Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

I had a try of a TIG welder this week on some stainless tubing, it was only a quick try and with no purge gas on the inside of the pipe but the welds were much nicer with no filler rod.

If I use just fused welds with no filler rod and purge the pipes with argon will it be strong enough for exhaust manifolds or will it lead to cracks ?

Thanks for any info.

Mark

andy escos

iTrader: (1)

fusing the two peaces of metal together is not going to be strong enough you have got to use the filler rod or it will break

Steve Bedding

Yes you need to use filler wire and purge the pipe, when you purge the pipe it welds inside as well as outside.

Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

The the weld I did hardly pulled in at all as there was next to no gap between the pipes, I was hoping it would be strong enough to save me having to smooth all the welds down so they could not be seen

Any tips for TIG welding stainless ?

I've got a nice new TIG at work but I'm still waiting for the argon to show up before I can practice.

cheers

Mark

Steve Bedding

Make sure you use pureshield argon, and tape up both ends of the pipe, put the purge pipe one end and put a pen tip hole the other, switch the purge on and put your tongue near the small hole to feel the argon.

Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the tip, BOC pureshield argon is what I have on order

The inside of the stainless pipe I welded with the filler rod but with no purge gas was not very nice at all, lumpy bits stuck out that will ruin the gas flow

Mark

Steve Bedding

When you use purge the inside will be as smooth as the outside.

steanlol

Run the purge at about 5 to 8 litre"s a min on your flow meter

If you got some short pieces of pipe try it out and see what you think , always make sure your filler wire is clean and not contaminated , just like the pipe your about to weld .

Twellsie

iTrader: (1)

argon backing has nothing to do with penetration, it just prevents the oxidisation

zetaboostboy522bhp

just keep practising mate until you are happy , if you are going to back purge make sure theres a good amount of argon being fed into the tube when welding as there will still be spikes if theres not enough gas. i personally wouldnt dress back any of the welds as your going to lose strenght as you cant judge how much weld/pipe your taking away plus i think if you take your time you cant beat nice tig welding

rs combi

talking of tig welding is there such a thing as a cheap tig welder so i can do stainless and alloy at home / well in the garage lol

dont want to spend megga money

zetaboostboy522bhp

you will need a ac/dc to do stainless and alloy . half decent one will cost around Ł1500/2000 mark , a decent ac tig is about Ł500

cheers paul

rs combi

thanks mate something to think of

so with ac you can only do mild steel ?

cozzfather

iTrader: (1)

lets see some pics of decent tig welding eh lads,i have old school bmx's from the early to later 1980's and they are chromoloy 4130 tigged and the welds are very nice,from a early age i liked my welding done right and yeah you can't beat tig .

mark have you still got yer v8 escort cos ??

Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

Yes mate, I came close to selling up due to lack of time and money but with luck early next year I will get the engine mocked up in position and will need to make some headers, engine mounts etc.

Some nice welds here, nothing to do with me though !

http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...28&postcount=4

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=299587

Mark