Stainless Tractor Pockets

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This is a first post from a year long reader looking for advice and feedback on some recent MIG welds preformed on 16 gauge 304 stainless.The current project is a set of hanging boxes for our tractor. Someplace proper to store the loose chains and strapping which we use all the time on our farm.The main reason for building such a non-critical item out of stainless steel is mostly to gain more experience with the materiel, as I have a number of upcoming projects which will require stainless construction.I have already polished box #1 and just finished welding up the outside of box #2.First, some photos of the completed boxes:Box #1 all polished up:http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...r1Ear0001w.jpgA slightly wider Box #2 still in the rough:http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...r2Ear0002w.jpgFront and back of boxes side by side:http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...2Ears0004w.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...rBack0041w.jpgNote: The heavy brown staining around the welds is the resulting post-weld residue from Walter brand Anti-Spatter Spray. These stains come off with a bit of light sanding (which is a LOT easier that removing even a little spatter from stainless), but does anyone here know of a chemical solvent for easily removing these stains? (Besides pickling paste, which I am trying to avoid for safety and disposal reasons.)Next up, pictures of the example welds in question that I am looking for feedback on. Machine type: Hobart Handler 187Voltage range: 19-21.Settings on the machine are: Wire Speed "35", Voltage "4".These last numbers probably won't be as informative, but I thought they might be useful to someone else with the same welder.Gas used is TriMix 90-7.5-2.5 flowing at 25 CFH.Torch angle: 45º (aimed straight into the corner from the outside).Travel speed: ~15 IPM with a drag angle.Stickout: ~1/4"These are straight stringer outside corner welds made with 308LSi 0.030 wire on short circuit settings. Solar Flux paste was used on the backside of these welds (leaves a black residue), I am planning to setup with an argon back-purge in the near future. Aluminum heat-sinks were used where possible on flat surfaces.Are there any concerns regarding aluminum contaminating stainless steel if I were to use it as a backing?Three photos from the top:Note: All ink marks on the metal were written AFTER welding, not before (keeping those welds clean).http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...FaceT0016w.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...FaceT0017w.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...FaceT0018w.jpgThree from the side of the same weld for a better profile:http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...FaceS0025w.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...FaceS0026w.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...FaceS0027w.jpgBackside of same weld:Note: I should probably paint on a wider strip of flux next time, or get a back-purge running. You can also see the reduction in surface oxidation on the side that had an aluminum heat-sink.http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...dBack0032w.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...dBack0033w.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...dBack0034w.jpgRight now I'm working on developing the consistency to get an even melt-through on all of my outside corner welds. Box #2 has notably more reliable penetration than Box #1, so I seem to be making progress on than front.One problem that continues to trouble me is excessive reinforcement, which can be ground down with a flap wheel, but I would prefer to improve my welding technique and reduce cleanup time.I have read that this is a common problem with outside corners on thin materiel and was hoping for some pointers.Extra photo of a fillet weld on the underside of the box:Started by making two fillet welds moving in opposite directions, but then made the mistake of trying to stitch them together in the middle with a short third weld and forgot to clean off that tough oxide layer on the previous beads (oops). Oh well, thats what practice is for, and all seams need to be ground smooth anyways.http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/WebWeld...illet0037w.jpgLooking foreword to becoming an active part of this forum.Mr Grinch.
Reply:Nice looking project! I've never migged stainless but i've done a bunch of mig and grind boxes similar to yours...but in aluminum. The process wasn't always pretty... but the end result all polished up looked great. Never took pics, though....POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:Update with more photos of the boxes all cleaned up and installed.Box #1http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/Tractor...ttedFrontw.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/Tractor...dBacksidew.jpgBox #2http://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/Tractor...ttedFrontw.jpghttp://sugarmtnfarm.com/misc/Tractor...dBacksidew.jpgAlso a link to a blog post about them on our family's web site.http://SugarMtnFarm.com/2013/09/09/tractor-ears/And a link to the bending jig that I used to make those curves.http://SugarMtnFarm.com/2013/08/10/metal-bender/We have a neighbor who has made some MIG welding repairs to our tractor in the past and he has agreed to spend some time this weekend helping me with my technique. Looking foreword to it.Planning to bring him some of our grass fed pork as a thank-you.
Reply:They look like they're sitting pretty on your tractor, nice work
Reply:One issue with mig and excessive reinforcement is that you are limited by the constant supply of wire compared to say tig. Dropping down in wire size will give you a larger range of control.Next 2 things comes from experience with students. 1st many new students don't "prep" their outside corners right, They want to but things up tight vs just having the inside corners touch leaving a "V" they fill. 2nd thing is many students are locked in on the cursive e or circular pattern. This means they spend more time over any given point and thus deposit more material. Not a bad thing when doing T joints, but a nightmare when trying to do small outside corners. I usually suggest they go to straight stringer with minimal motion vs trying to manipulate the torch over a tiny area while moving rapidly enough to keep reinforcement reasonable. I can make that e work for a demo, but it's tough even with my experience doing these welds..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:Did you put a hole in the bottom of those for the water and dirt to drain out ?
Reply:Originally Posted by 12345678910Did you put a hole in the bottom of those for the water and dirt to drain out ?