stainless steel welding rods

[123hotchef]

I am about to knock up a grill for the BBQ from stainless re bar.

Question is are the stainless steel sticks any good? would they give a better weld than just using my mig with mild wire?

 

[Brad93]

I am about to knock up a grill for the BBQ from stainless re bar.

Question is are the stainless steel sticks any good? would they give a better weld than just using my mig with mild wire?

They’re better than standard MAG With stainless wire in terms of quality weld metal and corrosion resistance.

 

[123hotchef]

They’re better than standard MAG With stainless wire in terms of quality weld metal and corrosion resistance.

Thanks Brad maybe i will buy a pack of 10 to weld the grill up then save ruining the look when the welds go rusty

 

[gordon stephenson]

I have found that as long as the welds are not too long, the mig with mild wire has been fine with the stainless properties diluting into the weld.

 

[123hotchef]

I have found that as long as the welds are not too long, the mig with mild wire has been fine with the stainless properties diluting into the weld.

I have welded lots of bits of stainless at work with the mig and stick with normal wire and rods was just wondering about something that will live outside dot want the welds to rust and the grill fall apart in a year

 

[Brad93]

Deffo use stainless rods. Will look horrible with rusty welds.

 

[123hotchef]

Deffo use stainless rods. Will look horrible with rusty welds.[/QUOTE

all ordered thanks for the helpful advice as always.
what sixe would you be using for 7mm bar?

Was thinking 2.5mm

 

[Brad93]

Yeah that will work. 60amps odd DC+

 

[123hotchef]

Yeah that will work. 60amps odd DC+

as low as 60 amps?

 

[Brad93]

as low as 60 amps?

A 2.5mm 316L will run from 45A up to about 85A. Stainless conducts heat differently to mild steel so the electrodes run at lower amperages.

You're only welding a small part which you don't want to overheat. I'd start at 60ish and work up if needed.

 

[123hotchef]

A 2.5mm 316L will run from 45A up to about 85A. Stainless conducts heat differently to mild steel so the electrodes run at lower amperages.

You're only welding a small part which you don't want to overheat. I'd start at 60ish and work up if needed.

Thanks because I would have banged 80 amps through it!

 

[Kent]

Be aware very bad fumes health wise come off stainless rods.
Outside with a mask

 

[123hotchef]

Be aware very bad fumes health wise come off stainless rods.
Outside with a mask

thanks I didnt know that either what kind of mask? same as I use for spraying

 

[Kent]

thanks I didnt know that either what kind of mask? same as I use for spraying

As good as you can get.. With a blower preferably.. Only health and safety rollicking I ever got from my boss when learning. They weren't big on h+s back then so it says a lot!

 

[Turbo]

Another thing to watch with stainless stick welding is that the flux pings off as it cools, usually towards your face!

 

[bigegg]

I bought a pack of SS rods at the car boot.
I found they were nicer to weld with (on my buzzbox) than standard 6013.

 

[123hotchef]

Another thing to watch with stainless stick welding is that the flux pings off as it cools, usually towards your face!

I heard that on here before I think thanks ill keep the mask down!

I bought a pack of SS rods at the car boot.
I found they were nicer to weld with (on my buzzbox) than standard 6013.

I also read that they are smoother and slower burning I will see soon enough