Filler Rod for welding on stainless keg

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Hey everyone, I weld for fun at home, and I am pretty decent with TIG.  I stil have problems choosing my filler rods/tungsten and making sure my settings are always correct, so I am always double checking myself before I start.  Right now I am working on welding a 1/2" pipe coupling to a stainless beer keg that has been retired.  The LWS sold me 3/32" filler rod, but I am wondering if I shouldn't be using 1/16".  The keg sidewalls should be 18 gauge.  Thank you in advance.
Reply:Originally Posted by BassplarHey everyone, I weld for fun at home, and I am pretty decent with TIG.  I stil have problems choosing my filler rods/tungsten and making sure my settings are always correct, so I am always double checking myself before I start.  Right now I am working on welding a 1/2" pipe coupling to a stainless beer keg that has been retired.  The LWS sold me 3/32" filler rod, but I am wondering if I shouldn't be using 1/16".  The keg sidewalls should be 18 gauge.  Thank you in advance.
Reply:Never tried the TIG with MIG wire.  I will have to play with that. Thanks for the advice also.  I will have to post some photos ,when I get home, of the setup I made out of copper to backpurge the fitting.  I am hoping this will help alleviate the sugaring also.
Reply:I also did this for someone making wine with a stainless keg. I welded a petcock fitting. I backpurged it too. I used 309. Has been holding for 4 years no issues.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:If you don't want to purge it, you can use solar flux or try to get some copper pressed tightly to the backside, .045" filler or 1/16" if you have to. I've used a keg as a BBQ, but had a few issues with back side sugaring.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:@ Bassplar - you didn't mentioned the material of the 1/2" coupling.  Presupposing SS.  Check?  As shovelon cited, go with 1/16" filler.   308 if fusing SS to SS; 309 is welding fusing dissimilar metals.  You probably know this, but many HomeBrew'rs solder these joints.  Soldering will retain the base metal temp well below 850deg F.  Don't believe you are in a pressure vessel situation.  Correct?  Harris' Stay-Brite 8 solder (94Sn/6Ag) application is a potential.Glad you posted this thread.  A local cat just asked me about converting one of his old-skool SS kegs into a crab broiler.  He wants some side handles affixed to upper end for load carrying, plus a lip to interface to the existing cut top.   Haven't seen the setup yet.   Keep us posted bro.  Good luck with your endeavor....."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Thanks for all the info.  @Brazin I looked into solar flux and have read it isn't meant for food grade fittings.  Ultimately this will be used to brew beer in, so I decided to back purge it.  I think it would work good for a grill though.  @ManoKai, the fittings are 304 stainless.  The keg, from everything I have researched, appears to also be 304, so I have some 1/16" filler that I was planning on using with 3/32" tungsten.  I can go down to 1/16" tungsten if need be though, not sure which will be better.  I had thought about soldering but ultimately decided to tig because I have the setup.  I may try to solder some pieces at some point though, just to practice it.  This won't be a pressure vessel.  I used my plasma cutter to cut a 12" hole into the top and I use the existing keg handles for the kettle.  There were some nice SS lids on amazon that fit perfectly.