Mig or stick ?

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I have just started working for a new company that is mainly involved in architectual design and fabrication. We are currently working on a very large canopy which will be covered on top with glass panels. There are 20" dia. 3/16" thick 304 stainless tube across supported by the same as vertical columns fishmouthed. The foreman says he is going to join the 2 by stick welding them together in the shop. Why not just mig weld it? Do you get better penetration from stick? I dont have enough experience with stick. Attached Images
Reply:Is the wire and gas available in the shop? Or is it something that would have to be purchased? I would say if everything needed to mig them is in the shop then yeah id mig it. But if its a small amount of welding and perhaps they already have the stick electrodes, why not stick it. decisions decisions.....
Reply:Everything is available in the shop. I've been mig'n the stainless brackets all week. The owner was really concerned about penetration because of the over head weight load. Glass plus snow.
Reply:well thats the boss, i wouldnt argue with the boss. although mig would do just fine with penetration. is there lots of this to be welded? id maybe suggest mig because of its spead, beauty, and clean up time. dont pi$$ the boss off though!
Reply:In a shop environment I wouldn't want to go with stick.  Stick is fully capable of the job, but Mig will do it faster, and cleaner.  Penetration is relative to joint prep, and if they are that concerned with the strength then the joints need to be fitted and beveled for full penetration.  As stated above though, don't piss the boss off.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I use mig wire and tig in the shop and fluxcore and stick in the field.  I try to keep stick and fluxcore out of the shop, too much mess and smoke and slows down the job too.   Mig wire is much faster and cleaner in the shop.  When I use stick or fluxcore in the shop, I take the work outside whenever possible.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:With the 304 s.s. Stick welds look alot better. Mig welds tend to come out brown black and ugly on 304 in my experiance. When you get that stick rod set just right and your angle just right it flows slicker than owl dung, is easy (once everything is right) and looks great!Weldandpower 225Heliarc Rig for itTorchesect ect ectLifes Short WELD NAKEDLooking for a SA200
Reply:Maybe the best thing to do is ask the foreman why he chose stick over mig and see what his thinking is.  There may be more to this than what you think.  Also, it lets the foreman know you are interested in learning the best way to do your job, that can't hurt either.