Welding Stainless

[masu]

Greetings all!

I've finally had some time to set up my HH175, and it is so nice, it is like cheating

I have a friend who needs a flange welded onto his bike, on the muffler, the muffler is stainless, and he has a piece that he needs welded to it. I need to buy some stainless wire, and I'm looking for some info.

I am not sure of the alloy of the stainless.

I will be using the HH175 with C25 gas. The flange is 2 mm thick and it needs about two 3/4" welds, not a big job.

Any advice you guys can give me would be great!

BTW I am looking for a welding supplier to buy wire, liners tips and other stuff for the welder. Here in Japan it is WAY TOO EXPEN$IVE. I have an APO address to ship to, so shipping is not really a problem. I know that the Hobart guys will not want to mention any names, but you regualr users, can you please help me out and tell me of a good online welding supplier, please?

Cheers!

Stu

[Hunter991]

Online stores

Here are a few that I am familiar with, seem to give good service.

https://www.cyberweld.com

https://www.weldingmart.com

Also try grainger. I am not sure of their web address but they have almost anything you could ever need, they only to business to business transactions though.

Good luck and happy shopping.

[Mike Sherman]

Masu, you will have some trouble welding stainless with C25. You need to use a "stainless mix" of gas or use a flux core stainless wire. I have used an outershield stainless flux core wire with 75/25 gas and I prefer it over bare wire stainless. 309 ss is a good choice when welding unknown or different grades of stainless, particularly when high heat input is indicated. The size of the material you have indicated would be best welded with GTAW if you have the option. Good luck.

[masu]

Thanks Mike!

What you are saying is to weld with the C25 gas on AND the flux core stailess wire??

Hmm, I did not know that there was flux core stainless wire (see what a newbie I am).

GTAW is Tig?

Nope I do not have that option.

The HH175 is rated for stainless, so I should be able to do this, no?

Thanks again for the help.

Cheers!

[Mike Sherman]

Masu, a stainless mix is 90% Helium, 7.5% Argon, 2.5% CO2. This is what is recommended for short circuit stainless steel welding. You can successfully make single pass welds with 75% Argon / 25% CO2 in the short circuit mode. You can weld stainless flux cored wire with 75 / 25 or with straight CO2, but you may need a regulator heater to run straight CO2 on flux cored wire. For the short weld you are going to make, you can probably use the set up you have and a flux cored outershield or dual shield wire, without the regulator heater you may end up with worm holes or tracks in your weld. If you are constantly running CO2 you should consider buying a regulator heater anyway. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[wayne]

I weld a good bit of stainless at work. I use either 75% argon-25% co2 or 92%-8%. Both work well.

[masu]

Hi guys!

I just wanted to tell you all that I finally got around to welding that exhaust bracket up for my buddy. We used the 25% CO2, 75% Argon I had and the welds worked great!!

I know it is not rocket science, but the welds looked good, and after a bit of grinding and polishing the welded part looked as good as the stock one.

Thanks again!!

Cheers!

[Hobart Expert Rock]

MASU...........GLAD YOUR WELDS LOOKED GOOD.......... THE REAL TEST OF TIME WILL BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VIBRATION................ MY GUESS IS THOUGH IT WILL BE FINE.... I TAKE IT THIS WAS A HIGH REVING MACHINE........... .....I DON'T DO MUCH WOOD WORKING I CARVE DUCK DECOYS THOUGH ON OCASSION THAT IS MY EXTENT OF WOOD WORKING........... BUT BIKES AND WELDING RUN A CLOSE PARALELL DON'T THEY.......ROCK

















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[masu]

Thanks Rock!

The bike was a 2002 GSXR 1000, a total crotch Rocket!!

There was one flange on the new exhaust system that did not line up with the stock mounting point, I added another bit of stainless to the existing flange, and then ground it all smooth, hit it with a wire wheel (as the exhuast had a "Brush Stainless" look to it, installed it all, marked the mounting point, took it off and drilled it. Re-installed and he was good to go. The welds look good, if I must say so my self

I have to say that everytime I use that HH175 it impresses the heck out of me!!

I did get a cart built for it all, it works fine, but I must admit it is not quite "Square", that is what happends when you are building it on a sloped driveway

Well I got to go, I'm sure I'll be back from time to time to pick your brain!!

Cheers!