Thread: Welding stainless

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Can you weld stainless with a regular mig setup?

All I want to do is tack together a couple pieces of stainless molding because the original clip that held the two pieces together is no more.

If so, will it permanently discolor the stainless?

you need special wire and gas, no flux core welding, this is what I'v heard anyways. what about a weld substitute like JB weld or the like. or 3m 8001 molding adhesive, it is what is used to attach trim on newer cars at bodyshops, but does adhere to metal and gasket materials, because it works great as a gasket adhesive when doing trans fluid changes.

Yes you can weld stainless by flux core arc welding (wire feed flux cored stainless wire, or arc welding with stick).

Works on many austenitic or martensitic or ferritic grades. A great welding grade is 316L. Don't weld precipitation hardened grades, which really ain't around most automotive applications.

Plenty of info available on web .................

Kitz

Originally posted by kitz
Yes you can weld stainless by flux core arc welding (wire feed flux cored stainless wire, or arc welding with stick).

Works on many austenitic or martensitic or ferritic grades. A great welding grade is 316L. Don't weld precipitation hardened grades, which really ain't around most automotive applications.

Plenty of info available on web .................

Kitz

glad I found that out, I thought I was gonna have to get a mig for a couple small things I'd like to do.

You can, but you will just loose your "stainless" properties in the area where you are welding. What I mean by that is, the area you are welding will get a little "diluted" with your non-stainless filler.

You can weld the stainless with the regular mig set up. It is not advisable to do but will flow the two metals together. Not going into a great detail the stainless area will not be as strong or resist the corrosion as it were welded with stainless wire and gas.
For a small weld let's say ok. The carbon content and silicon in the mild steel wire will change the peoperties of the stainless heat effected zone.

Robert

Originally posted by bulldogcountry1
Can you weld stainless with a regular mig setup?

All I want to do is tack together a couple pieces of stainless molding because the original clip that held the two pieces together is no more.

If so, will it permanently discolor the stainless?

you are much better to weld it and use stainless to stainless and tig it. have some one with a tig do it or make a new clip out of a T bolt if you can get to the back side of it to use a nut .find a body clip with a stud and cut to fit. or use some aluminum make a block drill and tap the block and slide it in the molding pieces. can you weld ss yes with a mig yes i have welded the 4 type to steel. 4 type is magnetic s steel used in exhaust and some headers. but your trim will be not magnetic 3 class s steel . to day i will get the name of the place that makes body clips of you or try to find and old body shop they may have some thing you can make work .on the clips L.S.P may have someing that will work