First attempt at welding stainless steel

[Norman_E]

Yesterday I needed to put together two pieces of 50mm x 6mm 316 stainless. The criterion was strength, not beauty. All I have is an old SIP 140 amp arc welder. Armed with a 3mm 316L rod and set on 120 amps it did the job, and made surprisingly good welds. It actually seemed easier than welding ordinary mild steel, and the slag came off very easily.

 

[old_salt]

Quote:
It actually seemed easier than welding ordinary mild steel, and the slag came off very easily.

It is.
When you have a bit of meat in the job, if it had been 16s gauge then blow holes all over the place.
Tig is good for the thiner stuff, but tricky to get right at first go.
You have to be careful of the slag it can fly off all on it's own on some jobs,
I think expansion and contraction may have something to do with it.