Stainless 304 with mig

[Tiger]

hi, I'm putting together a 304 header kit in my chevelle and I spot weld the tubes with my mig using stainless wire and mix gas (argon+co2??)
the plan is to have the headers tig welded by my buddy but he is running his shop and doesnt have much time.
what do you think, should I weld it with mi mig or should I wait for him to TIG weld it for me.

same Q for my stainless exhaust system.

thanks

[Matt@RFR]

Completely person preference. Either process will produce good welds on exhaust parts.

Use 308 wire on 304 base metal, and if you've got any stainless-to-mild steel welds to do, use 309 wire. And for best results, use tri-mix as your gas.

Do a search for more information. It's been discussed before.

[Tiger]

thanks Matt!

I'm using 308wire and the material is 304

the exhaust tubes are 316 (to be matched with 304) so I ordered some 316 wire today.

I think I have decided to let my buddy weld the headers with a tig and do the exhaust myself using the 316 wire.

[Matt@RFR]

May I ask why the exhaust is 316? That's kinda odd.

[Bigblue73]

Are you using 316L sanitary tubing - .065 wall. We use 316L wire on all of our stainless fabrications.

[Tiger]

hmmm, nice question.....
thing is that I ordered a bunch of 3" bends, two transitions from 3,5" to 3" (the collector on the headers are 3,5") and a whole 3" tube (20ft) to build my exhaust.
when the stuff arrived, everything was 304 except the tube which was 316.
I didnt realize until the tube was cut in three parts so I "forgot" to tell them.
I guess its not much need for it but I'll have some 8ft of 316 under my car :-)

If I remember right its 0,065" but to tell you if its 316L or 316 I'd have to look at it....

[Matt@RFR]

I figured you bought the straight tube from a general metal supplier and not a place that specialises in exhaust stuff. It doesn't really matter other than 316 is more expensive. I was just curious.

For what you're doing, just use the 308 wire on everything.

[Tiger]

no problem

I'll finish the 308 wire I have but the new one I ordered was 316 due to only a slight price difference.
here in Italy its kinda expensive though about $80 for 308 and about $90 for 316, to bad we are talking 5kg (11lbs) rolls :o(.
"normal" wire is only $10 though

[Matt@RFR]

What brand wire are you buying??? My local welding supply just quoted me $131 for .035" 308L on a 10# spool. Brand is Midalloy which isn't my favorite, but they make good wire for sure. I know money is allways a factor, but good quality wire makes a huge difference.

[Tiger]

wow! on that I have no idea !??!!
Once a year I just call up the guy who sold me the welder (Lincoln sp 170) order the stuff and he brings it out to my office.
I've been happy with it so far

I think he'll pass next week or so so I can let you know then.

I dont know why but the little man inside my brain (to much welding fumes lately) tells me Lincoln wire, at least for the "normal" one but I dont even know if they make wire.

[Matt@RFR]

Lincoln wire is my favorite. Hobart wire is what most people get, and I can't stand it! Although wire preference is different for everyone.

[Tiger]

maybe the little man in my head isnt at all that stupid then.......
I'll get back to you on it when I have it in hand.

thanks for all the help so far

[Tiger]

I got the 316 stainless wire today, the guy told me its from Lincoln.
The "normal" wire is from a general Italian supplier he have been using for thirty years.

He kind of talked me into getting a lincoln 205 inverter TIG (ac/dc) as my next machine. what do you think?