I was wondering...........

admin

I'm starting to get all my filler arranged so i can find it at a glance and came across a couple pounds of some stainless filler .035  which I use a lot but don't remember what grade it is.  It would be 308 or 316.....anyway of figuring out what it is......  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:maybe bend it and try and tell which is "stiffer"?  I dont know but thats how I tell the difference in 1/6 4043 and 5356 alum rods when somebody screws around in my area at work.
Reply:Hello B_C, this may sound a bit flinstonish, however, if you have a known length of 316 of the same diameter and you use a couple of pliers to bend it and a length of your unknown rod within the same span of distance, the 316 grade is generally a bit softer than the 308 as I recall. Definitely not scientific, but sometimes we have to go with what will work. I have also done some color match type of welds on specific known grades of stainless sheet with various filler metal types and have noticed better bead color as a result, can't remember the specifics right now though. Good luck and best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Originally Posted by larpheadmaybe bend it and try and tell which is "stiffer"?  I dont know but thats how I tell the difference in 1/6 4043 and 5356 alum rods when somebody screws around in my area at work.
Reply:Hmmmmmmmmm its only about a pound or so, maybe I should toss it, or just use it for simple repairs on steel?  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CHmmmmmmmmm its only about a pound or so, maybe I should toss it, or just use it for simple repairs on steel?
Reply:316 or 304 is magnetic.  I don't recall right now.  Might research that angle.  Most filler rod has a smashed spot on the end with the mumbers stamped but not sure on that small of stuff.Dan
Reply:400 series of stainless is magnetic..Nothing is in the 300 series..,,,zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloIf you have some time to burn, then take a piece of sandpaper to it, and then wet it with salt water. If it is 308, you will catch some surface rusting in the scratches. If it is 316, you won't see much staining.A little pool acid can etch it, it does the same thing; sandpaper, acid, then mix a bit of salt water, and hit the rod. It'll show in a few days a little bit of rust, though you might need a magnifying glass to catch it. Or, use it on exhaust pipes and non critical SS repair work. Usually you need to save batch paperwork on rod for critical work anyhow, so you'd keep it well separate and labeled.
Reply:Originally Posted by DanD78316 or 304 is magnetic.  I don't recall right now.  Might research that angle.  Most filler rod has a smashed spot on the end with the mumbers stamped but not sure on that small of stuff.Dan
Reply:BTW...That .035 filler would be perfect when welding  stainless with a 1/16 tungsten on metal .049 or thinner.A lot of .035 filler for stainless is sold for artists making sculpture and other uses.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CI have a simple drop test that works great for aluminum   4043 makes a clank sound compared to 5356 which has a jingle sound  Try it you will see
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomThis may work because the 316 has molybdenum in it and the 308 does not.The molybdenum makes it more corrosion resistant in salt water.But you would weld 304 with 308.welding the 304 (most common) with 316 would not be a significant mismatch.i would save both wires.Are you sure the wires are not stamped. You may have to look with a magnifying glass.The filler wires used to be stamped on the round part and were not flattened like they are now wit the stamped number.