Have you seen the cost of a roll of stainless wire?! might put you off, did me.

A mate has a roll of 316 (l think?) that l can have a lend of.
He got it from a leftover job at his work.

Trying to get some scrap offcuts to practice with before hitting the beer barrel.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Bad Fruit

A mate has a roll of 316 (l think?) that l can have a lend of.
He got it from a leftover job at his work.

Trying to get some scrap offcuts to practice with before hitting the beer barrel.

Cheers

awesome, make sure you post about your progress and maybe a few pics. My MIG is setup for steel and aluminium. I'll master ally before going on to stainless. Me going to stainless would mean 3 bottles to hire a year! $$$ Argoshield light (for steel), Pure Argon (ally) and then Stainshield for the stainless. Reckon it would cost over $400 a year.