Anyone have any experience of mig welding 316 stainless?

[fredrussell]

I have some experience of welding, and a pretty good mig welder. I seem to recall Tig is best for stainless, if anyone has had good results with a mig machine I'd welcome any advice. I'm currently using Argon/CO2 mix - will that be ok for stainless?

 

[superheat6k]

I suggest a PM to Spottydog5. If Roy doesn't know know one else will.

 

[pmagowan]

Have a look at SV Seeker on YouTube. IIRC, he has been mig welding some stainless recently and getting good results.

 

[andy59]

I have had good results mig welding 316 stainless using argoshield .

 

[TQA]

You want 316L filler wire. The Argon CO2 mix shield gas is fine.

MIG is MUCH easier than TIG.

Some of my MIG welds were near pro quality. Where as my TIG efforts while usually finished up holding together the finish looked like there had been a mass launch of sparrows.

 

[fredrussell]

You want 316L filler wire. The Argon CO2 mix shield gas is fine.

MIG is MUCH easier than TIG.

Some of my MIG welds were near pro quality. Where as my TIG efforts while usually finished up holding together the finish looked like there had been a mass launch of sparrows.

That sounds positive - I'll buy some wire and do some experimenting. Thanks to all.

 

[bigwow]

TIG is a lot easier if you are used to gas welding

 

[paulajayne]

That sounds positive - I'll buy some wire and do some experimenting. Thanks to all.

Also need to replace the guide as well to stop cross contamination of your weld wire.

 

[GrahamM376]

MIG is MUCH easier than TIG..

No argument with that but, stick can even be easier

 

[BERT T]

Some of my MIG welds were near pro quality. Where as my TIG efforts while usually finished up holding together the finish looked like there had been a mass launch of sparrows.

Not enough heat in the workpiece, and applying the filler rod to soon.
,

 

[BERT T]

I have some experience of welding, and a pretty good mig welder. I seem to recall Tig is best for stainless, if anyone has had good results with a mig machine I'd welcome any advice. I'm currently using Argon/CO2 mix - will that be ok for stainless?

You will find some good advice here: www.boconline.co.uk/internet.lg.lg.gbr/en/images/shielding-gas-brochure410_80125.pdf

 

[DownWest]

I use 316L filler wire and argon with 8% co2. Works fine, but better would 5%or 2% co2, somewhat difficult to find hereabouts.
Currently doing a guard rail in rectangular section for a boat, with the corners fabricated from sheet. This to replace a wooden cap on ss stanchions all around the deck, 'bout 22mtrs of tube. Curving it is fun....
Mig is much faster and easier than Tig, but the latter makes for tidier welds esp in tight corners. As said, it is like gas welding, but needs a very steady hand as the gap from the electrode to the material is only about 2mm and needfs to be kept constant. Pure argon is the only gas used with tig, otherwise the tungsten electrode is damaged.

 

[30boat]

I've Mig welded 316 with pure Argon with good results. Amps should be lower than for equivalent normal steel.Properly done a Mig weld is as strong as a Tig one.I have found that Mig inputs less heat into the work piece than Tig because it is much faster.

 

[Niander]

IM an avid watcher of SV Seeker on YouTube.
That boat has some crap welding on it!...those who have seen the vids will understand
his fuel tanks[when he gets round to testing them will leek like sieves]!
anyway I stick weld all my stainless no problem and rods easy to get on fleebay..Tig is the neatest but I don't have the gear.

 

[JOHNPEET]

If you want a neat and tidy job that is visible and may be polished then you can't beat TIG. As mentioned pure argon is the gas to use. Keep the tungsten (thoriated for stainless) clean and ground to fine tip - stop and regrind it if it becomes contaminated. 1 to 2mm gap - something to remember is that the greater the gap the greater the heat going in to the weld pool so keep the welder set right and the gap small. Also possible to do a butt weld very neatly without filler material as. Long as the fit of the parts is good and this is a good way to start off practicing and add filler later when you're are bit more confident with the gap. You also need to rest your torch hand against something to keep it steady. Lots of practice and you'd never use MIG again for stainless. No spatter and very tidy welds worth polishing and putting on view!