learning to weld stainless tube
- Thread starter sarabande
- Start date
30boat
N/A
I've been welding for a long time and have found TIG to be tricky on thin metal. My set is rather good with pedal control and all sorts of pulse ,slope and what have you.I need to practice a bit in order to solve some issues but lack the time or patience for now.
PCUK
Well-Known Member
My new set is an R-Tech AC/DC with all the bells and whistles as above and also allows aluminium welding as well as stainless and everything else. Main reason for going to them is there warranty and fantastic service and advice. Taught myself on a £120 basic Kobel Chinese Tig from Ebay which did everything I wanted at the time.
PCUK
Well-Known Member
Look forward to seeing you in our new workshop (barn) just up the road from the old place.thanks for that kind offer, P. Likely that I shall ask to drop round and discuss in the summer.
30boat
N/A
Got one of those in DC but will upgrade to a Ac one soon.Great sets.
macd
Well-Known Member
Just as an aside, whenever I've had stainless welding done in the UK, it's been TIG. But in shore-side Spain, Greece, Turkey, it's usually been manual arc. Apart from being simpler and cheaper, they like to throw on plenty of weld for dressing back and polishing. In my experience they're also the ones you're most likely to see passivating the welds.
PCUK
Well-Known Member
I can't see them arc welding 1.6mm wall tube but I know they are masters of the stainless craft so I could be wrong.
macd
Well-Known Member
I'm sure you can't see them...from mid-Devon
But I can assure you I have (and own a manual arc set, so know the difference).
30boat
N/A
Because of this thread I went to my workshop and tried to to weld two very thin(less than 1mm) tubes at right angles to each other.After fiddling with the settings I came out with a very acceptable weld. 1,6mm walled tube is relatively easy with TIG. Wouldn't stick weld it though. However my machine does pulsed stick so I may try one day just for the heck of it.I'm sure you can't see them...from mid-Devon
PCUK
Well-Known Member
Further to that, on my previous boat I stick welded the stainless bollards to mild steel deck using appropriate rods and they never fell off in 30 years. Think the bollards were about 2mm wall. Of course TIG can be used for filler-free welds making dressing unnecessary apart from polishing off the discolouration.