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Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 2:07 am
by bb1127
Hello to all, I have a job welding 1/2” stainless and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on weld settings and tungsten and cup size? Will I need tungsten bigger than 3/32?
Thanks

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 6:41 am
by cj737
Plate? Tubing? Pipe? Application? Position?

3/32 tungsten is fine.
#8 or larger cup (me, I'd use a ceramic #12 Fupa)
Purge line and tinfoil at the ready.
Can't know the amps without the other details.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 8:34 am
by bb1127
It is plate, fillet welds flat on a table.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:04 pm
by Poland308
Is it beveled or just 2 plates flat togeather? Do you need full penetration? Can it be welded from both sides?

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 10:01 pm
by bb1127
It is not beveled but it can be if I need to. Full penetration. Yes it will be welded on all sides.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 10:27 pm
by cj737
Like pulling teeth...

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 5:50 am
by BillE.Dee
Ever hear of pocket teeth?

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:10 am
by tungstendipper
cj737 wrote:Like pulling teeth...
LOL!

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:25 am
by bb1127
Thanks guys y’all have really helped clear the water.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:20 pm
by weldin mike 27
In Australia we would never dream of welding stainless that thick with the tig. Mig all the way. Maybe even a dual shield flux core.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 9:31 pm
by bap_
The do make 308L stick rods and MIG wire for $$$.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2019 2:05 am
by weldin mike 27
Amazing what you can get in exchange for legal tender.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 12:58 pm
by VA-Sawyer
Unless you have a free source of Stainless tig rod, I think the cost of filler will be similar across the three methods. Time required will be the big factor.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:32 pm
by bap_
1/2 plate/bar is pretty doable with a good bevel/multipass weldment. So agreed, pretty much any process will do the job. Tig is what I would go for with stainless. Fit-up really tight.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 1:21 am
by weldin mike 27
Don't forget it's a fillet weld. I know it's a thing in the USA, but we hardly ever see structures welded with tig. Only pipes.

Re: Tig welding 1/2” stainless

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 3:19 am
by noddybrian
Norm in the UK for structural in 1/2" would be stick unless it's a high volume repetitive part - then Mig.