MIG welding stainless
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Just wondering if anyone has had experience with mig welding stainless steel. im planning on attempting to make up an exhaust manifold over the christmas and as i dont have access to a tig welder i was tinking of setting my mig welder up for stainless.
Ive been doing a bit of research into it and i no it can be done but just want to see if anyone else has made up theirs with a mig. I know ill obviously need stainless mig wire which shouldnt be a problem but not too sure of the gas i need. Would the standard mild steel mix do the job or will i have to splash out on some other gas bottle. Or even a mix that could do both mild steel and stainless as im due a refill anyway.
Any help appreciated.

Edited by jdisel on 14th Dec, 2012.

A job worth doing is a job worth over doing

You can, I was reading about it last night, here: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/stainless.htm

Pure argon for stainless iirc.

i never had any problem mig welding stainless with mild steel wire and pure CO2 as shielding gas.
far from what everybody will tell you, but it works. it's most cost effective if you just want to weld one manifold.

Ive migged stainless hundreds of times - just change the wire, argon/co2 mix is fine

I seriously doubt it!

Right on Klas - I have done the same.

The weld wont be stainless of course !!

yep, I have too,

me too just change the wire

give em hell

cheers for the replies, so a reel of 316 stainless wire nd i should be good to go. What size wire would ye recomend, i think the pipe is 2.77 mm for the manifold and probally a little lighter on the downpipe..

A job worth doing is a job worth over doing

0.6mm wire

I seriously doubt it!

stainless welds really well with the mig if you use stainless wire but like others have said you can weld stainless with mild wire, not that i have tried it with mild wire

I have done it using 'garage gas' not sure on the mix? using .6mm wire on my mig. the chap at the welding shop said you only need different gas if your really fussed about a nice shiny finish.

ive welded stainless with both stainless and mild wire and even on co2 when i ran out of mix, stainless and argon mix welds beautifully with a mig
if you use mild wire obviously the weld rusts lol

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

I welded my stainless downpipe with mild wire and co2 argon mix. It's the most success I've had with any welding.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

just a thought anyone tried welding mild steel with stainless wire

give em hell

yes done that too, couldnt be arsed to change the wire for a couple inches of weld on a bracket its all same shit really

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

You can weld stainless with anything just the same as mild, no different, you will just end up with an inch wide band of rust around your exhaust.

Doing it properly is a different story however...

Audi s4 b5 - 470bhp & 486ft lbs

On 30th Apr, 2012 Brett said:
yeah stick the bit in and give it a wobble

im no master mig welder but ill give it a go and see what happens. Cheers.

A job worth doing is a job worth over doing