Couple of easy questions

[john in KY]

First, I just found this forum and like it. Second, I'm not a real welder. Working on a car exhaust system. Trying to install a Subaru WRX secondary cat in my XT6 system. Have to change the orientation of the flange on the cat for things to line up. Used a hacksaw to cut the flange weld to remove the flange. noticed the flange is just steel and the rest on the tubing appears to be stainless steel. Been told you can't stick weld stainless, which is all I have. Question is, can i use my stick welder to weld the steel flange to the "stainless" pipe? What rod should I use if it is possible, which I think it is. this isn't hospital-grade stainless steel. The local welding supply house told me when I called told me to just use an E6013 rod. TIA and the site is great.

john

[boilerman]

well lets start off by ...yes you can stick weld stainless...and to make the connection from stainless to steel you will want to go with stainless 309 rod ...3/32 size should do it ....oh and take money with you when you got to get it ...it ain't cheap

[evaporator]

You might also be suprised how inexpensively a local muffler shop might just weld it for you, seeing how you've got it off the car, all cut and ready to weld.

[john in KY]

Thanks Boilerman. I plan to use a welding shop, but first i have to tackweld everything in place. Not much room under a XT6.

[Tankee]

On certain pieces at work we weld stainless to mild steel Most of the time we just use mild steel wire unless the customer specifies they want stainless filler. They hold up very well since the mild steel pad eyes welded to stainless refactory stacks lift around 1600 lbs.