Stainless?

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Finally decided I want to put together a sheet metal brake for my home shop.   It will be primarily used to bend sheet metal commonly used in the auto industry.   I found a DIY plan that I like and have most of the material laying around.  I have a Miller 135 MIG.I have a set of heavy duty McKinney Hinges that I'd like to use.  The plates are a tad over 1/8 inch thick.  But they appear to be made from Stainless. I can't find a part number on them or I'd look them up in McKinney's catalog.  They are magnetic if that makes a difference.My questions:Is there a way to confirm if they are in fact stainless, rather than carbon steel with a brushed nickle finish?I know with the right wire/gas combination you can weld carbon steel to stainless, but understand you need more heat with stainless.  Will my Miller 135 put out enough heat?If I can weld it, what wire/gas combo would you recommend?
Reply:If your going to weld them take a grinder and look at the sparks if there look same as stainless then  ER309L should work.
Reply:Originally Posted by T E BIf your going to weld them take a grinder and look at the sparks if there look same as stainless then  ER309L should work.
Reply:All metals have a differentiate spark pander.
Reply:Some stainless steels are magnetic.The hinges may just be plated.I would just weld them with 316 ss rod, OK for any steel it is likely to be."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:sorry good stainless is not magnetic it has to do withthe nickle the more nickle the better the stainless i worked for Rolls Royce and welded nickel/aluminum/bronzeits so soft when you weld it if you dip (touch the filler rod to the tungsten)you can wave it off Attached Images
Reply:309 is for welding miled steel to stainless steel
Reply:I have to agree, good stainless is defiantly not magnetic. Try sticking a magnet to a spoon or knife. If the stainless is decent, it should not stick. 316 grade is usually good food safe stainless and is supposed to be impervious to salt water and fuels.
Reply:Originally Posted by hp246Finally decided I want to put together a sheet metal brake for my home shop.   It will be primarily used to bend sheet metal commonly used in the auto industry.   I found a DIY plan that I like and have most of the material laying around.  I have a Miller 135 MIG.I have a set of heavy duty McKinney Hinges that I'd like to use.  The plates are a tad over 1/8 inch thick.  But they appear to be made from Stainless. I can't find a part number on them or I'd look them up in McKinney's catalog.  They are magnetic if that makes a difference.My questions:Is there a way to confirm if they are in fact stainless, rather than carbon steel with a brushed nickle finish?I know with the right wire/gas combination you can weld carbon steel to stainless, but understand you need more heat with stainless.  Will my Miller 135 put out enough heat?If I can weld it, what wire/gas combo would you recommend?
Reply:Originally Posted by oxygen454I have to agree, good stainless is defiantly not magnetic. Try sticking a magnet to a spoon or knife. If the stainless is decent, it should not stick. 316 grade is usually good food safe stainless and is supposed to be impervious to salt water and fuels.
Reply:That must have been quite the project Ed.H0ow do you balance something that huge?!?Each grade of stainless is used for a specific purpose, it is not inherently "bad or good". X2.
Reply:Thank you for all of the replies.  I guess I'll make my hinge out of mild steel instead.  Was just hoping to cut my fabrication time/expense.