All of this advice is good, and of course well intended.
However, in the real world, if its to make a practical and functional exhaust, that doesnt have to look beautiful, and needs to be relatively sensible cost I'd say -
MIG weld it, like all production exhausts.
Argoshield light will be perfectly fine. Its used in mass production for high volume cars to weld exhausts made from 409 stainless, which was developed for the exhaust industry.
You will have less issues with fracturing etc if you use 409 stainless rather than 304.
If its even less important that it stays pretty and lasts long term, use mild steel wire. I've done it many times to stainless parts, couldnt give any guarantees about life, or recall how long I've had a vehicle done this way, but I've never had a problem.
If you want to make a beautiful exhaust for a showcar spend a huge amount of time on fitup, learn TIG and buy a machine, use the correct gas, have the hassle of backpurging, then get polishing.
Just my thoughts for practical real world, if not perfectly correct.
However, in the real world, if its to make a practical and functional exhaust, that doesnt have to look beautiful, and needs to be relatively sensible cost I'd say -
MIG weld it, like all production exhausts.
Argoshield light will be perfectly fine. Its used in mass production for high volume cars to weld exhausts made from 409 stainless, which was developed for the exhaust industry.
You will have less issues with fracturing etc if you use 409 stainless rather than 304.
If its even less important that it stays pretty and lasts long term, use mild steel wire. I've done it many times to stainless parts, couldnt give any guarantees about life, or recall how long I've had a vehicle done this way, but I've never had a problem.
If you want to make a beautiful exhaust for a showcar spend a huge amount of time on fitup, learn TIG and buy a machine, use the correct gas, have the hassle of backpurging, then get polishing.
Just my thoughts for practical real world, if not perfectly correct.