New to Welding :D (welding stainless)

[danny_lad]

Hey Guys,

Im looking for some advice really im currently Building a Big turbo on my Forged Leon cupra R..But im wanting to make my own Downpipe (exhaust) to join to my 2.75 Catback exhaust...

Now i have a few friends (mechanic And a Vag Tuner) that have access to Mig welders but what im asking is that ive never welded at all but i have a rough idea how to (tutorials ect)...

Can Mig Weld Stainless Steel 3'' tube? Or will it have to be Tig welded? Im not fussed about how the Welds look as i can grind them smooth and plus most of the pipe will be Heatwrapped so nothing is seen...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

 

[madkayaker]

stainless can be welded just fine with a mig useing stainless wire and argon. its pritty much the same as welding mild steel

 

[Windy Miller]

Hey Guys,

Im looking for some advice really im currently Building a Big turbo on my Forged Leon cupra R..But im wanting to make my own Downpipe (exhaust) to join to my 2.75 Catback exhaust...

Now i have a few friends (mechanic And a Vag Tuner) that have access to Mig welders but what im asking is that ive never welded at all but i have a rough idea how to (tutorials ect)...

Can Mig Weld Stainless Steel 3'' tube? Or will it have to be Tig welded? Im not fussed about how the Welds look as i can grind them smooth and plus most of the pipe will be Heatwrapped so nothing is seen...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

I'd quite fancy that job!

Welcome by the way!

 

[danny_lad]

Thanks guys

Now im a newbie with all of this but can a spool mig work or does it need Argon with it...My mechanic has a Spool mig ac/dc thats for sure..

 

[Paul.]

Pure argon is not really the best gas for migging Stainless, there are proper mig gases available which are helium based, for an exhaust type thicknesses BOC stainshield light, or its equivalent would be the first choice, 85% helium 1.5% oxygen and the balance is argon, but its very expensive and for a one off job will not be cost effective at all, a better alternative to pure argon for a one of job would be argoshield light found in most garages and welding shops, which has about 5%C02 and a touch of oxygen, the welds will come out black, and it will be a bit spattery to use, but will be fine for an exhaust.
Select a wire to suit the material grade you are welding, more info needed there.
Depending on the quality of job you are looking for, you may be better off just tacking it up with the mig, then taking it to someone with a tig set to finish it off.

 

[danny_lad]

Thanks Paul

I was thinking tacking the downpipe and taking it to my Work to have it done (We have a place that we use to make Steel shuttering/gates ect)..

Im wondering with the exhaust and the 900cc temps would mild steel be better as it is also cheap....

 

[Omniata]

.... BOC stainshield light, or its equivalent would be the first choice, 85% helium 1.5% oxygen and the balance is argon, but its very expensive and for a one off job will not be cost effective at all,.....

Not too sure on pricing but Air-Products Inomaxx 2 might be cheaper, it's 98% Argon and 2% CO2, it's designed for stainless?

 

[Paul.]

Not too sure on pricing but Air-Products Inomaxx 2 might be cheaper, it's 98% Argon and 2% CO2, it's designed for stainless?

Yes that would do it as well, I used to use it with a pulsed mig I had, as I recall a bit cheaper than stainshield, but still prohibitive for one job.

 

[chunkolini]

I have welded a fair amount of stainless using standard argoshield with good results.
The spatter is a pain as it is hard to remove, after a tip on here I use tinfoil to cover the area around the weld and antispatter spray.
Chunko'.