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TIG welding hotside question.

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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:05 AM
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Default TIG welding hotside question.

I was looking at the stainless Y pipe that Thunder built for my car years ago and the weld beads are so flat & clean that I suspect they may have fusion welded it and used on filler. Have any of you welded your hotsides with just fusion welds?
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:06 AM
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It is normally bes to use filler so you can get full penetration.

Some welders will do a root pass and then use a 'looks pass' to clean the weld...have you had any issues?
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by 70Stang
It is normally bes to use filler so you can get full penetration.

Some welders will do a root pass and then use a 'looks pass' to clean the weld...have you had any issues?
Yeah I was practicing on 1/16 plate just laying some stringers, I was using 3/32 filler and it was a bit messy like I was adding too much filler. I plan to try using a smaller rod (.045) and see how it goes.

Here's a pic of the weld that I suspect is a fusion weld, what to you think?

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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:33 AM
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Like 70stang said, you really need to use filler. Material and thickness really determines if you need a root pass. It is possible that your y pipe was tigged and they used a smaller filler rod and wider bead so it looks flatter.

Edit: I can't see your picture at work since images are blocked but I will take a look when I get home later for you.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by 69vette
Like 70stang said, you really need to use filler. Material and thickness really determines if you need a root pass. It is possible that your y pipe was tigged and they used a smaller filler rod and wider bead so it looks flatter.

Edit: I can't see your picture at work since images are blocked but I will take a look when I get home later for you.
Thanks, also what filler rod should I use, 308?
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by WS6HUMMER
Thanks, also what filler rod should I use, 308?
What grade stainless are you welding? 304, 321, etc.? 308 filler is correct for 304 stainless.

Last edited by 69vette; Jun 24, 2008 at 11:05 AM.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 11:20 AM
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that pipe does look like it ws done with filler, but sparingly
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 69vette
What grade stainless are you welding? 304, 321, etc.? 308 filler is correct for 304 stainless.
I'm looking at some builder kits at columbia river, I could 304 or 409, whats the different & what rod do I need for 409?

Originally Posted by smokinHawk
that pipe does look like it ws done with filler, but sparingly
Thanks, I was using 3/32 to practice and it was messy, think I'll try some .045 and see if I can make it look clean.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 02:11 PM
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409 is magnetic and can surface rust.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Fireball
409 is magnetic and can surface rust.

Thanks! 304 it is.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by WS6HUMMER
Thanks! 304 it is.
for all the lab testing I have done on 304, that stuff is awesome.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by smokinHawk
for all the lab testing I have done on 304, that stuff is awesome.
Thanks, its expensive but it wont rust and I dont have to pay to have it coated.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 03:50 PM
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You can fusion weld stainless tubing with a thickness of around sch.10
If done properly the joint will withstand hundreds of PSI.
Simply butting up two clean ends and welding them together with the appropriate heat will
penetrate the tubing creating a bead on the inside as well.

For a smooth bead on the inside of the tubing use argon as a purge.

You can add filler material as needed but be aware of the metal depositing on the inside of the tubing.

You see fusion processes performed in all sanitary food grade environments where the inside of the tubing can not have excessive penetration. This is done to alleviate the possibility of food product particles getting caught in the "penetrating weld"
If that would occur the stuck particle can spoil creating a contaminated batch.

Last edited by Derek @ EDO; Jun 24, 2008 at 04:02 PM.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Derek @ EDO
You can fusion weld stainless tubing with a thickness of around sch.10
If done properly the joint will withstand hundreds of PSI.
Simply butting up two clean ends and welding them together with the appropriate heat will
penetrate the tubing creating a bead on the inside as well.

For a smooth bead on the inside of the tubing use argon as a purge.

You can add filler material as needed but be aware of the metal depositing on the inside of the tubing.

You see fusion processes performed in all sanitary food grade environments where the inside of the tubing can not have excessive penetration. This is done to alleviate the possibility of food product particles getting caught in the "penetrating weld"
If that would occur the stuck particle can spoil creating a contaminated batch.

Very interesting info, thanks!
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 05:07 PM
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Go with 309l filler rod, I used 1/16 filler with a orange 1/16 tungsten.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by ls1_chevelle
Go with 309l filler rod, I used 1/16 filler with a orange 1/16 tungsten.
Thanks.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by WS6HUMMER
Thanks.

Your very welcome. And to explain why....

You should only have to see at max 55 amps +/- to weld standard exhaust pipe in mild steel or stainless steel form. The effective range of 1/16 tungesten is right in that range, where-as 3/32 tungsten is pushing it on the effective range, you can do it with a very long taper. But 1/16 makes life easier.

For filler rod, 1/16 is what you want simply because it makes over depositing less likely to happen. You mentioned above that you were having this issue. It should go away now if you leave your technique alone, If I assume right.

Also, 309l filler metal is for disimilar metals like MS to SS. It works great on SS to SS aswell. Its just more useful, a bit more expensive, but it serves more then one purpose compared to a 308 filler rod.


Hope that helps a bit more
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 69vette
Edit: I can't see your picture at work since images are blocked but I will take a look when I get home later for you.
Looks like it had filler rod but it's not the best picture to tell. 304 should be fine for what you want to do. My turbo headers are 321 but most that I build are 304 or ms and then coated. I would just use 308 filler with the 304 stainless but if you want to spend more money 309 will work also as stated above.
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 69vette
Looks like it had filler rod but it's not the best picture to tell. 304 should be fine for what you want to do. My turbo headers are 321 but most that I build are 304 or ms and then coated. I would just use 308 filler with the 304 stainless but if you want to spend more money 309 will work also as stated above.
Originally Posted by ls1_chevelle
Your very welcome. And to explain why....

You should only have to see at max 55 amps +/- to weld standard exhaust pipe in mild steel or stainless steel form. The effective range of 1/16 tungesten is right in that range, where-as 3/32 tungsten is pushing it on the effective range, you can do it with a very long taper. But 1/16 makes life easier.

For filler rod, 1/16 is what you want simply because it makes over depositing less likely to happen. You mentioned above that you were having this issue. It should go away now if you leave your technique alone, If I assume right.

Also, 309l filler metal is for disimilar metals like MS to SS. It works great on SS to SS aswell. Its just more useful, a bit more expensive, but it serves more then one purpose compared to a 308 filler rod.


Hope that helps a bit more
Thanks alot guys, this thread has really paid off for me I am learning so much.

Gonna pick up some 309 because I'm sure @ some point I will have to weld some MS to SS.
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