Sheet Stainless and Mild Steel Pizza Oven Repair Project

[DragonSpark]

Hi all. A friend has asked me to repair a Pizza Oven firedoor. It is used outside and is relaively small. The access 'door' or removable hatch is essentially two plates; an outer flat stainless plate - 3mm and and an inner formed pressing - again c3mm. The two were factory spot welded together but the heat has caused the two to come apart (failed spot welds) over half the door (photo).

I dont have a spot welder. Considering using my MiG welder using stainless wire and a CO2/Argon mix and occasional tack welding. (At present I have steel wire and CO2 bottle).Could you advise whether this is a sensible approach to remedy this problem. I have an arc welder but think this definately an option here.Many thanks.

 

[gaz1]

i would just use what you have and tack weld it myself

i wouldnt go into the cost for welding properly with stainless steel

 

[DragonSpark]

Thats what I was thinking. Tack on periphery or drill a few c3mm holes - say 15mm in from edge and tack within these? Cleaning all rust off carbon steel section first.

 

[Barking Mat]

I'd get some stainless 316 rods, instead of investing in new gas and wire and arc weld it.

Simpler and cheaper.

 

[DragonSpark]

Thanks for your advice. 2.5mm rods? Any advice using stainless rods - (only usdd mild steel on projects so far - making gates etc using my arc welder - 50x50 tube and 20x5 strip).

 

[Onoff]

Any advice using stainless rods

The slag is a bitch! Run a weld and the slag detaches itself and flies off like a hot missile. Quite entertaining on a cold damp morning, you can see the vapour trail as it whizzes through the air. Got small stuff, weld then turn the piece upside down so the slag hits the floor.

 

[DragonSpark]

So maybe if I am doing small tack welds on thid job not too much of a risk - pyrotechnics and vapour trails! ;-)

 

[Onoff]

So maybe if I am doing small tack welds on thid job not too much of a risk - pyrotechnics and vapour trails! ;-)

The small weld slag will likely ping off too. All the better for hitting you in the eye, dropping down your collar etc. Eye protection, eye protection, eye protection even after welding.

 

[Pond frog]

I think I would just use self tapping screws

 

[Wildefalcon]

Mild steel and what you've got. Presume cosmetic appearance isn't huge priority.

 

[DragonSpark]

Self tappers: two thin sheets and need little protrusion on breakout side - otherwose a good call. Re cosmetics - agree. Think in this case following all your very helpful comments I willgo for drilling, stick tack welding using 319 2mm rods. Post pics up when done. Point of no return!!

 

[Barking Mat]

Before welding the actual piece, get bit of scrap and get the rod to burn nicely, they can be a bigger to get started, I find doing this really helps.

 

[DragonSpark]

Good advice. Many thanks

 

[Ace Paul]

I think I would just use self tapping screws

Was thinking rivets. At least even just to hold so don’t warp.

Or. Car body shop with spot welder.

Insurance approved ones, spot welder like 7 tons of pressure and CAN spot weld through a bussiness card