Stainless or not, what type of gas is required to weld in TIG setup

[cubangt]

So this past weekend i picked up from local Tractor Supply some 16ga x 1/2" tubing and some 5/16 solid rod with intentions on making a small stand for a piece i made. Not having had time yet to actually get out to the garage to begin working on it, i wanted to make sure before i even begin whether or not i have what i need. So not paying attention at the store when i found it, im not 100% sure yet if the tubing is stainless or just cold roll steel. I know there are some tests i can do, magnet, spark/grind test and so on, but IF it is SS, will 100% argon work to weld it? and can it be welded to regular steel(horseshoes)


I was reading lastnight that you need a different mix to weld SS and no where could i find a clear answer on whether you could weld SS to different type of steel.

I only have at the moment 100% argon and 75/25 mix for my Mig..

Once i do the tests on the material, ill know for sure what i have, but if it is SS, will either of the gases i have work?

[H80N]

100% argon for TIG...... as a general rule........

(with a few special case exceptions)

[cubangt]

thanks, so the few places i found mention of argon/helium mix is for MIG?

[H80N]

thanks, so the few places i found mention of argon/helium mix is for MIG?

argon/helium mix is helpful to put more heat into aluminum TIG if your welder is a little underpowred......

also...... argon/hydrogen mix is sometimes used for SS TIG

[cubangt]

ok, cool, hopefully its not SS only cause i didnt want to have mixed materials, but if i can use it and weld it, then dont matter..

thank you

[H80N]

Here is an article that explains further

Simplifying shielding gas selection
How different gases and gas blends affect your welding application


http://www.thefabricator.com/article...-gas-selection

[cubangt]

nice, thank you

[H80N]

ok, cool, hopefully its not SS only cause i didnt want to have mixed materials, but if i can use it and weld it, then dont matter..

thank you

You should be just fine with %100 ARGON

[cubangt]

Just sucks, that i need to add the stand after i had it finished and painted.

But really appreciate the information, thank you

[ryanjones2150]

If do end up tig welding stainless to carbon steel, get some 309 tig wire or you'll be sad.

[cubangt]

Time permitting, ill be testing the tubing i have tonight and cutting up the pieces i need.. If not already called local metal shop and i can pick up 20ft tubing for $7, so not a huge loss if what i currently have doesnt work well for me..

[RobC]

... can pick up 20ft tubing for $7 ...

Would a 1" hunk of Rebar with a kink in it look more like a flower stem than a SS Pipe?

PS: Looks quite good so far. I can 'see it', a Sunflower, unless it's supposed to be a Daffodil.

[cubangt]

well the tubing was to make a stand hinge, not the best weld, as it was little hard to get under the tubing to get a nice bead between the shoe and tube..
But if i make anymore, the hinge will be part of the first layer so i can get to it correctly

[cubangt]

And suppose to be sunflower since that is what she liked/wanted.

[RobC]

... if i make anymore, the hinge will be part of the first layer so i can get to it correctly

Welding, fixed with love and a bit of paint.