GMAW Stainless

[etep101]

I'm starting a new project this weekend. I'm building a stand out of stainless for my home brewing.

Which shelding gas should I be using. I already have a bottle of c25 and 100% Argon? That Tri-Mix that is recomended on the door of my MM175 is expensive, and I'm not planning to do many other stainless projects.

[BillC]

Without knowing what alloy you are welding, I believe that you can do the stainless with the C25, but I think it is only recommended for single pass. I'm not sure why, but I'm sure one of the SS experts like Dan will provide a better answer.

[Mike Sherman]

Peter, if you are using short circuit mig, the C25 will work. If you do multiple passes with C25, the CO2 will affect the corrosion resistance of the stainless. If you are going to use the GTAW process, use the 100% Argon. The tri-gas is expensive, I use gas shielded flux cored stainless wire in my shop. The recommended gas for that is C25 and the the results are far superior to short arc mig.

[etep101]

Thank you all for your response. I'm going to try to find a spool of flux cored SS wire, and use C25.

I've never used any of the flux cored wires. Will there be a lot of slag and/or splatter to chip off after welding like stick welding?

[BillC]

Slag and spatter? Yes to the slag, probably to the splatter. Make sure you buy a flux core wire that is intended to be used with external gas shielding.

[Arc Burn]

I think we have been thru this before but isn't that stuff pricey?

[etep101]

Well, I've called three local welding suppliers and none of them stock this wire. I'll try a online search...

[Mike Sherman]

Interesting. My suppliers all stock it. As to slag, yes it has it, but it is easily removed. As to spatter, it is run in spray transfer like mode and if set properly, leaves no spatter.