MIG Stainless

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I have a big stainless job coming up.. Was all ready to TIG it (not that I wanted to due to the amount of welds needing done in a short period of time) and the boss bought me a new Multimatic 200.. Now its getting MIG welded. 16 Gauge SS 2" square tubing.. Thoughts? Advice? I never Migged SS before! I was told by LWS it runs the same as welding Carbon steel just gotta make sure the stainless is super clean (no diffrent then TIG) what should I run my wire speed and heat at roughly? How far can I run before it starts to warp? Going to pick up a roll of SS wire and tri mix gas tomorrow (Thursday) and job starts Friday.
Reply:With stainless I would PUSH the gun keeping the puddle in the gas coverage....Not sure how good your MIG welding is but I ALWAYS  run some scrap pieces before I start on a customers parts......Take a moment and get your parameters correct..  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:For the machine set up isn't really different of any others, should judge with your experience to not make a ****ty job, as BC said be sure to try before on the same thickness material and set up^your machine.A good advice that you probably don't know because you never MIG SS, when you TIG SS your work do not produce spatters and slag and other dirty, everything stay clean, but consider that your MIG will produce some, and because its SS its probably a nice looking job, so to not damage the any part of you SS plate, especially if you weld on the ''nice side'' of the job, be sure to protect with a thin aluminum sheet each side of your join where you have to weld, so this way any slag of spatters can damage the reste of the job! When you work in a shop where the polisher is next to your work table you learn some tips to not make him pissed!Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:Well when it comes to carbon steel MIG I am really good. I have done everything from structural where every weld is mag inspected to decorative where the customer demands good looking welds for his $10k staircase handrail lolI would have thought dragging would keep the puddle in the gas longer so glad you pointed out to push!When I pick up my gas and wire I am going to practice. I also found out the Multimatic has a dummy feature where i can set my thickness and wire size and it will autoset for me so that should help a great deal!
Reply:You asked about warpage - all I can say is that SS will warp faster than steel because it doesn't transfer heat as well.  If you don't have wire yet, be sure not to get .023 for that size tubing - it won't handle enough amperage to get the penetration you want.  I have used .030 on 16 ga 304 square tubing with excellent results in all positions.  About six months ago I built a 315' all-SS fence around a customer's business, but I've already forgotten the weld settings.  I do remember they weren't the same as my settings for steel, and I also remember having nearly zero spatter and a nicely burnt-in profile when I hit the right 'window.'  I had a thread on it here on WW - maybe you can find it with the search engine, or by searching my past posts once you click on my user name.  I remember SundownIII being particularly helpful at the time.Last edited by tbone550; 11-28-2012 at 10:07 PM.
Reply:You won't have much in the way of adjustments available to you with the multimatic.  Pretty much set the parameters and thats it.
Reply:Originally Posted by LayoutManFor the machine set up isn't really different of any others, should judge with your experience to not make a ****ty job, as BC said be sure to try before on the same thickness material and set up^your machine.A good advice that you probably don't know because you never MIG SS, when you TIG SS your work do not produce spatters and slag and other dirty, everything stay clean, but consider that your MIG will produce some, and because its SS its probably a nice looking job, so to not damage the any part of you SS plate, especially if you weld on the ''nice side'' of the job, be sure to protect with a thin aluminum sheet each side of your join where you have to weld, so this way any slag of spatters can damage the reste of the job! When you work in a shop where the polisher is next to your work table you learn some tips to not make him pissed!
Reply:Started the project today. looks amazing! Couldnt ask for better results. First time Ive had this problem tho.. My hood is a lil to dark and I am having a problem seeing what I am doing. I am used to the nice bright flash of stick or high heat mig or tig. Multimatic 200.. Best welder I ever used! Love it!!!
Reply:Glad you like the Multimatic.  There is not a lot of info out there on that little machine yet.
Reply:what tri-mix are you using:Helium-Argon-CO2 or Argon-Helium-CO2?
Reply:Yeah the Multimatic is amazing. I havent tigged or sticked with it yet but it will mig up to 1/2 inch on 220 so i dont see a reason to have any other machine! And its only 30 pounds! My favorite part since Im goin up and down stairs all day. It has a inverter in it so you can run it off however much extension cord you need. I run 150 feet of cord everyday.For the stainless job I used Helium-Argon-CO2.. which is what the multimatic recommended on the digital display when I turned it to the ss setting lmaoLead, Certified welder8 yrs Heavy Equipment, Structural, DecorativeMIG TIG ARC Spray Arc, Pulse CS SS Alum.Multimatic 200Millermatic 130Millermatic 210Lincoln Ranger 225Lincoln Invertec V155Harris Torch setHobart Tigwave x2
Reply:Not the greatest camera but here is some of the welds I put down today Attached ImagesLead, Certified welder8 yrs Heavy Equipment, Structural, DecorativeMIG TIG ARC Spray Arc, Pulse CS SS Alum.Multimatic 200Millermatic 130Millermatic 210Lincoln Ranger 225Lincoln Invertec V155Harris Torch setHobart Tigwave x2
Reply:I wanna work in that shop.__________________
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CNot sure how good your MIG welding is but I ALWAYS  run some scrap pieces before I start on a customers parts......Take a moment and get your parameters correct..
Reply:Originally Posted by zekeI wanna work in that shop.
Reply:A guidance that you probably don't know because you never MIG SS, when you TIG SS your perform do not generate spatters and slag and other unclean, everything remain fresh, but consider that your MIG will generate some, and because its SS its probably a awesome looking job, so to not harm the any aspect of you SS dish, especially if you weld on the ''nice side'' of the job, be sure to secure with a slim metal piece each aspect of your be a aspect of where you have to weld, so this way any slag of spatters can harm the reste of the job!Algonquin gym