mig welding stainless

[Richard Stowe]

Hi all i've never migged stainless steel I was wondering if all the power and wire speed are all gonna be the same as mild steel?

 

[GRW]

Hi all i've never migged stainless steel I was wondering if all the power and wire speed are all gonna be the same as mild steel?

I have no idea... but I'm interested in the answer!

 

[Richard Stowe]

i've tigged it but never migged it

 

[denlow60]

Hi all i've never migged stainless steel I was wondering if all the power and wire speed are all gonna be the same as mild steel?

I have a question for you, can your welding machine weld pulsed? If that is not the case, then there is no problem because you can weld stainless steel very well with MAG welding. However, you do have to change your gas to 98% argon and 2% CO2.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I've welded it but I'm using the Kempi synergetic so no idea on settings...I have a feeling they're roughly the same as mild.

I do know that I only had mig gas argon/co2...seemed to work fine.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I'm using the synergic programs as well so never really paid much attention but I don't think the settings are far away from steel.

The right gas seems to make a decent difference but maybe that's more to do with the synergic program being tailored to use it?

 

[chunkolini]

Ive welded lots of stainless using standard argoshield universal with no problems.
Cleans up a treat with a SS wire brush.
Example

 

[Richard Stowe]

I'm using an Oxford 270/1 with 32amp with 100% Argon

 

[GRW]

Ive welded lots of stainless using standard argoshield universal with no problems.
Cleans up a treat with a SS wire brush.
Example

View attachment 447502 View attachment 447503

I'm assuming you didn't use ordinary mig wire though?

 

[chunkolini]

I used stainless mig wire.~
I've dabbled in using mild steel it seemed to work but no idea how long it would last

 

[hotponyshoes]

I've got quite a few part-used spools of stainless wire if you want a part roll to Tey before spending out on a full one!

 

[Richard Stowe]

Cheers mate I've got an almost full one I'm just trying to find out if the settings on the mig need to be changed before I start

 

[hotponyshoes]

Cheers mate I've got an almost full one I'm just trying to find out if the settings on the mig need to be changed before I start

If you let me know the wire size & type, material thickness and the gas mix I can put that into my synergic machine and see what it sets itself too..

 

[Richard Stowe]

1mm wire 316L 3mm thick stainless steel with 100% Argon

 

[Munkul]

You'll get a bit of horrible spatter when using 100% argon. You'd be better off with argoshield light and just accept the extra cleaning afterwards. Or better still, the proper mix of 98/2 Ar/CO2.

 

[hotponyshoes]

1mm wire 316L 3mm thick stainless steel with 100% Argon

139a, 21v, 7.2m/m

That's for 91-99%argon

 

[Richard Stowe]

what do it say for 1.2mm thick stainless?

 

[Richard Stowe]

You'll get a bit of horrible spatter when using 100% argon. You'd be better off with argoshield light and just accept the extra cleaning afterwards. Or better still, the proper mix of 98/2 Ar/CO2.

to be fair it's not gonna be seen anyway it's more for rust proofing

 

[hotponyshoes]

what do it say for 1.2mm thick stainless?

I can have a look tomorrow but I don't think it will go as low as 1.2mm with 1mm wire without going into pulse

 

[Richard Stowe]

i think it's gonna be the gas issue I've only got 100% argon or 90% argon/10 co2