What a difference

[Big_Eddy]

the right gas makes.

As those who have seen my recent posts would know - I have been working my way up to welding some thin stainless for an upcoming project.

I knew stainless would be harder than mild steel so I had been practicing like crazy on mild steel. When I gave stainless a try I was VERY disappointed with the results - my welds sucked.:(

Turns out, I had just changed over to a tank of C25 instead of pure Argon, and as it was the FIRST time I tried stainless, it took me a while to decide it wasn't just me.

To make the story short - I have the right gas now, and here's a picture of my first real attempt at an outside corner on 22ga stainless. Not perfect but I was pleased. Comments and critique welcome. (Gurus will note that about 3/4 of the way along I blew through and had to go back and add filler - but that's part of learning)

[Rocky D]

Gig ya run that vertical down? That's how I would have done it...if ya did it horizontal, it's a masterpiece!

[Big_Eddy]

Run Horizontal. I clamped the 2 pieces to the outside of a piece of angle to hold them square and went at it. I'll play some more today.

[Rocky D]

Mercy! that's the hard way...good on you for doing it that way....try to do it vertical down you will have more control, and it's faster.

[neilium]

Funny you should say that Eddy, I have no probs with thin sheet stainless but cutting the rust out of my lil italian two seater is a pain, I also prefer the button to the foot pedal when welding steel into the car body as the pedal seems to be less sensitive at low amps, one thing I found with square wave on sheet steel is to grind the electrode more than 1.5 times the diameter of the electrode, maybe two times the dia. seems to be much better on thin steel. I also found that long extension leads make a heap of difference to the amps setting.
Yeah good weld mate. Cheers Neil