Alternatives to back purging SS

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Hi there,Kinda new to TIG but I have lots of interest.I was researching on back purging and alternatives and I found several ways to avoid backpurging - main use I see is SS pipe for exhaust manifods.What is your opinion on the following:1 - Flux Cored SS filler rod2- Flux Core3 - Ceramic Tape4 - Backing plate or pipe - either Al or CopperThanks,PauloE30isKing
Reply:The more you get into it the more you will find that short cuts tend to not go the way you want them to. Do it right the first time and avoid the headache.
Reply:All I use is SolarB weld flux for the inside of stainless pipe. Fast and economical. No purge required. I've never heard of flux core SS tig wire.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I haven't tried it, but I've heard the flux core TIG wire is pretty expensive, plus it leaves slag inside the pipe.How big is this exhaust manifold exactly? Small pipe doesn't take much argon to purge.Sure you can put a backing in there and it'll work fine, but can you get it back out?That ceramic tape is mostly used for structural and big pipe, it leaves a hell of a mess on the back side, what with leftover tape and glue and burnt up ceramic pieces.I guess it all depends on how big the pipe is.
Reply:SS tig rod is expensive, period. Never heard of flux cored tig rod. Who makes this rod? I believe your mixing that up with flux core wire for a mig welder? With tig welding, argon is the general shielding.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeSS tig rod is expensive, period. Never heard of flux cored tig rod. Who makes this rod? I believe your mixing that up with flux core wire for a mig welder? With tig welding, argon is the general shielding.
Reply:here's a video of the flux cored TIG wire, I notice they never show you a pic of the finished bead inside with the slag chipped off.http://www.welding-alloys.com/produc...w-product.htmlLast edited by TimmyTIG; 11-20-2012 at 12:06 AM.
Reply:Solar Flux.  I wouldn't use it for sanitary but it does work well in many applications.  I would avoid using Solar Flux in turbo manifolds unless you plan to pickle the inside of the manifold afterwards.  Flux flaking off the pipe can damage turbine wheels.  But it is great for all other exhaust applications and great for turbo stuff too if you can remove it afterwards.I will warn you, back purging my seem inconvenient now but once you see the cost of flux cored SS wire you will understand why back purging is still the standard practice.Last edited by 76GMC1500; 11-20-2012 at 01:15 AM.
Reply:Interesting.Looks to be something designed in England and sold more throughout Europe. There is only one contact location in the USA on their webpage, none in Canada and many in Europe.The inside of that 10" pipe doesnt look too bad from what I can see. But the outside of the weld, doesnt look great for tig.That filler wont pass for code work yet where I work.Last edited by snoeproe; 11-20-2012 at 07:43 AM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by weld.comWe get questions regarding Solar Flux all the time, so we did a video on it. All in all it works well, but if you have the ability to purge your part with Argon... It is the preferred method.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonHow is it going Mr Tig? Looks like you are at the spamming again. No linky????????????????????Were you not banned a while ago for spamming? Why don't you just buy your way in like others have?
Reply:Originally Posted by zapster...zap!
Reply:What about fiberglass backing tape? Is that a better option than ceramic backing tape? Or are they apples and oranges? I have found a few places that claim their fiberglass backing tape can bypass back purging altogether.Sorry I'm new to the welding world but quite curious
Reply:From the ones I saw, the ceramic-based backing tapes can withstand more heat from the puddle than the fiberglass-based ones.  So it all depends what thicknesses/amperages you will be welding at. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:Just purge the pipe, it is easier, simpler and no clean up, especially in a turbo manifold application
Reply:If you are worried about wasting argon for purging stick the end of the pipe in a barrel or tank and save the argon for the next project.
Reply:Stick welding? No worries for back purging
Reply:A great alternative, however not everyone can turn out a decent root pass with SS stick rods.It can certainly be done though especially with the right rods.I used to work for Boehler and we had 4 different types of 308L rods (the same happened with 316L) to cover every scenario.
Reply:Helpful information thanks everybody!
Reply:Solar flux is good stuff... Been using it for stainless welding for at least 15 yrs.