Welding unidentified stainless (magnetic/non magentic)

[BrokenBiker]

Now I will start by saying, this is only ever going to be very small artistic pieces, mostly copies of things I've seen on YouTube that I think are cool to stick around the garden, give to people that like this sort of thing etc.

So, I've just made a little scorpion out of a few forks. Only had 2.4mm 308l filler, so that's what I used but to be honest it's only held together with some stout tacks and didnt really need filler...first attempt and I cooked the welds a bit but it's a practice run to see what works and what I need to work on. I set the amps a bit low and took quite a while to get a good puddle going, next one I will double the amps and try and get the tacks done quicker. The next one will also be polished before being given to its recipient to go in a rock garden. I tried torch colouring this one after bending the legs with heat and think it looks kinda OK but polished would be better

I have noticed though that the forks used for the legs are magnetic, the handle of the fork (completely different style and probably different manufacturer) wasn't magnetic. Could any cracking or brittleness arise from sticking the 2 together? Won't be an issue for this, but other things may end up hanging/swinging in the wind.

 

[Barking Mat]

I've never had any issues welding stainless.

 

[indykid]

Unless you get up to 10s of kilograms, I think you'll be fine.

This might give you some idea of what you might be welding, but if you can't pull it apart by hand, it's unlikely to spontaneously fail. Cosmetic corrosion of the 430 would likely be the biggest issue.

Note also that cold working austenitic grades (300 series) will impart some magentism so things like forks where the tine have been punched and bent and like where the pattern has been coined into the handle may be magnetic even though they're not a 'magnetic' grade

 

[BrokenBiker]

Unless you get up to 10s of kilograms, I think you'll be fine.

This might give you some idea of what you might be welding, but if you can't pull it apart by hand, it's unlikely to spontaneously fail. Cosmetic corrosion of the 430 would likely be the biggest issue.

Note also that cold working austenitic grades (300 series) will impart some magentism so things like forks where the tine have been punched and bent and like where the pattern has been coined into the handle may be magnetic even though they're not a 'magnetic' grade

Cheers for that

Think the heaviest thing I'd likely make probably wouldn't even touch a kilo.

Wasn't aware of the magnetism from cold working though so that's interesting.

As for corrosion, I will bear in mind anything on display outdoors might need a clear coat after polishing.

Cheers for the info