stupid stainless question

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i know that for welding stainless with a mig it shows to need tri-mix.  will straight argon work?handler 187hobart air-force 625one old azz lincon cracker box
Reply:In my experience, no.  It's been a few years ago, but I seem to remember a very dull-colored weld, which wouldn't bond properly no matter what the voltage or wire speed was set at.  EDIT: Wait!  That might have beent straight argon, but it also could have been 88/10/2 which we were using with L56 (solid steel) wire.  I think our helium mix was like 90/10.  If you forgot to switch bottles when you switched wire, you knew immediately.Last edited by tbone550; 12-03-2010 at 07:10 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by poisonedbrewi know that for welding stainless with a mig it shows to need tri-mix.  will straight argon work?
Reply:Originally Posted by Ed.I did a couple of S/S boat anchors and some other S/S boat fittings using 100% argon and 0.8mm MIG wire 316S HISI about 13 years ago, using a 235amp Unimig. The anchors were made from 6mm and 8mm  s/s plate joined to a 25mm round shaft. Had to crank up the volts (all the way)  and wire speed to get penetration though. The weld beads were higher and a little bit lumpier than I like, but they held well.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550In my experience, no.  It's been a few years ago, but I seem to remember a very dull-colored weld, which wouldn't bond properly no matter what the voltage or wire speed was set at.  EDIT: Wait!  That might have beent straight argon, but it also could have been 88/10/2 which we were using with L56 (solid steel) wire.  I think our helium mix was like 90/10.  If you forgot to switch bottles when you switched wire, you knew immediately.
Reply:Yes, it will work as stated above. You will notice that even with higher voltage, you might not see the same wet edge on the puddle, the weld profile might be a little off. But yes, you will get a solid weld with it.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:i weld ss jet impellers at work for boats with straight argon. my experience is similar to the other guys here. the welds are dull grey, and stand very high, but when you are machining that is fine to work with.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:thank you, i thought it was possible.  i guess i'll start playin with some scrap an see if it will be ok.  once again, thank you.handler 187hobart air-force 625one old azz lincon cracker box
Reply:If this is for 'real' work, the answer would be NO.  You will not find any filler or process spec calling for plain argon with GMAW on steel, carbon or stainless or any other  steel 'flavor'.  The 'usual' solid-wire GMAW gases would be 98-2 Ar-O2 or maybe 95-5 Ar-CO2 or tri-mix for short-circuit stainless GMAW.And that's with stainless filler of the appropriate chemistry/alloy to match up or be compatible with the base material.Start playing around with 'other' gases or fillers and you are pretty much all on your own with the chemistry and metallurgy and parameters and weld properties and so forth.Me?  I have enough other things to worry about than trying to 'get by' with some gas or filler.  I'll use the 'recommended' stuff (from the welding filler makers and/or the machine makers and/or the gas 'makers') for the material I am working on and the process I am using.GMAW and stainless using short-circuit transfer?  Stainless filler and tri-mix gas for me.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:in an old lincoln book they made reference to using 75argon/25co2. We use it occasionaly at the shop and it works fairly well. much better than straight argon. the best bet would be using one of the recommended gases though. if you arent working on anything to critical, try the 75/25 before straight argon.
Reply:Originally Posted by nodak ironmanin an old lincoln book they made reference to using 75argon/25co2. We use it occasionaly at the shop and it works fairly well. much better than straight argon. the best bet would be using one of the recommended gases though. if you arent working on anything to critical, try the 75/25 before straight argon.
Reply:Another note, Tri-Mix runs a bit hotter (more heat into the metal).  Unless you are doing sheetmetal, you might want to 'splurge' for the tri-mix.Next question, how many LWSs actually stock anything but pure CO2, C25 and pure argon in smaller bottles?   My LWS will make a custom blend but they pretty much double the charge and I have to wait a week to get it.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX