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Hi All- I have a product I have been making for the last couple years out of 16 gauge 1 1/2" square tubing. It's basically a 2' x 2' frame. I have always mig welded these I generally have quite a few to do. We recently made a stainless prototype which I tigged, but there is no way I can manufacture to scale with tig, it would take way to long. What would be the best mig set up for this? I have a MM 252 but am wondering if a pulsed mig would have significant benefits. Thanks.
Reply:depends on why your switching to stainless and the loads it has to hold and the amount of corrosion Resistance level your looking forVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:The reason for switching to stainless is we're having corrosion issues if powder coating gets chipped. We were using a duplex finish but galvanizing proved to have to inconsistent of a finish. These are part of a bench so the load is minimal. The plan is to use 304 as 316 would be cost prohibitive.
Reply:I would suggest using 308LSi solid wire filler metal and 90/7.5/2/5 He/Ar/CO2 shielding gas. You can easily weld this with short circuit and get good results on your 16 gage tubing. The high helium Tri-mix is more expensive; but the finished bead quality is worth it, IMO.Pulsed MIG would enable you to use a spray transfer on that thinner material; which might be faster, or not. 16 gage should be easy to weld with short circuit, and you can weld out of position.Based on what you've described I'm not seeing a good reason to invest in new welding equipment. If you have other projects on thicker stainless to weld, then the story changes.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector |
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