Stainless Steel Welding?

[Justin & Muttley]

I have access to a nice supply of sheet stainless steel - is there any reason why I shoudn't use it to make repair panels for (the underside of) my bus?
It seems to make sense to use it for things like inner wheel arches etc - or am I missing something here?

 

[currylager]

I think you need a tig welder to weld stainless, i might be wrong but i dont think you can weld stainless to mild steel, hope this is of some help. :shock:

 

[Justin & Muttley]

:?

 

[pete nice]

You can weld stainless. You need a higher grade of wire than the grade of steel you are welding & a bottle of pure argon.

You can weld a low grade stainless with a normal mig welder but it's not very pretty.

This is a stainless exhaust, with a mild steel extension welded on. I just used my normal welder.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Looks alright to me - you obviously haven't the standard of my welding!!!

 

[currylager]

Sorry dudes, looks like i got that one wrong, looks like you do learn something every day 8)

 

[Till]

Hi J&M,i'm a welder by trade and as currylager says, it's not good pratice to weld stainless and mild steel together.You can get away with it but i wouldn't start replacing mild steel with stainless when repairing the chassis etc,the weld won't be as strong.As Pete says you can weld stainless with a mig but you need stainless wire and the argon gas.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Cheers Till,
That looks to be the definative answer!!!