Stainless Cooktop HELP

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I was asked by one of the local deli's if i could weld a bead around the edge of their griddle because its leaking grease. I plan on tigging it in small sections, i would imagine warpage will ruin the whole thing. I havent tig welded ss since i was in school years ago and im not sure what kind of filler to use?? is this thing going to be too greasy and impossible to weld? heres a picture of what im dealing with, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated  sorry its sideways, every time i try and post a picture that i took with my iphone it does that -NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:I've only done, I think two of these.The griddle plate may be ground steel-not SS.... heavy, thick plate.You'll need some amps to get wetting on this plate.I'd be surprised if if was SS.309L is preferred for steel/SS.The griddle needs to be shutoff the night before, to cool down.The factory barely tacks the SS sheet fence to the griddle plate.Need to scrape, blow, wash the grease out of the tight gaps, as best you can. There may only be some areas that have come loose, so just weld those.What you don't get cleaned out will blow back at you, etc.--thisis a job you just soldier thru. Have extra tungstens on hand, you'll be usingthem and re-sharpening.Tacks about 1" apart, then short welds, backstepping the weldsstarting at the outer edges and working in towards the plate centers.and moving around. I do water spray cooling with air blowoff tohelp control SS distortion.With the attendant setup/teardown, and welding hassle-thisisn't a 5 min. ZIP job--despite what a customer may think, socharge accordingly.You'll need to be good at letting the puddle on the plate, wash upand kiss the vertical SS fence, without blowing thru. Your lack of current TIGexperience ain't gonna make the job-easier.Last edited by dave powelson; 12-16-2011 at 08:37 PM.Reason: correctionBlackbird
Reply:The griddle plate may be ground steel-not SS.... heavy, thick plate.
Reply:I thought most griddles were cast iron?????-- fredLincoln 180C MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by fredfI thought most griddles were cast iron?????
Reply:Originally Posted by fredfI thought most griddles were cast iron?????
Reply:I have a restaurant stove with a griddle in my kitchen and I just checked my griddle. 1" steel plate, and the grease trap ( alley ) is SS.Instead of all that fussing about getting all the grease out can't you get a rosebud on it heat it up till all the grease is burned out? I was thinking that after that put a abrasive wheel on a skilsaw, use the depth of cut and set it to just scuff the corner clean.Think it will be tricky to weld though, real thin to thick is always a little tough, add stainless to the mix.
Reply:Originally Posted by fredschromI have a restaurant stove with a griddle in my kitchen and I just checked my griddle. 1" steel plate, and the grease trap ( alley ) is SS.Instead of all that fussing about getting all the grease out can't you get a rosebud on it heat it up till all the grease is burned out? I was thinking that after that put a abrasive wheel on a skilsaw, use the depth of cut and set it to just scuff the corner clean.Think it will be tricky to weld though, real thin to thick is always a little tough, add stainless to the mix.
Reply:" Out of sight-out of mind. 6" to 12" thick. I'll never eat there."I wasn't talking welding that in place, I was thinking moving it where it can be worked on. Yeah I want some grinding dust and welding crud with my hash browns and eggs.Another thought that nobody might care is if you weld the inside of the gutter you will leave a seam. My wife refuses to clean mine so I get the job, when I clean mine I use a straight edge spatula, almost like a bent chisel to clean that gutter so a true 90 on the angles makes it possible to clean.
Reply:I used to do work in restaurants.  Get your money first or when you are done.   This is the reason I stopped.  "Its a 5 minute job"    It takes an hour just to get there and set up your stuff.Working in a Chinese restaurant.  Grinding on stainless counter top with sparks going everywhere.  No one cared.  Then I looked over and a guy had a large bowl of frozen chicken wings.  He was banging them on the floor to break them up.   NOT in the bowl.     Surprising what you see in kitchens.Good luck, It sounds like the job is a b*tch.Take Pictures DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I will be bringing the top back to my shop to work on it, so i dont have to worry about fire hazards and all that other wonderful stuffI think im going to line it up to do wednesday, ill take plenty of pics-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:Have you thought about ditching the existing rim and making a new one with a thicker material, so it's easier to weld? 1/8" SS flat bar comes to mind.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Have you thought about ditching the existing rim and making a new one with a thicker material, so it's easier to weld? 1/8" SS flat bar comes to mind.
Reply:got good news! found the crack, it was along the "grease gutter"Heated the plate a little with O/A, cleaned the crack out for about 45 min and welded it up without any problems. 309L @ 150amps with the pedal about 75%Ill put up some pics tomorrow-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600
Reply:Thank  you for the update.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:heres a few pics, the crack was about 14 inches long and it was along the joint where the grease tray and the hot plate meet. I welded the whole length of the grill to be safeNo stacks of dimes here, but i think it will stop the grease leak-NateMiller Trailblazer 302gMiller Spoolmatic 30aLN-25 x 2Idealarc SP200Hypertherm Powermax 600