MIG welding stainless steel tubing.

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Hello,I am on final stages of a engine swap, and now need to fabricate the intercooler piping.I currently own a MIG welder setup. And the welds need to be leakproof, the welder is not the best (Solter Solmig 160amps) it has 4 amperage settings instead of knob, I fixed all the problems by now (like leaking gas, bad spool) and got the hang of the lack of choices on the amperege.But going stainless is a whole new deal for me. But since i can get the 3" tubing cheaply (oddly enough), all I need it to buy some stainless steel solid wire right ? The gas is the same right ? I have the Argomix 75/25 bottle.I plan on get a TIG welder on the long run, but that is off budget right now, since I would have to get a new bottle for the 100% Argon too ?
Reply:75/25 is the wrong gas to do stainless if you want to retain the stainless properties. They do however make SS mig gas with the right gas composition to maintain the stainless. Keep in mind SS mig will not give you those rainbow looking stack of dimes welds so many people think of when they think of SS welds.As far as whether or not mig is the right process for what you want to do, I'll leave that to those that are more familiar with this type of project. Tig would be my 1st choice most likely..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Well... DSW is right... 75/25 isn't "right", but it'll do just fine for what you're doing. I would get some .030 or .023 308L mig wire and use the 75/25 if it were me. I have built lots of exhaust systems and some intercooling/turbo stuff. I always tigged mine, but they weren't for me, and the customers always expected that rainbow looking stack of dimes weld.  If you are seriously interested in getting a tig, there is no better  time than now. If you would like to wait till later for the tig, then go ahead and use your mig, you'll be fine. Yes, the 75/25 isn't the correct gas mixture, but you more than likely would never know the difference. If this was some high dollar piping project going offshore or near salt water, then use the tri mix. Don't worry, just get a small roll of wire (might have to buy a 10lb spool), and practice on some scrap until you get results you're happy with. DO NOT expect a beautiful weld like some of the pictures here of custom headers. There will be some spatter and it will be a grayish weld that if done correctly will leave satisfactory welds.      Hope that helps, DougLincoln Idealarc Tig 300/300, Lincoln ranger 8, Lincoln LN-25, Miller Sidekick (keeps rockin!), Oxy/Acy torch, Miller XMT-304 with a Miller 60 series wire feeder and high freq. box, Profax positioner 8" chuck, Aaronson 3500# positioner 15" chuck
Reply:Hello, Its for my personal machine, Its a banged up 4x4, looks are not even in the menu. Getting the right gas would imply another bottle, which would not make it worthwhile for me. I would rather invest on a bottle for the TIG really.Also, I opened another thread for the TIG welder http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-DC-TIG-welder  , this probably my maximum budget for it right now.
Reply:You've got the answers you needed, so lemme chime in.  If its for a banged up 4x4, as you state, why go stainless?  Even if it is cheap.  I can understand...if you were going to tig it..then feel free.  Just get some aluminized tubing, and have at it with the mig.  Also, 3" for intercooler piping is HUGE...and not necessary unless you're making some really good power.  I'm not nitpicking..just trying to help out.  What truck, motor, turbo, power goals, etc?-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Originally Posted by masterkorpGetting the right gas would imply another bottle, which would not make it worthwhile for me. I would rather invest on a bottle for the TIG really.Also, I opened another thread for the TIG welder http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-DC-TIG-welder  , this probably my maximum budget for it right now.
Reply:Originally Posted by rabidchimpYou've got the answers you needed, so lemme chime in.  If its for a banged up 4x4, as you state, why go stainless?  Even if it is cheap.  I can understand...if you were going to tig it..then feel free.  Just get some aluminized tubing, and have at it with the mig.  Also, 3" for intercooler piping is HUGE...and not necessary unless you're making some really good power.  I'm not nitpicking..just trying to help out.  What truck, motor, turbo, power goals, etc?-Aaron
Reply:Originally Posted by rabidchimpYou've got the answers you needed, so lemme chime in.  If its for a banged up 4x4, as you state, why go stainless?  Even if it is cheap.  I can understand...if you were going to tig it..then feel free.  Just get some aluminized tubing, and have at it with the mig.  Also, 3" for intercooler piping is HUGE...and not necessary unless you're making some really good power.  I'm not nitpicking..just trying to help out.  What truck, motor, turbo, power goals, etc?-Aaron
Reply:http://www.ebay.com/itm/035-308L-FCO...item2eb897979cFlux cored stainless mig wire????easy now,~JohnHere's some 309....http://www.ebay.com/itm/ER309L-ER-30...item2c6373c9d3
Reply:I tried c25 on stainless with mig, looked like ***. Tried pure argon, looked like bird sphit.You need Argon with a tiny bit of CO2 or oxygen.This is why I mix my own gas. I dont want to drag around 4 or 5 gas bottles.My diesel uses 4 inch between the turbos and from the mainfold turbo to the engine is all 3 inch.All aluminum.I dont think 3 inch inter cooler piping is excessive at all on a v8 diesel.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:I think I am going to roll the dice and invest on that chinese made (with warranty) TIG welder, I learned how to make decent welds with a ****ty MIG welder with some fixes., I think I can make do with a basic TIG for a couple of years until I can afford a decent one.Its a circuit I can probably fix it the problems later.
Reply:Originally Posted by masterkorpHello, thanks for your input, when i mean banged up I mean on the aspect/form. The truck is a Nissan Patrol with a rb25det swap, on the 1st phase I will only take 300ish hp out of it, but on the second build, I will take full advantage of the current intercooler.