[danielbuck]

I'm going to be making a shield that wraps around an open fireplace for a friend, which includes some doors/hinges. It will probably be just mild steel, probably 1/2" square tubing and expanded metal, if we go for the simpler design. Nothing heavy.

My question: is there any reason NOT to MIG weld this? I have been told that MIG welds are more brittle than TIG welds. I will be grinding down the visible welds smooth, so the look of the welds doesn't matter. Since the look of the weld doesn't matter, I was just going to MIG weld it for speed. Since it will be in front of a fireplace it will be subjected to alot of heating and cooling cycles, would this be bad for MIG welds? I honestly don't know how hot it will get, this is Southern California so we don't really need alot of heat from a fireplace, fireplaces here are usually used just for ambiance, so there probably won't be any raging fires in there.

Would MIG welds be in danger of cracking in this situation? Would it be better to TIG weld it? Or does it not really matter for something like this?




On a side note, I'm wondering what sort of finish could be used on the mild steel? I guess BBQ paint or automotive header paint would work, but is there any other type of finishing that might give interesting looks? Maybe like some sort of gun bluing or black oxide or something like that which isn't a coat, but more of a stain?

[jwright650]

There are lots of those things built using either mig(solid) or fluxcore wire. As for being brittle, no worries with welding mild steel, it is very forgiving.

[danielbuck]

There are lots of those things built using either mig(solid) or fluxcore wire. As for being brittle, no worries with welding mild steel, it is very forgiving.

thanks! MIG it will be then