Stainless to mild with O/A

[Shedendman]

First of all its not structural nor load bearing etc etc its more of an artistic project
I've to weld some stainless to a mild steel frame,i dont know what grade the stainless is all i can say its from an old kitchen work surface(which i suppose answers that one)
All i'm after is,can it be done with O/A,what filler rods and if any flux should i use and basically how to go about it,ie prep and technic
Migging it is out of the question,so is MMA,fact being theres no electricky to hand

 

[ronan]

You need a special flux for stainless i think ?

 

[Rrunnach]

You could braze it?

 

[Shedendman]

yer i have read that,but didnt find out what type

 

[doubleboost]

Braze or silver solder

 

[Shedendman]

You could braze it?

thats the route i'd like to take
Brass rods?

 

[Rrunnach]

I don't think you would go fa wrong with a bog standard SIF flux and brazing rod.

 

[Shedendman]

I don't think you would go fa wrong with a bog standard SIF flux and brazing rod.

Sounds like the solution to me,i'll give that a go as long as the things in and fixed as its no prob,the weld that attaches to the frame will have a dab of paint over it anyway

 

[Shedendman]

I've read that the SS will go black using O/A is that true,if so does it come off with a wire brush?

 

[piman]

Hello Stalwart,

this is something I do from time to time. Yes it cleans up OK. Take care to not overheat the stainless as the braze won't then take. If it happens you need to let it cool and clean the stainless back to a bright finish and re heat.

Alec

 

[HughF]

I use easyflo SS grade flux and easyflo silver solder, easy job...

 

[drmico60]

Whilst brazing will make a good structural joint between mild steel and stainless the use of a braze/silver solder will exacerbate corrosion on the mild steel around the joint if the article is to be used outside or in a wet environment.
Just something to bear in mind.
Mike

 

[awemawson]

When I did a welding course years back, I was surprised when the instructor mended another lecturers stainless exhaust on the bench as a demonstration joining in mild steel sections using normal mild steel rods. It worked absolutely fine. That was with O/A as it was an O/A bit of the course.

 

[Bill Edwards]

When I did a welding course years back, I was surprised when the instructor mended another lecturers stainless exhaust on the bench as a demonstration joining in mild steel sections using normal mild steel rods. It worked absolutely fine. That was with O/A as it was an O/A bit of the course.

Yes, that works just fine. The only problem with it is that it's not stainless any longer - i.e that the repair sections and welds are mild steel and will rust.