Best way on small stainless welds

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I have the need to attach 16 gauge stainless small plates to 1/4" stainless all-thread. I have tig, oxy, mma, etc.  I know the oxy is out with all the heat.  The MMA, not sure how well it will work as the rods seem pretty large.  They will be placed horizontal to the rod so there is not a lot to work with..Can someone recommend a SS tig rod and pointers.  I have 100% argon as well.  I am in Florida, so will there be a corrosion factor I would like to avoid as well?Or are there other better methods? Thanks
Reply:TIG weld with as little current as possible.  It's a wild guess, but you can probably make these welds with 25-35 amps.  Keep your tungsten sharp and your arc length short; less then 1/16".I'd use 316L filler rod, unless I knew exactly what kind of stainless the pieces were made from.  Then you might chose another filler that's less expensive or a better composition match.Use a gas lense on the TIG torch for better Argon coverage and keep the torch nozzle close to the weld after you break the arc.  You can do this with a regular gas cup, but a gas lense will make things easier.  Dont' move it away until the weld has stopped glowing.  This, combined with keeping the heat input low will preserve the stainless steel's corrosion resistance.If I understand what you're trying to do, you might also try taking a second Argon gas line, and set it up to blow on the back side of the joint you're welding on.  use ~10 cfh of gas flow.  If you move fast on the weld, and keep the heat low, you can probably get away without a back purge.  But if you see any grey or black discoloration on the back side of the weld, the purge should help minimize this.If your shielding gas coverage is good, the welds will have a no color or a slight gold tint to them when you're done.  A pale blue is OK, but marginal.  Any darker coloration is a sign that you've compromised (to some extent) the stainless steel's corrosion resistance.  The darker the color, the greater the chance you'll see some corrosion of the weldment.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:A_DAB_will_do.Excellent explanation.  Thank you very much.  Too bad the rods cost so darn much, the shop I buy from no longer sells sticks out of the pack.  I have MMA SS rods, but the heat and size I think will be an issue.  It is 316L on the SS.I have a second argon bottle as well.  So that will help in the oxidation and cooling I take it?Will give it a shot, again, thank for the detail. Hope it turned out good enough to post.
Reply:A_DAB_will_do.If you don't mind...what size tungsten would you use on this application?Thanks
Reply:Silver brazing--hard, soft -- Might work,  not sure what you are doing.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderSilver brazing--hard, soft -- Might work,  not sure what you are doing.
Reply:Given the size you've described, and Dab's suggested currect settings, I would suggest 1/16th dia tungsten, 2% thoriated,I r 2 a perfessional
Reply:Originally Posted by kbnitGiven the size you've described, and Dab's suggested currect settings, I would suggest 1/16th dia tungsten, 2% thoriated,
Reply:I strongly disagree with 1/16 tungsten. Too large.Should be 3/32 tungsten and .045 filler wire. #308 filler. The WP -20 TIG torch is rated at 0-150 amps.The  3/32 tungsten is the medium size tungsten for that torch.The 1/16 tungsten would be for amps higher than 150.
Reply:1/16 = 0.0625"3/32 = 0.0937"
Reply:Thanks, Prop...I r 2 a perfessional
Reply:I was going to say - I think he made a typo. I use 1/16th all the time for .035 SS material and below. Keep your tip sharp, very narrow and close to the material...move fast.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneI was going to say - I think he made a typo. I use 1/16th all the time for .035 SS material and below. Keep your tip sharp, very narrow and close to the material...move fast.
Reply:I was referring to Donald's post. I think he was thinking of 1/8th tungsten. A 1/16th tung is smaller than a 3/32 tung. He was also saying 1/16th is for OVER 150 amps. However, 150-160 is about the max. limit for a 1/16th tung. Again, I think he might have been thinking of a 1/8th tung, not sure...I use 1/16th to weld .035 - 1/8'' SS metal all day long. Yes, that is a good start.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneI was referring to Donald's post. I think he was thinking of 1/8th tungsten. A 1/16th tung is smaller than a 3/32 tung. He was also saying 1/16th is for OVER 150 amps. However, 150-160 is about the max. limit for a 1/16th tung. Again, I think he might have been thinking of a 1/8th tung, not sure...I use 1/16th to weld .035 - 1/8'' SS metal all day long. Yes, that is a good start.
Reply:Originally Posted by Propulsion1/16 = 0.0625"3/32 = 0.0937"
Reply:No problem on the 3/32.  I was too busy to pick up supplies yesterday.I'll look for an online welding shop to get rods.  Anyone have an online place they like or does everyone shop local.  I have a couple shops here, but the one close to me, I like, wants me to buy packs of rods where I might just need 5.