Someone brought me an exhaust system that needs to be welded. Only thing is that the material is T304 stainless. (this is the kit: http://www.kteller.com/store/p...d/149 ) I was wondering if theres anyway to weld that with stainless with a mig, without gas (never had enough money to buy gas) Is it as simple as changing my wire or can it not be done at all without gas? TIA!

 

well im not a fan of mig welding without gas at all (its messy and doesnt look good, and generally isnt as strong), so you would have to get some flux core wire...and now that i think about it im not even sure if they make flux core ss wire (someone else chime in on this), however if you get a bottle, it will just take changing the wire, although you can weld ss with regular mild steel wire, its all around better to use the right wire for the job

 

I never have heard of flux cored stainless wire, i think your outta luck, i guess they assumed anyone working with stainless would have enough cash to buy a gas setup! But seriously... you would need to use gas.. or just have someone locally weld it for you.

 

I have used flux-core wire to weld stainless before. It actually works out fine, and mysteriously is still rust-resistant. Don't ask me why.

 

You can just weld it with regular mild steel wire (flux core). It won't look pretty, but I don't think you are expecting pretty...

 

I'd be pissed if I brought my car in somewhere for a stainless exhaust install and they used mild steel wire to mig it up, not to mention flux-cored mild steel wire.

Either fork over the whole $80 for a tank of gas or send your customer somewhere else. Don't dick them over to make a few bucks.

To mig stainless you'd need Tri-Mix gas and filler wire that is graded higher than the material you're working with (if welding 304 use at least 308 wire).

 

I used basic wire and argon to weld stainless, no problemos...
You could even arc weld stainless.

 

Basically.... If this is for a friend who just needs the **** slapped together... u can weld it w/ fluxcore.

If its for a paying customer... do it right.

 

Its a friend of a friend and he said if i cant do it his just going to go to any muffler shop. So i thought i might be able to do it and its mixed reviews here. Im going to go to a welding supply shop by my house and see what there prices are for gas and the right wire and see whats up.

Thanks for the insite