Mig tool steel?

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HI, all;  I'm new to the forum but not to welding.  I'm used to welding mild steel, but have a need to try to weld a split in  the jaw of a handheld electric metal shear.  I expect to pre- and post heat it, but my question is:  Can I weld it with a mig and stainless wire?  I ask because I don't have any stainless rods for my stick welder.  Thank you for any suggestions.RickA
Reply:Originally Posted by RickAHI, all;  I'm new to the forum but not to welding.  I'm used to welding mild steel, but have a need to try to weld a split in  the jaw of a handheld electric metal shear.  I expect to pre- and post heat it, but my question is:  Can I weld it with a mig and stainless wire?  I ask because I don't have any stainless rods for my stick welder.  Thank you for any suggestions.RickA
Reply:You can get tool steel electrodes for your stick welder. I believe they are a bit pricey though.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I would say TIG is most definitely your best bet here.  However if all you have available is MIG and Stick, then definitely go with the stick.  It's going to produce a much deeper penetrating weld without all the cold lap and cold starts you get with MIG.  Whether it's stainless or tool steel I would go with Stick no question.
Reply:Thank you for your replies.  I'm convinced, won't try Mig.  I't'd be worth the cost of a lb. of rod to save the shear- it's rated to cut 12 ga steel.  It had been broken and welded before and I'm just trying to fix it where the old weld started to split.Rick A.
Reply:is it a forged piece?  I agree with pre/post heat, but what about hardening or tempering?  Or would post heat temper it?Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:I welded shear blades almost everyday for 8 years. I worked in a large stamping plant and welded and built up the cutting edges. I sure wouldn't mig it with any wire. I stick welded all the ones i did and my buddy chose TIG for the ones he did. I used Crown Alloys AH 20 and he used AH 10 for TIGhttp://www.crownalloys.com/products.phpThe biggest thing you have to watch for is the type of steel which in unknown. It could be air hard, oil hard or water hard and they each take different rods. Maybe you can pick up another blade or have one cut out on a Laser. Just my thoughts...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun