316 Stainless

[genoa]

Hi,
Newbie here!
I am thinking of getting some welding gear to do 2 very different jobs. I have no kit and no experience, but am fairly practical (electrician & woodworker).
So, my 2 jobs are,
1. 316 Stainless Steel pieces for a boat. - Fishing rod holders, rails, a small "crane" to lift dive stuff on deck etc etc. (Note - I will make them in the garage, so you don't need to worry about wind etc.)
2. I am thinking of rebuilding my garage and have some big (20 ft) spans, that I also want to use for attaching an engine lift from, so was thinking of doing the garage with a mild steel box frame, then some steel corregated panels.
What are your thoughts ?
What kit should I get? Which projects would you start with ? Why?

 

[keith19]

Welcome to the forum!
I'd build the garage first, get comfortable, then do the rest of the stuff.
Steel box frame should be fine, not sure about the steel panels, as unless they are very well insulated they are going to become covered in condensation in cold damp weather. Not good for storing welders and wire and tools etc. We have a brick garage with a steel roof, and it dripped with condensation in winter until we paneled it over.
A brick garage with wooden joists etc would probably be best. Then you can have a roof space for storing awkward stuff if you want it.
You won't need a welder to build the garage, probably, but you will need a TIG welder if you want your stainless work to look really nice. If it's just going to be functional you can get away with using a MIG.

 

[TechnicAl]

I agree TIG is the way for the boat stuff

And be careful you dont contaminate the stainless. I made some bits for my boat (years ago, its sold on now) and I used something I had used on mild steel. It may have been a grinding disc.
Anyway next time I went down to the boat the bits were rusty

I really should know better

They really want passivating before you attach them

 

[Shox Dr]

Inclusion from grinding ferrous metals near Stainless is the most common way of contamination. It doesn't take much

TIG for the Stainless, MIG for the steel

 

[backpurge]

Get yourself a decent TIG welder, you will be able to use it to stick weld your garage frame as well

 

[Drains]

If you're on a budget, learn to do stick. The advantage is you can do stainless, m/s, etc; consumables are not too dear; wind's never an issue.

Disadvantages - not so good under 2mm without plenty of technique and the right rods and not so forgiving if you cock it up.

I like doing stainless stick - it's really easy to get good results.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Regarding the garage, steel of any sort unless insulated is a nightmare, I built a block garage and put a profile steel roof on, I knew about condensation but thought the vents I put in around the top would sort it.

On frosty calm days it was like standing under a shower, drops were just falling from the roof..ended up with 8" of rockwool and a sealed plasterboard ceiling to sort it, not that costly but quite a back aching job.

 

[s410man]

i agree that tig is the best way for welding stainless but is harder to learn to do well than mig and is a lot slower and a mig can produce entirely acceptable welds on stainless if setup correctly with a good welder using it

dont think you need a tig just to do a bit of stainless every now and then

if youre doing a lot of welding then a mig is essential or a stick if youre on a budget