1/2" SS to Tig or to Mig?

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I am looking at having a part made out of 1/2" 304 or 316 SS.  Wanted to have a flange bent so I can mount it, but apparently 12" of 1/2" ss is hard to bend.  My local guy cannot do it, and even if I could find someone, it would likely be a larger radius than I want. So on to welding on the mounting flange.  Joint will be an L.  Gussets are likely. I have a multimatic 200, but I dont think it has the guts for 1/2" unless it is full bevel and multipass tig.  Could bevel and multipass mig with the mm300, but have never had great results with ss mig and tri mix is expensive.  Could put together a tig torch for the TB302.  It has the amps, but I dont know that all the setup cost would be worth it. Will have 10 or so per year made and need to weld.   Can weld from both sides What would you do?  Prep type? Process?  Doesnt need to be to code but will need to support about 100lbs distributed out over about a foot.ThanksDrooopyMultimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:Stick weld it, on more than one occasion ss stick electrodes saved my a$$.Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:1/2" to support 100lbs...you miss some zeros?  Bevel and tig it.  Multiple passes.
Reply:Also, bending stainless is hard to do because it is so brittle. It shatters. I ruined a part trying it.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:DrooopyPics or prints - other wise, you are discribing a color over the phone - while waving your hands in the air.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by kazlx1/2" to support 100lbs...you miss some zeros?  Bevel and tig it.  Multiple passes.
Reply:I simply gave the weight the mounting flange will hold. The material thickness is driven by the fluid pressure inside the filter housing. I could do a thinner mounting flange than main plate.Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:Regardless, i second the recommendation of stick. Stainless stick welds typically look very nice, and you can use either the Multimatic or the Trailblazer.A few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROPics or prints - other wise, you are discribing a color over the phone - while waving your hands in the air.
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedRegardless, i second the recommendation of stick. Stainless stick welds typically look very nice, and you can use either the Multimatic or the Trailblazer.
Reply:Pressure vessel engineers came back that 3/8" will be acceptable.  I will probably go with a dual bevel on the leg of the L and follow the stick welding recommendation. Is 3/8 ss likely to warp much on me?Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:DROOOPY"Pressure vessel engineers came back that 3/8" will be acceptable . . ."Based on what data - please 'share-all' with the forum?"I will probably go . . . and follow the stick welding recommendation."Stick S/S sucks - it's not for beginners . . . "Is 3/8 ss likely to warp much on me?" You are not special - it warps for everone.Opusps - pics or prints . . .
Reply:I dont think ur going to have a problem warping on you. Thats a pretty small and thick section, but like always tack and clamp.Dynasty 200DX   (2014)Millermatic 211 (2015)Optrel 864   (2014)Smith Medium duty MBA 30510 (Xmas 2014)Tennsmith 16ga 4ft finger brake (2015)Trailblazer 325 EFI and excel Thermal dynamics Cutmaster 82Miller maxtron 450
Reply:Stay away from the MIG on SSI would bevel and TIG it because thats what im more comfortable with and better at.Stick is also suitable if ur smooth with it.
Reply:If you TIG fuse the root (without filler) at minimal amps (~80) you'll get less warpage overall. I might try a stick fill.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:I'd tig it. It will take longer than stick, but with the tig you can be sure the weld is good the first time.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Originally Posted by Joker11Also, bending stainless is hard to do because it is so brittle. It shatters. I ruined a part trying it.
Reply:Thank you for the replies.  I am going to add a couple gussets to keep the parts square.  Hopefully working only on the edge should help to minimize the flex.Going to bevel and tig it all.  Several fast passes to keep heat down.  It is still overkill for the service loads.Material supplier had 316 they wanted off the shelf so getting that for less than the original 304 spec.Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:I welded a bunch of brackets out of 316L and it welds nice MIG, TIG, or stick. I built most of them with MIG, but ran out of try mix with several to go, so I stick welded them. it was very easy to make very nice welds.