What filler metal doesn't rust?

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I noticed these welds on a trailer. They've been out in the elements forever, and these welds are not rusting. The trailer is steel. Are the welds from a stainless rod? I don't know, and have never used a SS rod, but can you weld regular steel with stainless rod? If so, what are the benefits / drawbacks?Now I would imagine this is some kind of hard facing rod. It looks the same as the other, but I would think it was different. Again, no rust."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:They appeaar to be Stainless.  I have used 309 stainless on mild steel.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I use a certanium 707,that can b used with structural / or dissimilar steels,and it won't rust.
Reply:Also, nickle rods don't rust, Ni55 and Ni99
Reply:The trailer welds on the trailer are probably ss.  They weld great even on an ac buzzbox as well as long as you don't have to buy them ($$$$$)The welds on the dozer blade could be ss or they could be some wear resistant nickle alloy rod.  ss rods are great for putting ID on stuff, thieves really need to grind a lot to get rid of it."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:Originally Posted by noritess rods are great for putting ID on stuff, thieves really need to grind a lot to get rid of it.
Reply:7018 is around $2/ lb and stainless is $5+/lb. Stainless generally is stronger than 7018. It's not as easy to weld with as 7018, especially out of position. Size selection is about the same as 7018, but I had a factory rep tell me that they suggest one size smaller than you would run 7018. There is no advantage to using SS on a mild steel joint. If you do decide to try some, be careful with the slag. It will pop off like a bullet as the weld cools, and will still be hot enough to stick to your skin. Keep those safety glasses on!
Reply:For what we're talking about here, I would say that they just used (quite badly) whatever rod they had on hand. However, sometimes there are advantages to using SS rods on steel, SS work hardens, which can be useful for some applications, it can also be used to avoid preheating to a certain extent when welding some alloy steels, and can virtually eliminate the chance hydrogen cracking in some applications.Last edited by Baila La Pinza; 06-28-2011 at 08:17 AM.
Reply:Stickman if you ever get down our way give me a holler. I've got some 316L stainless rod you can try out. If it works for you you can have it. I recall a fella I worked with welded up a die frame with stainless rod. It was I believe 4" square tubing. Welds were pretty as could be...almost looked like tig. He worked hard on it all morning. When we came back from lunch every weld had a crack right down the center. I don't recall what rod it was but I know it wasn't 309. AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Originally Posted by welds4d7018 is around $2/ lb and stainless is $5+/lb. Stainless generally is stronger than 7018.
Reply:SS was the only rod I trusted to weld picking eyes on manganese wear metal for rock crushers. After welding one on I would hit it w/ a slag hammer. If it didn't ring like a tuning fork I broke it off and did it over. Had a close call once when someone welded them on w/ 7018 and one eye broke off.                                            MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by SmokinPRanchStickman if you ever get down our way give me a holler. I've got some 316L stainless rod you can try out. If it works for you you can have it. I recall a fella I worked with welded up a die frame with stainless rod. It was I believe 4" square tubing. Welds were pretty as could be...almost looked like tig. He worked hard on it all morning. When we came back from lunch every weld had a crack right down the center. I don't recall what rod it was but I know it wasn't 309. Al
Reply:Not so sure about a welding lesson...I know just enough to be dangerous. But yeah we'll fiddle around with the 300...I ain't done much with it other than try it out since been so many other things goin on. Custer Park don't make it on a lot of maps. Were actually closer to Essex than the "town" of Custer Park. But yeah just south of Wilmington and southeast of Braidwood. You're welcome down any time. Always interesting when couple rod burners get together.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Originally Posted by davinwheelI believe stainless has a lower yield strength than 7018.
Reply:Also...welds made with stainless steel filler rod CAN NOT BE CUT WITH A CUTTING TORCH!  They will melt, but not "burn".Century AC/DC 250 Amp & Midstates 300 Amp Industrial AC stick welders, Century Flux core 80 amp. wire feed welder  Harris Oxy-Acet. cutting & welding outfit:SEE MY INFORMATIVE VIDEOS AT http://www.youtube.com/user/alpho52
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusSS was the only rod I trusted to weld picking eyes on manganese wear metal for rock crushers. After welding one on I would hit it w/ a slag hammer. If it didn't ring like a tuning fork I broke it off and did it over. Had a close call once when someone welded them on w/ 7018 and one eye broke off.                                            Mike
Reply:Looks like stainless to me. You can certainly TIG dissimilar metals. Sometimes when we don't have the right sizes in stock, we'll weld stainless and mild steel together, either stainless or mild steel rod will work....
Reply:I use stainless rod a lot.When my supply ran low I bought 50 lb of assorted stainless for 2.50 to 3 .00 a pound shipping included on ebay.I use a lot of 308 and 309.Try stainless it has a soft arc and flowes easy.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmer37I use stainless rod a lot.When my supply ran low I bought 50 lb of assorted stainless for 2.50 to 3 .00 a pound shipping included on ebay.I use a lot of 308 and 309.Try stainless it has a soft arc and flowes easy.