PDA

View Full Version : Can I weld stainless steel to regular steel?

Roy's Rustbucket
08-09-2006, 01:41 PM
I got a big stainless steel cart for free at work, and I need some sheet steel to work on my 4Runner build. Is there anything I need to know before I MIG this together.

Sorry for the newb question. I've never worked with stainless.

Roy
sha_ba_do_bang
08-09-2006, 02:05 PM
i weld stainless hardware to regular steel all the time, nuts and bolts tho, i don't think you want to weld in patch panels out of stainless tho, steel sheet is cheap enough
JeepinDoug
08-09-2006, 05:31 PM
Depending on the grade of st/st and the application. St/st will become brittle from heat. The weld will hold but the sheet may fracture soon.
Bigger Valves
08-09-2006, 06:06 PM
what grade of ss?? more than likely you'll be just fine to use it for patch panels.. weld it with whatever you use for mild steel to mild steel if you're using it like you would a similar piece of steel and don't really care about affecting the stainless's corrosion resistance. I'd assume you're painting it anyway.
Roy's Rustbucket
08-09-2006, 07:02 PM
Yup, painting over this stuff. I'm not fixing rust holes, I'm plating up some interior panels.

Thanks for the replies.

Roy
Jam Master Jay
08-10-2006, 08:12 PM
I've built several projects using stainless wire to weld mild steel. I have to borrow the welder at the family manufacturing plant and all they weld is stainless so that's the only wire they have. I haven't had any issue with any of the welds.
bgreen
08-10-2006, 08:35 PM
Ive welded lots of SS to carbon steel but its always been TIG using 309 rod. Too bad its so expensive to get a bottle of gas for MIG'ing stainless.
SquattyD
08-11-2006, 10:21 AM
Ive welded lots of SS to carbon steel but its always been TIG using 309 rod. Too bad its so expensive to get a bottle of gas for MIG'ing stainless.


the guy at my welding supply shop is awesome about this. i normally get large c25 bottles, but if I need to weld a bit of stainless, next time i go in for a refill, just ask him for one of the real small bottles for stainless or aluminium. i just pay for the gas, then when i come back, i go back to the big bottle of c25.
SquattyD
08-11-2006, 10:21 AM
double post for whatever reason
DpSyChO
08-12-2006, 07:35 AM
So your supposed to use straight argon for stainless? I havent welded any before but have a project soon that I need to be getting ready for.